The broad ax., 1914-04-25
GRASS. GARDENS AND FLOWERS,

We are in hearty sympathy with the
sentiment recently expressed by q noted
authority on child welfare, that "a
child needs grass as much ss it needs
a bed" OF course, the writer meant
that children should have grass plats,
not alone to look at, but to ron and
play on, to enjoy both by sight and
touch.
Then along with the fresh, green
grass, if possible, there should be flow
ers and trees and birds in order that
the children's surroundings may be
both beautiful and inspiring to their
hearts and minds. These are to be
had in all our parks and in all the res
ident districts, especially those in the
outlying portions Of the city. But
there are neighborhOOds where there
are neither grass nor flowers nor birds
nor trees; and where to have all of
these pleasant and joy-giying surround
ings is out of the question. Still even
in such localities there is much that
may be done to make them brighter
and more attractive places 10 live in.
1t is nearly always possible to get grass
and flowers to grow in both the front
and back yards There are thousands
of dirty, rubbish covered back yards in
Chicago that could be easily turned
into little beauty spots, just by sowing
grass seed and planting few of the
good old fashioned garden flowers.
In addition too, there are wonderful
possibilities in the back garden. You
viii be astonished at the amount Of
nice fresh table vegetables, such As let
tuee, onions, radishes, peas and beans
that can be grown on . small plot Of
ground. Radishes, lettuce and onions
can be planted every two weeks all
through the growing season, thus proVid-
ing q continual supply of these delicious
and healthful table vegetables. The
little back yard garden can be cult
waited at cd hours and persons who
are penned up In the Office all day
should find this work both pleasant and
profitable from the standpoint Of phys
zeal health and enjoyment Try hav-
ing back yard garden this year and
see how much real pleasure, to say
nothing Of the good things to eat, you
win be able.to get out Of II. And If
the younger members Of the family are
old enough to help by al means have
them take q hand in turning the back
yard into . place Of both use and
beauty.
There are q good many reasons why,
every year, about this tina, We urge
people to plant things; among them We
win mention the following. A dirty
back yard il both q menace and . dis
grace to the nsiehborhood in which Il
il located. The back yard devoted to
raising flowers or vegetables or both,
il . credit to the nsighborhoOd and q
blessing to those who plant and main
tain il. To tsnd flower or vegetable
garden takes people out Of do0rs, and
gives them Just the kind Of sxsreiSs
that il good for them Especially doe
this apply to those who work indoors
for al such back yard gardens should
mean increased bodily health and vigor
which alone Il worth working for, Il
say nothing Of other benefits obtained
Than again, idle land and Idle people
are Of no value 70 the community, bud
Get both 10 work and manifold bles-
sings are sure to follow. Theirs are
Il il elHinsd, 3 great many idle msn II
Chicago. There are also = great many
patches Of idls ground. II only the id.
men and the idle ground could b
brought together IN the right way, /
large part Of ohieagoss supply Of SUN
mar vegetables eOsId Be produced righi
here a home