On account of the War, through 191 7 there has been a serious 
shortage of labor on farms and especially of harvesters to gather crops 
after they had been largely increased to meet the needs of our own and 
other coim tries. We began early to secure women to assist in the 
handling of large crops of cherries, apples, pears and plums. Instruc- 
tion was given them in the process of thinning apples on nearly 8,000 
trees, work that much improves the fruit. 
We have found from experience that women are better adapted to 
this work than men, for the reason that they follow instructions more 
closely and keep to the rule of allowing six inches of space between 
all apples on the branches, while most men, seeing the ground covered 
with apples, let up considering that the work is wasteful, when their 
work often has to be done over again. The motives of the men are 
right but their practice is not. 
In assorting and packing fruit we find women are more adept, — 
by intuition they see more small defects, and reject more specimens 
that are not strictly up to the required grade. During the past season 
a large crop of apples was successfully harvested and sent to market, 
with twenty-five per cent less men than usual. A few well trained 
women assisted in picking and others were steadily upon the work of 
assorting and packing. Careful personal instruction was given to the 
workers in the orchards and in the packing house, railroad officials 
were given timely notice of the number of cars and when needed, 
with the result that with increased efficiency of a less number of 
workers the large crop of apples was secured and marketed in fifteen 
days less than usual, while over a wide section, much injury was sus- 
tained by the freezing of apples and potatoes before they could be 
gathered. 
In meeting Farmers Clubs, the members of which in a few instances 
have employed groups of college girls the past year, much satisfaction 
has been expressed and favorable opinion given upon the efficiency 
of their work. 
The problem of labor in food production in 191 8 is far from cer- 
tainty or satisfaction in its outlook. There are many women who are 
forced to support themselves and their famihes. Through prompt 
action many of these may be utilized upon farms. They are much 
needed in farmers families, giving part time to household work and 
part time to work out in the fields in planting, cultivating, and har- 
vesting crops. 
College girls have demonstrated the past year, that in a short time 
they may be mentally and physically well prepared to render efficient 
service in farm work. From their environment and training they are 
able to quickly grasp the requirements and to adjust themselves to 
new lines of work. We know that with ten minutes instruction given 
in the use of a hoe, in the culture of corn, beans, potatoes in field or 
