Delaware Valley College - Cornucopia Yearbook (Doylestown, PA)

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28 THE CLEANER QZQ iQZQf3 , p Harry Schuffman Ladies and Gentlemen: Three short years have rolled their course, since first we enter- ed this institution. Three short years, indeed. But momentous not only in the history of our own lives, but in that of theen- tire world. Whilst we have here labored in active, constructive work, in the forming and acquir- ing p of agricultural attainments for future service, the European nations, A engaged in ruthless warfare have committed them- selves to plunder, slaughter and destruction. But what is more, this awful conflagration, this montsrous cataclysm, has descended upon our own country, upon our own United States, and with consum- ing hands has drawn us into a World War. Already the entire country has been turned into an armed encampment. Already the blood of our best manhood has been shed upon the battle- helds of France. Already there loom in every home and house- hold the spectres that .follow in the wake of war-the horrors of want, of cold, of hunger, of starvation. Stravation! What a word un- thinkable - what a condition unbelievable! Starvation in America, the producer of bread among the nations! But such is the case indeed: 'for that is the future of war-not fighting, but famineg not the slaying of men, but the bankruptcy of the nations, and the breaking up of their whole social organizationf The streess of the food situa- tion is painfully apparent. The appointment of .a Food Control- eer and food boards, the exist- ence of food campaigns and war gardens are but a few aspects of the problem. These are supple- mented with cries of conserve, save, economize, spare. And withal, the prices of food weigh heavily on the people. What is the solution of the problem? Assuredly the pleas for economy are of little avail, if the substance is lacking. On- ly in increased production can the situation be mitigated, if not entirely relieved. But herein lie many difliculties. Abnomal pri- ces of feeds and fertilizers, thx nxing of food prices, and th increased cost of labor and ma- terials have been extreme dis- couragement to the farmer. Moreover, the call to arms has drawn skilled men from the farms to the camps and the trenches, resulting in a threat- ening shortage of farm labor. To solve just such distressing agricultural problems has been the basic principle upon which the National Farm School was founded. To meet and avetrt just such a crises as present us. had been the vision of its found- er, nearly twenty-one years ago. iThe school, our Ailma Materw now in its approaching man- hood of existence, has grown

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THE GLEANER 27 idiosyncracies of an hallucina- tion that farming was a deli- cate and dainty profession, and have since learned better, through our guidance and a lit- tle help from the faculty, we leave 'this Farm School Gold Mine, a glittering heap situated in the rear of the Main Barn. Guard it carefully, watch tend- erly o'er its welfare, for remem- ber that it is the farmer's proffit, yea, his truest Liberty Bond. And you, Freshmen-No longer shall ye be as blots on the beautiful landscape, nor as derelicts on the ocean of life, for today we loosen the fetters which have held ye fast to your restricted world, for today we lift thee on the wings of lofty aspir- ations and final realizations in- to the celestial realms of Jun- iorhood. Now you may trans- fer your Freshman caps, signs ,f insigniiicance, which we on you for the mere pittance of fifty shekels, to your incoming successors, but you shall re- member to be lenient with them, for though they shall be a green crop, you have but just matured. Being conscious of the uncer- tainity of your lives, since our all-protecting care has been withdrawn from you, and com- placently recognizing our men- tal and moral superiority, we make all effort to see that you, our beneficiaries, duly receive all that we have so profusely showered upon you. In witness whereof, We, the Class of Nine- teen Hundred and Eighteen, do, hereby, on this tlwenty-fourth day of February, 1918, sign our names and affix our seal to this Testament, the final revelation of our goodwill. Sworn to before: Izzie A. Nutt, A-dam Swindler, Augusta Wind, Hugo Onn, Attorneys-at-Law. .1-.L-,1-1 J .

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x THE GLEANER 29 from a Back to the Soil move- ment in a time of peace to a Farm is to Arm program in this period of world war. It is, there fore, with a feeling of joy and pride that we, the 1918 Class of the National Farm School, are about to realize these anticipations. Pride that we are to enter into the agricul- tural defense of the nation, joy that we have been led thru the bewildering maze of our ignor- ance into the realms of practi- cal and scientific agriculture, wherein we bserve a promise and scope of work such as we little dreamed of when first we entered here. But with these feelings of joy, there are commingled those of sorrow and regret. Fellow- schoolmates, we are about to leave you, to enter a bustling, unforgiving, strife-ridden world. at is with heavy hearts, indeed, that we sever the relationships that have bound you to us as comrades in joy and sorrow, vic- tory and defeat! Your good companionship, your associa- tions, your loyalty, shall ever linger with us as pleasant recol- lections and fond memories. In your hands we leave every- thing' pertaining to the institu- tion thatf has been near and dear to us. Promote its welfare, cherish its cause, and further its activities-the Gleaner, the Lit- erary Society, the Athletic Asso- ciation. In your staunch sup- port of them, may your aim be A Bigger Farm School, a Bet- ter Farm School. To our honored President, Dr. Krauskopf, we leave our humble admiration and praise. To his brilliant conceptions, and untiring 'eii'orts. we owe the of this institution. It lies not in our poor power to add to the glowing tribute and wide recog- nition that has been accorded him in his work. May his re- ward be in that which has ever been nearest his heart, a school of magnified dimensions. To our Director, Mr. Ostro- lenk, and our former Director. Dr. VVashburn, to our Faculty and Matrons, Board of Mana- gers and Friends, we bid a fond farewell. For their untiring ef- forts in our behalf, for their guidance and their teachings, for their very leniency- we shall cherish their memory with es- teem and love that shall never fade. Then. Fellow Schoolmates. Director and Faculty, Board of Managers and honored Presi- dent, the Class of 1918 bids you all farewell-an affectionate, grateful farewell. And you, Fellow-Classmates! Up and out into a world seething with strife! Followers of the Green and Gold, you shall fight fearlessly. Each bump in the road, each setback shall testify to your perseverance by spur- ring you on-all of you in your several ways, in this most noble profession you have chosen-to earned success and reward, for the honor of yourselves and the glory of your Alina Mater! Fare thee well!