2. By modifying our agricultural methods so that preference
is given to those which demand the least proportion of
manual labor....
All the associations which are fortunately so numerous in
our country, all the agricultural societies, all the
co-operative societies which are already formed, should
double their efforts to put at the disposition of their
members those implements which on account of their high
price are not available for the individual farmer.
Prices will rise after the war, but this, argues Professor Zolla, will
be beneficial rather than otherwise.
High prices will be offset by large production: this excess
of production will, however, follow on the activity of the
rural producer, and that activity will be maintained and
increased by high prices which always insure large profits.
In short, the rise in price wall be most favorable to the
agricultural interests just at a time when the difficulties
of obtaining labor will come to swell the necessary expenses
of production. The crisis which might be in store is thus
dissipated and the agricultural situation remains much as it
was before the war--that is to say, very satisfactory.
The losses undergone will be considerable in the invaded
regions, the obstacles which the farmer must overcome will
be great but not insurmountable, but success will recompense
the valor and the hard labor of our countrymen. And to be
just we must not forget that this will be made possible by
the work of the French women in the fields.