The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-05-24
WOMEN and CHILDREN TO ASSIST
IN INCREASING The FOOD SUPPLY
Engage Campaign for Bigger crops-Federa Department of
Agriculture Trying to Interest the Nonfarmng Popu-
aton in the Food ProbIen1-More Hands
Needed to Help Till the Soil

played with natural pride healthy
young tomato, lettuce, bean and pea
plants ready to be set out when the
weather was gracious. Two huge
greenhouses were filed with plants
ready for the open. A long row OF
chrysanthemums occupied an especial
place in one OF the hOthOuses. The
lady farmer explaining that they were
all yellow ones and were being es-
pecially trained for suffrage decora-
ton only.
Women Do the Work.
'Tt's no kid-glove job" is what Al
bert Johnson told $50 women recently
at the Astor hotel when he talked to
them about what they must expect
when they begin a course in practical
agriculture.
They had responded to call from
Miss Alice Carpenter, chairman of the
executive committee of the No. 3 Ma
tional Service school of the women's
section Of the Navy league, which
hopes to train a score of women every
three weeks at the State Agricultural
school, at Farmingdale, l.. J., and at
the same time train 200 women in mill
tary duties.
The expectant agriculturists listened
to some solid facts about the work.
Mr.. Johnson, who is head Of the state
school. announced at the start that
they hadn't a 'farm hand" on the
place, and that the women must do
the work themselves.
"We take women of every age" he
said. Recently we had three grand
mothers and one great-grandmother
in our classes"
Anyone past the age Of eighteen is
eligible to enroll for the agricultural
course under the guidance of Miss
Carpenter and Mr.. Johnson. There
were several gray-haired women pres
ent whose faces frightened when they
heard the reference to the agricultural
activities of grandmOthers.
Every student is to have a garden
plot Is by 20 feet, Mr.. Johnson ex-
planned. These will be on the grounds
OF the state school. Every bit Of the
work on that plot is to be done by the
students, under the supervision of in
structors.
Especial emphasis will be placed on
the methods which can best be en-
ployed in vegetable growing in city
yards, vacant lots and school gardens"
he continued. "All common vegetables
will be grown. Particular attention
will be paid to those of high-food
value, including potatoes.
''The work will include seed testing,
starting of seeds in flats, use Of cold
frames, setting out plants, culture,
harvesting, packing or otherwise pre-
pairing the vegetables for marketing,
storing and preserving vegetables, the
last to include canning.
Many Practical Courses.
'There will be course also in
economic entomology, where the stu
dents will take up the habits of in
sects of orchards, gardens and farm
crops. A course in the different types
of soils, poultry raising, which will in
clude incubation, rearing of chicks,
their feed, care and management, kill
ing, dressing and marketing, and
poultry house construction, also is
offered to the women bent on growing
and conserving the nations food sup
ply"
Milking cows, driving horses, feed
ing, the care and management of
dairy cattle, hogs and horses are also
to be taught at the agricultural
school. The courses will open on April
%, and will close on July %. Living
accommodations will be provided on
the grounds. Mrs. Carpenter said they
had rented an old-fashioned homestead
for the women students.
potato patriotism" is being en-
couraged at the headquarters Of the
Woodcraft League of America, here.
Ernest Thompson Seton, the chief, is
urging all members to devote time
this summer to growing the costly
"Spud."
"The great need for potatoes has