The Washington times., 1917-03-09
U. S. OFFICIAL TELLS
HOW TO GROW FOOD
0. H. Benson, of Agricultural
Department, Addresses Bue-
ma Vista Association.
TELLS OF CROP ROTATION
Urges Vegetable Production
From Idle Soil and Touches
on Canning of Products.

| o. II. Benson. home gardening spe-
cialist OF the Department of Agricul-
ture. last night addressed the BuenA
Vista Association, T23 Florida avenue
northwest upon Home Gardens and
Their Care"
Mr.. Benson spent considerable time
upon the subject of rotation OF crops
in a small garden plot such as the
majority of the back yards OF Wash
ington. He told how, by proper selec-
tion OF seeds, a large variety of gar
den products could be grown in a sim
gle patch during one summer. Rad
ishes and lettuce, grown early in the
spring. soon make way for later sum-
mer vegetables. which can then be
followed by late fall legumes.
Just now" said Mr. Benson. 'the
important thing is food production
from the idle soil 1t does not take a
great deal of land to furnish fresh
vegetables for the family for a con-
siderable portion of the var Then.
too, IL the Governments methods of
home canning is used in connection
with the gardening plan IL is not only
an easy matter, but worth while en-
terprise This makes II an effective,
efficient. winter garden
Any Size Garden Suitable.
THE type OF garden used may be
anything from a piece of land four
feet square to the larger area of an
entire vacant lot.
IF the Government method of can
ming is used in connection with the
home gardening every type of food
produced and canned by this method
is as fresh and ready for use when
taken from the jars as though taken
direct from the garden and prepared
for the table.
"A thirteen-yearold boy Of the Dis
trict last summer raised a back yard
garden sixteen by forty-two feet,
which, by. careful system OF rotation.
he was able to take out of this garden
from four to seven complete crops
He first planted early onions about
the first of April. When he pulled
these he planted the ground with rad
ish seed. and by this method of rapid
succession OF harvesting and plant |
ing il was possible to keep every foot |
busy during the entire summer.
FurnIshed Fresh Vegetables.
He followed his onions by radishes, |
lettuce, tomatoes, beets. carrots. okra, |
spinach, parsnips. swiss charv. and |
others. He furnished fresh vegetables |
for the family all summer. The sur
plus he sold at hucksters' prices. or
canned it for winter use. In other I
aF
when properly managed furnished |
garden the year around. and also put |
spending money in the pockets OF this |
boy. who was one OF the highest /
award winners in last years achieve
ment contest"
But one of the main things about
the whole plan, is that IL keeps the |
children at home during the summer.
The whole trend OF our educational |
system seems to be to find how many .
hours OF daylight the child can be
made to spend away from home. BY /
this method We can get back to the
oldfsshioned way Of getting the par
ents a little more acquainted with
the children"
Replied to Questions.
~ the close of the address the
meeting was turned into an informal
during which large num-
bers OF questions were asked OF Mr..
Benson regarding the proper care OF
gardens.
During his lecture Mr. Benson out {
lined the plan Of the Home Achieve
ment Contest which is TO be conducted
in Washington this summer under the
auspices Of the Mothers Congress and
the combined Parent-TeAchers AsEo-
Citations OF the city.
Mrs. Harry \. COlman, representing
the Girl Scouts. today notified Mr.
Benson that the entire organization
Of Girl Scouts OF Washington. num-
berinP 400, would enter the contest.
which Is TO begin April ! and close
October !.
Notifications Of other applications
for entrance are being received daily
BY Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, Of the
Mothers Congress.
The girls will be graded upon their
efficiency in care and management
Of one room other than their own
room: care and management OF
small garden. flower bed and shrub
berry: care and management of q
members own room: care and man
cement OF a pen of chickens: home .
Of not less than twelve va
-ieties Of fruits and vegetables: wash
ing and wiping OF dishes during the
sewing or making OF not less
han four garments: profit shown by
bank account from all forms OF sum
ner work: regularity in daily brush
ng Of teeth. baths and physical ex
srcise: hy campaign: conservation OF
bid papers. and regularity in home
study Of music and art work.
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