ASSISTANCE TO FARMING 153 
Student Farm-Labor Squads. 
The second task, that of combating the general reduction of the 
cultivated area, required a much broader organization and necessi- 
tated, in the first place, the bringing in of labor from other sections 
of the country. It seemed as if this demand for labor might be satis- 
fied by the organization of undergraduates, prisoners of war, and 
refugees as labor squads, as well as by using the troops stationed in 
the interior of the country. 
The student farm-labor squads were organized in many places 
partly on the initiative of the school authorities and partly on that 
of the students themselves. The Minister of Education, in a spe- 
cial ordinance encouraged such enterprises. After the approval of 
the movement by the Emperor himself, the formation of student 
labor squads acquired in the eyes of the school authorities an almost 
obligatory character. In the majority of instances these squads were 
organized in the schools, transported to their destination, and main- 
tained at the expense of the zemstvos. They were put to work 
according to the instructions of village assemblies, volost relief com- 
mittees, codperative societies, etc., and were under the general su- 
pervision of the zemstvo agronomic staffs. Results varied according 
to the personal qualifications of those in charge. It was found by 
experience that the greatest benefit was obtained from the work of 
those squads which were equipped with machines, as well as with 
skilled mechanics for their proper handling, and which were placed 
under the direct control of zemstvo agronomists. Often, however, 
individuals sent out from the squad for work in this or that par- 
ticular peasant household performed their duties successfully. At 
first the peasants looked askance upon these young people and in 
some places even received them with good-natured mockery. Gradu- 
ally, however, they became used to the innovation, fully appreciat- 
ing the eagerness of the lads to help them in an emergency. The 
result was a steadily increasing demand for their services, and we 
find in zemstvo reports references to truly touching farewells ar- 
ranged in the villages on the departure of these youthful friends of 
the peasantry. 
As a rule, student squads were quartered in the buildings of the 
zemstvo schools, and fed partly at zemstvo expense and partly with 
provisions given direct by the peasants. Their work in most cases