Keep that fifth column off the farm front

This cartoon appeared in a June 1, 1940 issue of the Canadian Countryman, and framed weeds as a dangerous fifth column threatening the war effort against the Axis powers. This cartoon shows the importance of agriculture (or the “farm front”) to the Allied war effort. This was especially apparent after the Fall of France in June 1940, as Canadian farm produce became a critical lifeline to Great Britain. In fact, by the end of the war, Canada was the source of 54% of Britain’s wheat, 39% of its bacon, 24% of its cheese, and 15% of its eggs.