Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-26
FOOD CAMPMGN IS LAUNCHED
Green Mountain Guard Of Boys
and Girls Being Organized.
The REV. Fraser MetsGer Of Randolph,
Director Of Food Production, DE.
cides to Raise $4,000 By Popu-
lar SubsCf1ption.

vision of the Rev. Fraser Metxger. direc-
tor Of food production and conservation.
cooperating with the state board of edu-
cation, every effort Ia being put forth to
help the Vermont public safety commit
tee In its efforts during the coming
months. that ex-Gov. c. w. Gates may
secure the best possible results when har-
vest comes next fall. On every hand DR..
fillegas and Mr. Metzger are receiving
the endorsement and support, that no ex-
pense may be needed from the state TO
carry out the program which is probably
the biggest yet undertaken by the safety
committee.
Two OF vermont's thoughtful persons
have contributed specially towards the
plans. man has given q sum of money
to be used in mapping out the agricultural
work of the committee while a woman of
means has given the money. that Miss
L. M. Cobb. who has been in charge OF
the domestic science in the schools OF
Jacksonville, may take charge OF the
canning of foods and fruits In the COM
ing months Sums of money can be used
for similar purposes In other branches OF
the work.
| Already the department has outgrown
its facilities. but this does not dampen
the ardor of those who are superintend-
ing the movement, and they will give
the boys and girls Of Vermont an oppor-
tunity in the coming months to show
their worth to the farmers Of the State
1t il one OF the biggest problems yet
attempted by the public safety committee
and already those in charge are COM
mencing to see results. As the new
branches develop the problems deepen.
but in Mr.. Metzger. whom DR.. Hillegas
drafted to direct the work among the
boys and girls. they as we'll as their par
ents are getting q great deal of valuable
Information.
1t has come to the attention of the
director of food production and conser-
walton that the people at large throughout
Vermont are not taking the food produce
ton question to be as serious as 1t really
! is at the present time. This is one of the
dra wbacks those in charge have to over
come and for which the director and his
associates will have to spend much time
and publicity. Speakers are being used
when available. but the demand for these
is greater than the supply Of those who
understand the situation. Rallies are
being held and othsr publicity given the
work, with profitable results
| Vermont stands out brighter than any
other State. for it was the first to realize
what was meant when the New England
colleges announced that certificates re-
ceived relative to students who have
given their time this spring in food grow
ing would be accepted by the colleges
as part of the entrance to colleges
this fall
Last week DR.. Hillegas met 100 SUPER
intendents and went over the plans which
they are to adopt in the coming weeks
that the boys and girls may play an i'm
lportant part in the food production this
fall. The colleges, high schools and agri-
cultural schools have taken hold Of the
plan with vim which gives those in the
work great encouragement. Every boy
and girl will receive liberal education
lin the coming weeks relative to the sub
ject of food growing and conserving.
That nothing may be taken from the
States appropriation. $500 will be raised
by popular subscription for the work
which Mr.. Metzger is doing. A six
months campaign will be conducted. TAX
ling up growing. harvesting and market
ling produce. Plots Of land will be set
aside for use by boys. while the girls
work will be canning and care of food
stuffs. Miss Cobb will have direct super
vision of this.
To each boy or girl who enters into
the work of the campaign will be given
a metal badge. making him or her a
member of the Green Mountain Guard
|, and to those who stay through the
task will be presented by Gov. H. F.
Graham and Commissioner of Education
M. b. Hillegas certificate showing
Accomplishments of the season.
Mr.. Metzger is leaving no stone un-
turned to give to every boy and girl In
the State a chance to do something this
year. That this may be successfully car
ried into effect it has been arranged that
, the young people who cannot afford tc
buy seed will have the same furnished
them. Already Mr.. Metzger has assur'
ances of enough seed potatoes for the
planting while beans enough for plant
ing have been purchased Other seed tina,
may be grown will probably be handled
in the same manner.
District school superintendents in many
, instances have agreed to do without &
vacation this summer that they may ait
in this great effort. helping the boys a
they can do 3d. Many of the teachers II
the public schools are already making
lplans to cooperate in the summer months
? Both are spending Of their time and Of
| fort. informing the parents what thu
food production and conservation depart
ment are going to accomplish and urging
their cooperation.
From the educational department hav'
, been sent as many as ZOO letters in
. single day. telling people in different part
, of the State what Is being done. Thes
! will increase as the season advances
Practical results are what the department
wants. Planting staple stuffs that ma.
be carried over to next year is urged
. Men who are employed in Shops mills
insurance Offices and the like are select
, ing small plots of land upon which t.
grow enough staple food for their owl