284 THE FARMER AND THE NEW DAY 



Contagious diseases of farm animals take a toll of more 

 than a quarter of a billion dollars annually. More than half of 

 this loss is due to controllable diseases, such as hog cholera, 

 black-leg and Texas fever. The federal government, cooper- 

 ating with the states, could profitably expand its intensive regu- 

 latory services so as to embrace every important live-stock dis- 

 trict in this country. 



MOBILIZING FARM LABOR 



One of the principal limiting elements of food production is 

 the labor supply on the farm. Indiscriminate enlistment from 

 the farms with no plan for labor replacement will reduce food 

 production below its present low level. 



The plan for public defense should include as definite a 

 program for enlistment for food supply as for service at the 

 front. 



In addition to more than one-half of those applying for en- 

 listment and rejected because of unfitness for military service, 

 there are more than two millions of boys between the ages of 

 15 and 19 years in the cities and towns not now engaged in 

 productive work vital to the nation in the present war emer- 

 gency. These constitute the most important hitherto unor- 

 ganized and unutilized labor resources available for this emer- 

 gency. 



In consideration of all these facts the plan of military enlist- 

 ment should be broadened so as to include in a national service 

 those who, by reason of their age or physical condition, are 

 permanently or temporarily incapacitated for active military 

 duty but who are able to render to the government equally in- 

 dispensable service in the production of food, supplies and 

 munitions. 



This enlistment should include three classes: Men beyond 

 military age; men of military age but not accepted for active 

 military duty; and boys under age for enlistment. 



The government should make plans at once for the mobiliza- 

 tion of this important resource for the production of food and 



