Part II.] VALUE OF CORN. 85 



THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A KERNEL OF CORN. 



GEORGE M. TWITCHELL, AUBURN, MAINE. 



Because of war with all its terrors, the destruction of ma- 

 terial property as well as life, the transfer of 40,000,000 men 

 from the producing to the consuming class, the horror of 

 devastation of cities, towns, estates, and homes, and the 

 necessities of untold thousands of dependents, old and young, 

 a new cry has arisen, and slowly we are coming to realize the 

 necessity of conserving, that life in the future may be possible. 



Through the liberality of nature pouring out so lavishly in 

 rich harvests all over the world, year after year, men grew 

 neglectful of that economy which alone can make for true 

 comfort, prosperity and success. Waste, waste, waste on every 

 hand has been the rule of the American people, increasing 

 yearly. Whether on the farm or in town, the paths of present 

 satisfaction and ease have been sought, the value of time 

 seemingly neglected, and the necessity of utilization of the 

 best there is in the individual not thought necessary. 



If this demand for conservation comes home to the indi- 

 vidual worker with sufficient force to insure deliberate, intel- 

 ligent action it will prove one of the greatest blessings result- 

 ing from this terrible struggle, leading to the plainer, simple 

 life, the utilization of home-grown products and agents now 

 neglected, the growing of the food of support for the family, 

 and the more critical study of all individual expenditures. 



Xo class is to be more profoundly affected by these changing 

 conditions than the farmer. Forced through shortage of labor 

 and labor complications to get back to one-man farming, the 

 crops to be grown must be those best adapted to the indi- 

 vidual farm, and most valuable in supplying the food of sup- 

 port for the family. Whether in selection and preparation of 

 the land, breeding and care of animals, or this great field of 



