New Britain herald., 1917-04-12
A GARDEN,'
 SAYS MISS OSBORN
Agent of Charity Organization
 Believes in Natures Bounty


 Plant a Garden" is the advice of the New Britain Charity Organiza- ton to all families that have called for help this spring. For 8 number ot years it has been the custom of the organization to encourage the plant ing, of these home gardens and many benefits have resulted from the policy. The question of gardens and the one regarding war relief were the prin- cipal points that were brought out in the monthly report of the Charity Organization, by the agent, Miss Elsie c. Osborn. at the directors meeting last night.
 There were 389 applications for services during the month. The monthly report of Miss Osborn fol- lows:
 Plant a Garden" has been our steady advice to all the families we have befriended this spring. For some years it has been our policy to en- courage as much as possible the planting of small home gardens and with our large population of immi- grants who have been used to rural life in the old country before coming to this factory town, our arguments have easily taken effect where any land was available. The gardens have varied in size from that of the man who rented big lot. to the six to- mato plants tended by some little children.
 We have noticed the great good ac- complished by the Boys club gardens which oftentimes had influence over the entire families of the boy garden CTS. We have observed the greater variety of food and the lessening of grocery bills where families had a thrifty garden to tend. And in our rounds of visits we have often wished We had more knowledge of garden ing, for stony or soggy soil, poor seeds and injudicious choice in planting waste so much energy and dampen so much enthusiasm.
 This spring. under war conditions, a great wave of home garden senti- ment is sweeping the country. Every Scout to feed a soldier" is the na- tional, slogan of the Boy Scouts. Edi- tors are exhorting their readers. Park commissions are giving free seed, loaning tools. and allotting park space for gardens. The United States De- partment of Agriculture is co-operat- ing with the Connecticut Agricultural college and the county agents by furnishing free plans and gardening directions. A national emergency food garden commission has been created iE Washington which encourages this work by sending free garden lessons to more than a thousand newspapers. Everywhere people are alive to the need of increasing the food supply oe this country.
 Little Food Produced Here.
 Not more than one-fifth of the food consumed in this state is produced within the limits of Connecticut, we are told, and common sense dictates that we should do our utmost to raise larger supplies. Our governor has appointed the Connecticut committee of food supply, including a New Brit ain member, and this committee will weld together all smaller agencies at work along these lines and render them far more valuable.
 We are trying in every way to im- press upon the families we know the tremendous importance of this food plainly that it behooves them to do their utmost to help themselves at this time to guard against a food shortage later on. They can use available backyards, they can rent land or obtain 1t free, they can join with relatives or friends and neigh ] bors in growing gardens, but help thev must. Many women in this city titled the ground in the old country, and are doing it here. More or them l might as we'll join for 1t is good wholesome outdoor work. There Is nc reason why boys and girls should not take a large hand at gardening too, to use up surplus energy during the summer vacation, either by work ir gardens of their own or earning money by working in other peoples gardens.
 Naturally the families nearest the | horder-lfne between independence and charity are the first to be affected by food shortage and high prices. In our work in this city we have already seen the family worries, caused by high prices for food, and we feel that a good garden this summer tended by father evenings and early morn ings, and by mother and the children during vacation days, will prevent many a family from need of outside aid later on. Aid in this gardening
 project we judge will bring better | returns dS d CIldTltAUlS lutcSIuSItt
 than a gift next fall to buy food
 stuffs for the poor at exorbitant prices.
 And yet this garden project to be
 worth while in meeting this years
 conditions, needs to be directed by
 men who know how to raise some
 thing more material than sentiment
 A practical experienced man by ad- vising and directing amateur garden
 CTS. would earn many times his wages for the summer months in the in- | oroasad nrndlcfinn of these snal II