The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-21
HAVE YOU PLANTED A GARDEN?

Will be neutraliZed. Wholehearted
cooperation from all the people Ill
fact lis vital if the State is to do the
necessary and patriotic work which
the national and State authorities
have called OH us for.
There Is great shortage Of some
kinds of seeds, and the merchants
may be unable to secure a full as
sortment Of those recommended
Substitutions. however, can usually be
made without seriously affecting the
programme.
The two most effective agencies
which may be used for our campaign
are the churches and the schools
Gov Manning has asked all the
ministers in South Carolina to take
up and advocate in their sermons
food production and conservation. T.,
would be well to hold a meeting Of
the county teachers associations
(both white and colored) and urge tn,
teachers to enter wholeheartedly into
the work. Patriotic songs should be
frequently sung by the schools, shor.
talks on the war and the national
situation should be given and the pa.
triOtism of the children should Dc
stimulated in every possible way
1t must be made plain to each child
that he has a part in the programme
for national preparedness for war.
We suggest that a society be formed
in each school called tha volunteer
Service League" into which shall be
enrolled all children who will volun-
teer for the production aid conserva-
ton OF foodstuffs. Each member OF
this society should pledge himself o.
herself to cultivate small garden OR
corn patch or to help ESQ many hours
per week. in the cultivation of the
home vegetable garden or in attention
TO the live stock on the farm or 70
raise pig or some chickens.
In addition TO this, they should
pledge themselves not to waste q
crumb Of food and to use their innu-
ence to stop all food waste in the;
homes. They should be made to un-
derstand that now, when the nation
needs every ounce Of surplus food
for war purposes. it is nothing less
than criminal to throw away pro-
visions of any kind. 1t is a common
sight around most OF the school
houses Of the State to see children
cat half Of their lunches and dump
the rest on the ground. No more
food should be prepared for ,he
family or brought to school than can
be entirely consumed. If this were
done, probably 25 per cent. OF the
food consumption of the State would
stop.
Your committee should cooperate
with the negro preachers and teach
ers to secure the adoption of thi,
programme. Without their help our
campaign can be but partially sue
cessful. Meetings should be arrange
at negro churches and school house;
and white speakers should be furnish
\ ed wherever desirable. In SOM
counties it will be necessary for yCl,
to appoint subcommttces in different
townships in order to make you;
campaign most effective. This shoui,!
be done wherever it is necessary.
The effectiveness of this campaign
fOr civic preparedness for war will de-
pend almost entirely on the work o.
the county committees. The COM
mission can do little except start the
speakers, some literature and some
advice. We are going to count on
the patriotism and unsclfish service
of your committee to make a con
spicuOus success Of your county cam
paign to the end that your people vii.
| do their full duty to the State and
nation ct this crisis.
Very truly yours,
David r. COkcr.
Chairman South Carolina Commission
for Civic Preparedness for War.