Without Plowing

Without Plowing - What?

"I Have Built My Home on the Fields of Earth; It Is Mine by the Right of the Plow"

by B.W. Price

(In Family Herald and Weekly Star)

Autumn brings added labor on farmlands, and agriculture takes on a new importance, for it is the season of preparation for winter, and for spring - the tiller of lands must think far ahead.  In many parts of the country plowing matches are held, and they provide not only extra labor but training in one of the great industries of the world - the turning of the sod.  This autumn there will be fewer plowing contests because many of Canada's skilled farm workers, as well as the youth of the land, are giving themselves to another kind of work - that of saving our country for future farm workers and the people who depend upon them for their existence.

As the leaves change their colors and the day's light grows shorter, farmers hasten to the fields to demonstrate to the world the importance of turning the sod, also that agriculture in its many phases is the basis of our food supply.  Without plowing - what?

Many a field heretofore practically idle - so far as real production is concerned - has been changed from its idleness to the rich brown turf ready for spring planting in the herculean effort to feed the world, while many, many men are holding the sword instead of the ploughshare.

How Adam tilled the land is not known to us - what does it matter so long as farmers of today know their job?  Historic records refer to plowing in a casual way - to show that it is as unnecessary to explain the operation as the human race itself.  Poets of olden days did not enthuse to any extent over the plow, but Virgil told something about the foresight of the Roman farmer who trained a growing tree in the shape he wanted for a plow, then used his own strength and wits in "breaking the land".

Our pioneers used the sturdy ox in farming operations, then on the Sabbath used the same facilities in taking the family to divine service.  Quite recently we noticed a pair of oxen, driven by a youth, taking their part in a plowing contest.  Stoic calm was event in both oxen and driver; also we saw them finish the allotted portion along with others who had a fine matched pair of horses.

Another scene recalled was that of 16 boys, all under 20, competing for prizes in a plowing contest.  Stoic calm was seen here also.  A young lad guiding a pair of heavy draft horses, cutting straight furrows, provided a picture that gave evidence of another farmer in the making.  And in these keen competitions it was noted that the boys took defeat with a smile, but a look in their eyes told of determination to try again, and yet again.

A Member of Parliament, who has always taken keen interest in the work of young farmers, said before a large gathering:  "We can raise our own porridge, but not our coffee, we can raise our wheat, but it must to go the mill . . ." and another speaker added:  "The true statesman is the man who sees the need of other than his own country - and own farm . . ."

Hence the great need of co-operation and widened knowledge.

So all along the line, even stretching across our broad Dominion, across the seas and war devastated lands of Europe, there is need of plowing, of co-operation between plowmen, while we who stand by watching with commendable curiosity and a certain amount of jealousy, offer congratulations and repeat the oft-quoted phrase:  Speed the Plow!