The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-16
Back Yard Gardens
nv N. ADDINGroN BRUCE
Author OF THE Riddle OF Person
ality." Psychology and
Parenthood." etc.


In both the United States and
Canada a-campaign is under way to
lnduce city jewellers 60 transform
their back yards and vacant lots
into vegetable gardens. Il Is cam
pSiEn directly due TO the serious
food situation created by war.tin G
complications.
As such n is an appeal 10 the
patriotism OF the people and should
meet with wide response. Those
WHO do respond 20 n will have the
satisfaction Of knowing that they
are acting periodically and are
really doing something OF economic
value TO the nation.
At the same time they viii De
gaining important dement's for them.
selves. They viii lower the cost Of
Vtheir food supply. They will in
sure themselves food supply thai;
II both fresh and nutritious.
Most important OF all. they viii
improve In health thru the exer.
else they have 10 take in the open.
air when cuitivating their gardens
Many city dwellers-I am tempt.
ed 20 say most city dwellers do
not get enough outdoor exercise
Their working hours are spent in
doors In once. store. or factory
Likewise their leisure hours arc
largely spent indoors. amusln-
themselves in the theater. movie
ball. dance hail. or other entertain.
ment resort.
They do not sven get outdoor ex.
ereise when passing back and forth
between their homes and their
places OF employment. Instead. they
ride In crowded cars. Or. II they
cen. they ride in private automo-
h'les and public taVicsbs.
People like these will profit I'm
mensely from gardening in their
yards or In vacant lots. They may
ind II hard work at hrst. But.
sticking Al 1t. they will gain stead.
ily in health and strength
Another class OF people. and 4
numerous class. will find back yard
gardening OF special health. gaining
s1 nifcance 10 them.
These are the people who. tho
they may already spend much time
outdoors. are for one reason or an
other nervously unstrunR. In many
cases their nervousness may be q.
rectly traced 20 idl,ness. in many
others to lack Of really pleasurahie
occupation for their minds. Having
MULE else 10 think about. they link
oyermuch about themselves.
Let such people make a hobby NJ
gardening and they soon will Hrd
their nervous systems better bel
anced. This statement Is borne out
b. the experiences OF directors OF
ssnatoriums FOR the ncrvously and
mentally disturbed
They have discovered that gar.
dening is one OF the best OF cures
for tired nerves and dlstresssa
minds. Therefore they set their
PATIENTS gardsnfnE. with results n
healing that sometimes are almost
/ unbelievable.
Cases OF severe mental depres-
Fion have been helped back 10 nor.
Tality Neurastheni, patients hav,
lost their aches and pains. Psychas
thenic sufferers have gained new,
strength and courage for the
struggles OF life.
H. then. you who read these lines
are a victim OF nerves. or a Der
son who does not get enough ont.
door exercise. urge you IN esrr.
cial 10 join the army OF those vIo
will be working in back yard and
yacant-lot gardens this summer.
BY doing so you will be helpin %
your country 20 solve a grave prob
lem Of wartime stress. and you WI
be helping yourself TO gain better
/ health.