The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-23
FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH %, 1917.
DIVERSIFIED GARDENING AND
POTATOES.

The question OF the high cost Of living has been
before the American people for many years that
it is almost necessary to go back to the pioneer
class in order find the time when it was not one
OF the paramount issues before the public. We have
heard this question discussed from the lecture
platform, through the columns Of the press and
magazines and even from the pulpit. Up to the
present, however. the high cost of living has degned
to Fay but scant attention to all of this comment
and the price Of sustaining life has rockctcd sky
ward daily.
The Missoula Chamber of Commerce has now
taken hand in the game and believes that it has
evolved workable idea which will not only serve
to check the soaring price Of living, but will also
produce greater cash returns the farmers
Montana than they have been receiving in
the PAST.
fund Of $1,000 has been raised for the pur
pose of stimulating interest in diversificds garden
ing within the city and county. Gardens and po-
tatoes"-that is what the commercial organization
is banking on in its effort to bring money to the
farmers and to cheaper the cost Of living in Mis-
soula The fund raised is to be distributed in prizes
and in case of the youngsters find it i'm
possible to seed effort will be made to find
some means of supplying them enough for the pur-
pose Of planting their acreage 80
one Of the prizes is for the best acre of potatoes
in the county and it is thought that this will have
the effect of inducing many of the farmers to
plant of potatoes which would yield a large
cash return. In addition to achieving this result
the chamber of believes that the high cost
of living be abated and relief brought to many
of the families suffering account of the high
cost of vegetables and similar produce
Cultivated diversified crops arc in the opinion of
western Montana farm authorities, greatly needed
both in order to benefit the land and to increase the
revenue derived from it. The condition pre-
walls in all sections of Montana. The state large
can produce hundreds of times much produce as
is now being raised It's agricultural lands 1t is
for the purpose of arousing the spirit of wasting
nothing; of making productive the vast amount OF
land lying idle that Missoula's commercial or
gonization has raised its thousand dollar fund ant
launched the campaign The opinion of Missou'a,
businessmen is that the present high prices vii
prevail next year that il not quite as high prod
nee will bring much than during avcra g.
to them.
seasons.
Speaking of the effect Nissoua, il the cam
paign produces anything like the response it SHOULD
the city will be benefited in more than one wa,
Not only will the diversified gardens serve to al
in the upkecp of many families in this city, but II.
effect will be bcautifying of vacant lots and
much needed general cleanup. A we'll cultivate
garden is ccrtainl! much to be preferred from tn
standpoint Of beauty to a lot literally sprinkle
with tin cans and other refuse
The instlling Of thrift and industry in the yout
of the city is another feature which will more tina
repay the chamber Of commerce for the money il
vested. Any which tends to develop in Il
youth Of this city tendency toward industry
to prove of benefit to the community at lar
and it is hoped that the campaign will be roward
by a hearty response and that other cities in &
state will take up this movement which will u
doubleday result in large cash returns and bctt
cities as well citizens.