Judge — May 11, 1918 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical piece addresses the WWI-era farm labor shortage. The headline quotes a daily paper reporting two million women would work farms that summer, then argues this shortage isn't entirely bad for farmers. The cartoons humorously depict farm life's harsh realities: Ma forcing Pa to work on strict schedules ("weeding lessons are working overtime"), the minimal cost of chicken feed, and Ma monitoring hired help (Cyrus) to ensure he stays visible—suggesting farm workers needed close supervision or had tendency to shirk. The satire cuts two ways: it mocks farmers' difficulties managing labor while also poking fun at rural life's demands and the domineering role of farm wives in enforcing discipline. The drawings by E.W. Kemble emphasize rustic, folksy characters facing practical wartime challenges.