The Washington times., 1917-04-24
THOUSAND ADDED
TO GARDENS IN D. G.
Movement for Home Agricul-
ture in Washington Fur
thered by Notables.

More than a thousand gardens that
would probably never have been plant
ed have been put in the ground this
spring. These gardens are over and
above the number usually planted in
Washington.
This statement was made before
members of the Capital Garden Club
meeting by Superintendent OF lnsur-
ance Charles F. Nesbit and a member
OF the District Food Commission, at
q meeting yesterday afternoon.
The meeting, which was attended
by wives of Cabinet members in the
ball room OF the Willard yesterday af-
ternoon, was to organize financing the
Central Garden Committee.
Vrooman Makes Talk.
Among the speakers were Carl
Vrooman, Assistant Secretary of AE-
riculture; John Dolph, chairman OF
the Central Garden Committees o. II.
Benson, extension agent of the De
partment of Agriculture; E. L. Thurs
ton, superintendent of schools, and MI
Nesbit. Mrs. Charles w. wetmore,
president of the club, presided. Con-
gresham A F. Lever, chairman OF
the House Committee on Agriculture,
was absent, as he was IN charge Of a
food bill In the House at the time.
Mr.. Vrooman warned against the
danger of "a plethora of crops for
winter use" -'
'There is a tendency" he said, "to
raise a great quantity OF food that
must be canned. There are many
tubers and vegetables that will keep
in dry storage during the winter, ana
potatoes, beans, and peas are excel
lent crops to lay by for the winter.
There is a possibility OF a tin can and
glass Jar shortage, and plethora OF
crops which had to be canned for
winter use might tax our supplies OF
cans" - Fa
Mr.. vrooman laid especial emphasis
on the Importance of agriculture, and
particularly home gardening, declar-
ing that any system which called for
compulsory military service should
also call for compulsory industrial
and agricultural service.
For Expert Guidance.
Speaking on plans for the garden
movement in Washington, Mr.. Dolph
explained how the central committee
expects to expend approximately
$500 in garden work this season.
II that sum can be raised The money
will be expended for the employment
OF expert instructors, tolls, and i'm
plements, executive work, and in hir-
ing men to fit certain pieces of
ground for vegetable raising.
THE garden movement in Wash
ington is going ahead with such
speed" he said. "that il Is impossible
TO say just what the needs for to-
morrow Y II be. One seed dealer told
me that his business had increased
$50 per cent, and that last Saturday
he attended upon ] 200 customers,
most of whom purchased garden seed
evidently for backyard and vacant
lot use. The usual penny package
sale of $50 900 seeds through the pub
lie schools each year has been In
creased to 350,O00 packages this
year"
Mr.. Thurston told OF the work be-
ing done in the schools and read the
report of one garden begun in a yard
of clay and brick and mortar waste
The yard was thirty by fifty feet
and three and four crops were raised
on the same part OF IL in a season
by intensive cultivation. A part OF
nthe crop taken from II included 4
bushels of potatoes, 6s4 tomatoes, 81
squash, 140 lettuce heads, 10 dozen
corn ears, 166 green peppers, $50 car
rots, 316 beets, IS quarts OF lima
beans, 2h bushels of snap beans, 4
pecks OF peas, 60 satisfy roots, 26
messes of spinach and a quantity OF
other vegetables including seasoning
plants.
Money In IL, Too.
Mr. Benson told how a club OF
forty-six boys and girls in Lewiston,
Idaho, realized s3,s64 from the sale
OF vegetables the production OF
which cost them ST24 He explained
that only by canning could an equal
food distribution be expected IL a
shortage should arise. and declared
figures showed there might be plenty
of money next winter. but no food
to buy with IL.
A generous response by those pres
ent was made to an appeal by the
chairman for members OF the club
who would support the garden move.
ment In this city. The funds collect
ed by the club will go to support the
work of the central committee this
summer.