40 PROTECTION OF PLANTS. 1^1 /-18 



INCREASED CROP PRODUCTION— A SYMPOSIUM. 

 THE DUTY OF THE HOUR 



(For this Society and Every One of Its Members) 



By George Maheiix, Provincial Entomologist. 



The present situation presents a great variety of angles and points for 

 discussion: it is not my intention to give here an analysis that would, moreover, be 

 necessarily incomplete. I simply want to draw attention to one fact, one only, 

 but probably the most important, to bring out an essential problem Jor the world, 

 and to conclude by pointing out the means at our disposal of meeting the crisis 

 and of solving the problem. 



I— The Situation. 



First, the fact: It is simple, it is brutal, and everybody admits it except the 

 wilfully blind. The army of consumers threatens to overrun the producers; 

 the equilibrium seems broken on this side and the world is proceeding towards 

 starvation. The fate of our armies, our own fate, depends on the readjustment 

 between production and consumption. We have to choose between two opposite 

 things: starvation, defeat and ruin or increased production, victory and prosperity. 

 In this alternative, the people of Canada have made a choice which is all to their 

 honor ; they maintain that the task entrusted to them is not too heavy, and they 

 are determined to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. Governments and indi- 

 viduals evidently realize the situation, and this fact is an essential element of 

 success. Everybody is desirous of providing the armies with another sinew of 

 war, bread: the soldier's ration. 



II — The Increased Production Campaign. 



In our Province, the honourable Minister of Agriculture has taken the neces- 

 sary steps to encourage and stimulate particularly the production of nutritious 

 food substances necessary to fighting men : pork, wheat, and beans. 



The organization has already shown itself equal to the task and success is 

 assured. Quebec will supply all the bread required by her population; Quebec will 

 furnish to the Allies a considerable surplus of all these products as well as butter, 

 cheese, etc. 



But the Government will go further in the matter. Its desire is that the 

 Province may grow fruits and vegetables not only for home consumption but 



