Putnam patriot., 1917-04-20
Home Gardens For School ChiIdrsa
E.diinr PnfriaI.

Editor Patriot:
 In view of the present widespread interest in gardening enterprises for young people, it is of interest to note that early in March, in cooperation with A. j. Brundage, Slate Club leader, l began the preliminary work with the children in the public schools of Putnam for organized home garden work. General meetings were held in the different school beiidiugs and the display os interest and promise of sup port once the project w us outlined, was very gratifying.
 It does not require great amount of ingenuity to see that short crops, unusual demands, and wsstefulness have resulted in high prices that prom ise to go even higher. With the United States in the war, the prices for garden commodities at least will not lower. It is reasonable, indeed, to expect year of high prices that will steadily go higher. We mustn't sit back and wait for the American Congress to pass sociaistic legislation, We must interest ourselves actively and at once.
 We have asked all school children to plan with their lparents for home garden plats, plats of at least 100 square feet Where plats of this size or larger are available, we have pre- pared plans for the laying out, seed ing, and care of such plats, arranging for continuous use of every available foot from seed time 10 harvest. We have, further, promised competent supervision and regular inspection of such enterprises by volunteer or paid garden supervisor.
 The girls have not been overlooked in these plans. Canning clubs have been planned for them alone, and for them with their mothers, and the su pervision of the girls activities will be in the hands of Miss NJ. Estella Sprague of Slorrs.
 Nothing satisfactory or reasonably pleasing can be done without the co operation of the home. That's why we have taken the trouble to outline the proposition carefully to.the boys and girls in school with the request that they talk it over with their folks. In furtherance of this project, we have arranged for a general meeting of parents, pupils and interested citizens, | tn be held at the Israel Putnam | School hall on the evening of April 24. If his schedule will permit MT. | Brundage will be present on that l evening and will illustrate his talk with stereoptican views. | Such work should be undertaken in a systematic way, if it is to be well l done and certain things will be neces- sary.
 I. A local committee should be ap | pointed to take charge. ?. Local leadership should be SC. cured.
 8. The nature of projects which | would work best in the community should be determined; Corn clubs, Potato clubs, Garden clubs, Canning l clubs, Mother Daughter Home Can ming clubs.
 l 4. Children should confer with par ents and should be sure of parental co operation, after .which club members should be enrolled.
 The local committee to have general oversight, of home gardening will, l am sure, result lfrom the April "A
 meeting. l feel that there is little
 likelihood of paid supervisors being
 provided on account of the numerous
 demands for money for other interests, l have agreed to act as local leader during the entire season, if l am in
 town, or at least AS long as am here.
 We must not entertain the mistaken idea that patriotism consists merely in carrying guns and the wifviDg of flags. In these days the intensive cultivation of the soil will help to win
 battles and wars. Such work is not only intensely patriotic; it is absolutely necessary.
 l Harold w. Files,
 Superintendent of Scoools.