Evening star., 1917-03-09
WOMEN PLAN WORK
OF HOME GARDENING
Meet at Residence of Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter to Per-
feet Organization.
IN HANDS OF Committee

Women who are organizing the league
to supervise the homo achievement club
work for boys and girls of the Dis
trict, which is to feature back yard
and vacant lot gardening, met at tho
home of Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, Slo5
9Th street northwest. this afternoon
to perfect an organization.
These women will form an executive
committee of five. to be formally ap-
pointed by Mrs. Rafter president OF
the Mothers Congress. and the execu-
tive committee later will name COM
mittee of three to represent the school
teachers, parent-teacher associations
and the citizens associations of tho
District.
The executive committee viii have
general charge of the organization OF
the work of the clubs, and the com
mittee of three will seek to have these
clubs organized in various sections ana
put under the supervision or accreol,eu
members of the organizations named.
Present at the meeting at Mrs'
Rafter's home were Mrs. Fulton Lewis,
Mrs. Leonard Doten. Mrs. Brahannin'
Mrs David l.. Sandoe. Mrs. James "
Bvler and Mrs. GroFvenor Dave AS
srrances of support already have been
received from representative men ana
women in nearly every section OF the
city and Endorsement also has been
made from David Fairchild. Miss Susan
B. Sipe o. II. Benson and other eNperts
in gardening.
Work Of the Committee.
The work of the executive commit
tee in co-operation with tho committee
of three, as announced today. follows:
ITO secur. the Endorsement for the
home achievement club work OF the
Superintendent of schools ana MS
teaching staff, of all citizens associ-
ations, parent-teacher bodies, nhehpeIs
of the Mothers Congress ana business
mems associations of the District.
fcome of these Endorsements already
have been obtained by the organizers
ITO secure specialists and experts 10
assist the committee in home project
work" "a number of these already
have pledged their add
ITO arrange for awards, achievement
medals, certificates, etc, necessary Tor
the encouragement of the work
May Provide Paid Adviser.
.when possible to provide a paid
leader and supervisor for the home
club work for each school
community.
ITO encourage all leaders Of scout
troops and campfire girls to incorporate
the home achievement program into the
plans for their members.
ITO provide through the United
States bureau of education and the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture directions of all achievement
units"
Mrs Rafter announced this afternoon
she was anxious to gain cooperation
of all bodies doing the same sort or
work, and that she hoped 70 CONFER
soon with Mrs Charles w. Wetmore,
an organizer of the Capital Garden
Club. now being formed.
Outlines Home Garden Plans.
Speaking last evening before the
Ruena Vista Association. meeting at
723 Florida avenue northwest. O. H.
Benson of the Department Of Agricul-
ture outlined the plan of the home
achievement club work which is to be
carried out in Washington this spring
and summer under the direction of the
Mothers Congress, parent-teachers as
sociations and the public schools.
Mr. Benson gave specific instructions
for stalking off and planting nome
gardtn. and after his talk answered
questions of those who had met with
home gardens.
"A garden for every home. and all
available tillable land at work. was
the ideal he urged for Washington.
Vacant lots and unused back yards
must reduce our cost of living" he
said Make producers of boys and
girls. Teach them thrift through pro-
duction. Save all food products by
means of home canning. Make every
home a canning factory
Extension During the Summer.
During the coming summer season
extension of boys and girls club work
will undoubtedly make a selection OF
some one or a few projects as the
major projects for their work. In
view of the high cost of living and tho
great amount Of waste garden space,
it will not be difficult to determine
that home garden and canning club
work is one of the most important
organize and promote