FRENCH CROPS

Evening Star, Issue 15606, 24 September 1914, Page 4

FRENCH CROPS

REAPED BY WOMEN. Tht* Premier of Franco IM. Vivia-ni) addressed an appeal to the "women of France" on August 6. asking tlirm to complete tha work of gathering- the crops left unfinished by the men who have been called to arms. '•The wheat," said I.JIO Premier, "stands unre.-iyied, and the time of vintage approaches. I appeal to your hardihood and to that of your children, whose ape alone, not their courage, withholds them from the fiiht'iig line. I ask you to maintain the life of our fields, to finish this year's harvert and prepare for that of the next year. You cannot render a grer.ter service to you* country." The Minister cf Agriculture, in co-opera-iion with the principal millers, grain, merchants, and manufacturers of agricultural machinery, has organised an elaborate system to assure supplies for both the army and the civil population. The mayors in the country- districts draw up lists of men and machines, which will be concentrated where most needed for agricultural operations. f lie Minister of Marine placed 20,000 naval reservist' 1 , too old to fight, at the disport of the farmers. Measures ave also being taken to send men from' fie citf-s who bare been thrown out of work by the -war into the farming districts, and to import fpreign farm laborer*. Tho manufacturers of agricultural machinery have placed ril their stock at the dnposai of tlwj Ministry. A. special advisory committee to carry out the plan has been appointed.