Letters, Nov. 27, 1978

The New Farmer

To the Editors:

Your article on big-time farming [Nov. 6] was a refreshing insight into a business that few people regard as such. The amazing bounty that agricultural scientists like Mr. Benedict are able to produce is a tremendous hope to starving people the world over, and the best way to counter our rising import costs.

Ron Soussa Boston

American food, like American farming techniques, will never be the hope of the lesser developed countries. Our current large-scale farming practices are built on our ability to squander cheap energy on fertilizers, mechanization and irrigation, not on a desire to increase the efficiency of human toil without replacing it. As energy gets continually more expensive and the overused water tables continue to drop, we shall reap as we have sown.

Stephen L. Blythe Roslindale, Mass.

I'm happy to see that it's still possible for a young man, operating under what remains of the free-enterprise system, to make a success of farming. However, let's not forget that this success is largely built on the increasing concentration of a limited and highly vital resource (land) in the hands of fewer and fewer individuals. Now I'm wondering how soon it will be before moated castles, surrounded by hovels for the serfs, begin to sprout on those precious acres.

Steven G. Kruse, M.D. Huxley, Iowa

You have called the shots straight down the line. I am a farmer in the 300-to-400-acre bracket, and it is not enough anymore to work by the sweat of one's brow. The hard work now is pushing a pencil and a pocket calculator. Those who talk about our tractors with air conditioning and radios should know that we who still must drive a tractor must also plan and keep up with the changing markets on our radios.

H. Wayne Cooper Gumboro, Del.

I'm glad I still know small farmers; people who care for the land and don't feel the need to rip out lovely old shade trees. Mr. Benedict is no farmer; he's just another Big Businessman.

Betty Hamilton Evansville, Wis.

Premature Award

The Nobel Peace Prize [Nov. 6] will no doubt encourage Sadat and Begin in their arduous task, but it is this writer's view that the awards were premature. A successful peace settlement should bring world recognition to Sadat and Begin, or to whoever accomplishes it, only after it happens.

Nicholas A. Bucur Cleveland

By not including President Carter in the award, the Nobel Committee has proved that the Peace Prize has no meaning whatsoever.

Magda K. Jensen Oakland, Calif.

Wall of Democracy

After reading "Justice's Wall," about building a fence between parts of the U.S. and Mexico [Oct. 30], I'm having trouble determining which side of the fence the barbarians are on. Have we decided to protect ourselves from the world, or the world from us? Will our next step be two hundred yards of minefield next to the fence?

And what shall we call this wonder that would make Brezhnev and company envious? How about the Great Wall of Democracy or the Great Wall of "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," etc.

Stuart Craig Smith San Diego