Patriotism and Production An Agricultural Conference was held in the Town Hall, Caledonia, on the afternoon and evening of March 2nd. From the standpoint of attendance the meetings were a disappointment, only thirty-five being present in the afternoon, and fifty at night. But those who were present were a good representative lot and they were well repaid for turning out. Several men expressed themselves as highly pleased with the character of the speeches delivered, the opinion of one on the evening meeting being that it was the best meeting of the kind he had ever attended. The afternoon meeting was presided over by Mr. D. Z. Gibson, who filled the position admirably. . The principal speakers were Messrs. John Fixter, Commission of Conservation, Ottawa, and A. W. Peart, Burlington. Mr. Fixter spoke on "Farm Crops," laying particular emphasis on seed selection, the treatment of grain for smut, and the proper preparation of the seed bed. Mr. Peart reviewed the live stock situation, and suggested how our animal husbandry practices might be bettered. In the evening Mr. Fixter's remarks were directed more to the townspeople, encouraging them to grow more garden stuff and small fruits in their neglected back-yards, and thus do their part in increasing production. Mr. Peart dealt largely with the labor problem and outlined his own methods of keeping the boy and the hired man on the farm, methods which have proved to be satisfactory. In addition to these men the evening session was addressed by Arthur Pratt, M.P.P. for Sourth Norfolk, and Geo. L. Woltz, District Representative of the Ontario Department of Agriculture. Mr. Pratt's address was of an entirely patriotic nature, stirring the people up to do their duty in the face of the present crisis. Mr. Woltz spoke in a general way on the topic of increased production, and touched upon the work of the District Representative and the use the farmers should make of their district agricultural office. The evening meeting was presided over by Harrison Arrell in his usual good form. Although not directly connected with agriculture Mr. Arrell is evidently thoroughly conversant with the problems which confront the agricultural populace at the present time, and his remarks on the farmer's position, his privilege and duty, and his attitude toward the present crisis were very timely. The slim attendance, already referred to, was the one thing which marred the success of the conference. Lack of advertising cannot be blamed for it, for the meeting was given unusual prominence, especially in the town. Lack of interest, particularly on the part of the townspeople, seems to be only explanation. When the government goes to a lot of trouble and expense arranging such a campaign and sending good speakers from as far away as Ottawa, the least the people can do is to turn out and show a little interest. But no ! they stick in the house or around the street corners, pass sarcastic comments on all such work in general, and growl because they have to pay for it. Such lack of interest shows the need for a general awakening, which nothing short of a German bomb will accomplish.