Evening journal., 1917-03-24
MAKING CITY FARMERS.

VN statement issued by the National Emergency
Food Garden Commission it Is set forth that when
the school and home gardening movements started in
the United States Of years ago. few persons
foresaw that some day this miniature farming Of
urban lots might prove OF great economic benefit 70
the entire population. Up 10 the present the
ment has been fostered a social seryice-to give
boys and girls habits OF Industry and TO afford 10
dwellers in congested districts enjoyable heathfui
and profitable occupation in their leisure with Incl
dental aid in beautfyng cities and towns by cleaning
up the back yards and vacant lots
The present food crisis. which may become more
acute in the event OF a serious war seems 10 have
brought the day in which tho idle lands within Ameri-
can municipalities including Wilmington. are likely 10
become an important OF food supply SO ser
ously Is the matter regarded that a number OF we'll
known educators and philanthropists have organized
the National Emergency Food Garden Commission de-
voted TO the purpose Of putting million men, women
and children on city and town gardens this Spring
TO raise vegetables for their families Il is only nat
urai that wlminstonans should desire 70 partici-
pate in that work.
Charles Lathrop Pack, president Of the American
Forestry Association is the originator Of the move
ment and tho head OF e. with him are associated
among others. DR.. Charles W. Eliot OF Cambridge
Mass John Grer Hibben, president Of Princeton uni
versity; Carl Vrooman, Assistant Secretary of Agr
culture; Capt. j. b. White, member OF the United
states Shipping Board; Albert W shaw editor Of
system Magazine; Emerson Macmillan OF New York.
John Hays Hammond or Massachusetts; Fairfax Har-
rison OF Virginia; Luther Burbank OF California and
James Wilson. former Secretary OF Agriculture.
The commission is affliated with tho Conservation
Department az the American Forestry Association thus
placing az the disposal OF the new work the publicy
organization with which the American Forestry As
sociaon has been fighting tho White Pine Blister Dis
case and other forest scourges Percival Riasdale
secretary OF the Forestry Association is directing the
work OF the National Emergency Food Garden Commits
sion.
In Washington there various ofieial agencies
seeking to stimulate the cultivation OF home gardens
this year with tho view OF relieving some Of the do
mand for rural produce. The Department OF Agrcu-
ture is making the movement its chief Spring en-
deavor while the Bureau Of Education is urging the
cultivation OF gardens by graded school children
The National Emergency Food Garden Commission
at once found its place in this work 1t takes the
scientific lore OF tho official departments and reais it
in simple practical form 70 the prospective homo
gardeners through the medium OF the daiIv press
which is eagerly cooperating to make the campaign
a success. The official bureaus too warmly vel
coined the newcomer, realizing their own Limitations
! in the matter OF practical publicity.
The plan adopted by the commission is FIRST 10
create garden volunteers by making the dweers in
cities and towns realize the danger in the food situa
tion this and then TO give these volunteers day
instruction in gardening from the sprouting OF seeds
in hot beds to the harvesting OF the ripe crops
The ambition OF the commission to create 600 OOs
new gardeners is conservative. The Bureau OF Edu
cation estimates that there are 100000 school chill
dren capable OF oultivatng garden yards while whir
cities and towns there is probably an equal nun
! Der OF adults who have the leisure for such work