additional millions of men from the land for the battle-line during the last few months 

 must have a widespread effect in the reduction of next year's European crops. The 

 shortage of European-grown food in 1916 is therefore likely to be a serious factor in 

 the world's grain markets. It is not unlikely that continental Europe will experience 

 famine conditions before next summer is over. In that event the purchases of the 

 Allied nations from exporting countries outside of Europe will be greatly expanded, 

 and prices of wheat and other breadstuffs may easily rule high. There is every reason 

 for saying that the wise Canadian farmer will make all possible preparations to increase 

 his production of foodstuffs in 1916. 



The longer the war lasts, the more will farm products be needed. 



THE SITUATION IN MANITOBA 



GEORGE BATHO, Manitoba Department of Agriculture. 



The agricultural situation in Manitoba is unprecedented. In 1915, according to 

 our official figures, our wheat yield was 84 per cent, greater than in 1914, and a very 

 striking increase is also to be noted in oats and barley. But, while this appears very 

 favourable, there are quite a number of less encouraging facts. 



The first of these is that in some fields the grain in the middle of January still 

 stands in the stooks. Of just what value it will be when an effort is made to haul and 

 thresh it, even the best farmers do not know at time of writing. 



Then there is a comparatively small amount of land prepared for crop. The 

 December, 1915, crop report of this Department presented the following figures: — 



Land prepared for Crop 



1915 1914 



Breaking 193,144 175,336 



Summer Fallow 1,094,514 1,208,394 



Fall Ploughing " 1,509,002 2,733,885 



A very serious shortage of labour on our farms is now felt, and there is every reason 

 to expect this to become more acute as the season advances and recruiting continues. 

 In many cases elderly farmers whose sole dependence is either in their sons or in hired 

 help will, if the sons go to war, be forced to reduce their farming operations during 

 1916. Seeing that the ability to produce food is probably greater per man in Western 

 Canada than in any other part of the British Empire, and that food is urgently demanded 

 if the war is to be successfully prosecuted, the military authorities might very properly 

 direct their attention to the men of other callings and permit bona fide farmers and 

 farmers' sons as a class to remain at home to produce food. It is to be remembered 

 that one trained farm worker is worth much more than an untrained man who tries to 

 take his place. Many Manitoba farmers are very emphatic in their statement that the 

 enlistment of every experienced farm worker enrolled from now forward will mean a 

 proportionate reduction in the crop grown this season. 



If you have never felt the joy of doing something worth while; accomplished 

 something that is of benefit to your fellow man and to posterity, do it in 1916, 

 because of the satisfaction it brings. 



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