THE FOOD CRISIS AND AMERICANISM 



farm is a factory wherein the soil elements are con- 

 verted into food stuffs. Hence, the same principles 

 and methods which have enabled American manufac- 

 turers to excel all others must be recognized and ap- 

 plied. 



One of the first is the combination and division of 

 labor, resulting in greater efficiency and output, and at 

 the same time minimizing equipment and investment, 

 and making a greater diversity of crops possible. In 

 this, as in all other business enterprises, only a small 

 percentage of men are found endowed with initiative 

 the ability to direct one's own efforts to his own 

 greatest good hence, it transpires, that four men, 

 one capable of directing the efforts of all on 320 acres 

 of land, will produce larger and better crops and mar- 

 ket same with less expenditure of time and labor, than 

 will five men on 400 acres, independently working 80 

 acres each. To make my meaning more clear: The 

 operative in a New England shoe factory is now work- 

 ing shorter hours for larger pay under better condi- 

 dions, and is in every material way better off than 

 was his grandfather the independent cobbler. 

 Why? Chiefly, if not solely, because a higher degree 

 of intelligence, or an especially qualified intelligence, 

 directs his efforts. And why does this higher intelli- 

 gence direct the efforts of his workmen? Simply be- 

 cause it pays, and until the farm is placed on the 

 same basis as other factories, the American farms and 

 farmers will continue , toward a constantly lowering 

 level. 



Great landed estates, such as exist abroad, would be 

 both undesirable and undemocratic, as other vast ac- 



