do everything in his power to help conserve and
increase the food supply. All over the world this supply is low. The
whole of Europe looks to us for a goodly proportion of its daily
bread, and we've got to meet that expectation. We've got to make this
a year of bumper crops, even at a time when labor will naturally be
scarcer than ever. And to help out in this crisis the men at the head
of the Boy Scout movement have adopted a motto--a slogan--which should be
first and foremost in every scout's mind until the war is over. 'Every
Scout to Feed a Soldier!' Isn't that fine? A scout with a hoe may equal
a man with a gun. The President himself has stated more than once
that a man may serve his country as effectually in the corn-field as at
the front. And how much more is this the duty of a boy whose age
makes it impossible for him to reach the firing-line. I've known you
fellows too long and too intimately to have any doubts as to your
responses to this appeal. Those of you who have home gardens that will
take all your time must look after them, releasing, if possible, some
man for other work. The others, I hope, will volunteer their services
to any one needing them, and I expect very soon to have an organized
clearing-house for farmers in the neighborhood needing help and boys
willing to furnish it. I may say that any one going into this will
be allowed to absent himself from the afternoon school session and all
day on Wednesdays. Later, the schools may be closed entirely for workers.
Now, I know this doesn't sound nearly so stirring and patriotic as
joining a military company and drilling and all that; but this isn't a
moment in which to pick and choose. The duty of each one of us is to
give himself where he is most needed. And, believe me, fellows, by
helping to plant and harvest you will be performing the highest sort of
service to your country and humanity. I want you to think this over
to-night, and from to-morrow on I'll be ready to take the names of
volunteers."

It was a rather silent crowd that filed out of the meeting-room a
little later. To the great majority Mr. Curtis's proposition certainly
didn't sound in the least interesting or alluring. On the contrary it
had a decidedly depressing effect, and several openly declared that
they'd be hanged if they'd spend the entire summer in that kind of
drudgery. But second thought, aided, perhaps, by a little solid advice at
home, wrought a change. The next afternoon the