396 THE WAR AND AGRICULTURE 



The next day, at the request of Mr. Trustram Eve, the Secre- 

 tary signed the following letter, which was also inserted in a 

 number of papers : 



THE HARVEST AND THE OUTLOOK. 



Sin, We, the undersigned, being secretaries of two of 

 the leading agricultural organisations (which are not in 

 session during harvest), desire in our individual capacities 

 to make one or two suggestions as to the action of agricul- 

 turists in the present emergency. The most urgent at the 

 moment is to gather in the harvest into stack we most 

 earnestly pray for fine weather for the purpose. In places 

 where labour is necessarily depleted we feel sure that farmers 

 will gladly welcome assistance, both paid and voluntary, 

 in this absolutely essential w r ork. There must be thousands 

 who, being robbed of their annual holiday and unable even 

 to return to their ordinary work, are anxious to do something 

 to help, but are debarred for sufficient reasons from active 

 military service. To them we would suggest that a few days 

 in the harvest field would afford a splendidly useful outlet 

 for their energies. The machinery of the local Labour 

 Exchanges can, we see from the Press, be used, or a bicycle 

 journey to neighbouring farmers might be undertaken. 



A word to farmers. " England expects every man to do 

 his duty," and w>e feel sure that the country can rely on the 

 farmers to " play the game " in the present crisis. There is 

 any amount of corn in the country just now, and a very large 

 amount on its way here. Some experts, indeed, say that 

 there will be a drop in price. We would earnestly ask farmers 

 who are now 7 beginning to sell their corn to avoid asking 

 absurd prices. No one will grudge farmers a reasonable 

 profit, regard being had to the existence of war ; but by 

 attempting to reap a selfish advantage by exacting enormous 

 prices farmers would (apart from all questions of duty and 

 honour in a national emergency) be adopting the surest 

 means of bringing about some form of State control and regu- 

 lation of agricultural produce, w^hich otherwise may not 

 become necessary. 



We have personally no doubt whatever that the great 

 majority of farmers can be trusted to " play the game," and 

 that with the help and organisation of millers and merchants 

 prices will be reasonable. This is not a time, however, for 

 any squeamishness in making an appeal. May we add how 

 confident we feel that we are voicing the general opinion of 

 agriculturists in expressing our admiration of the action of 

 the Government in the steps which they have already taken 

 in connection with the supply of food ? It is hoped to be 

 that by the patriotic methods of farmers and merchants 

 the Government may be spared the necessity (whatever the 



