The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-01-24
RECLAIM WASTE TOWN LANDS.

The question Of using idle lands for food pro
duction is just now engaging the attention Of tn
people Of England, as it has already done those O
Germany, and efforts are being made to conserv,
this potential source Of wealth.
1t is estimated that in the city of Londol
alone there are 1900 acres of idle land, capable
of producing annually $500 worth OF foodstuff.
per acre-an amazing total of $1,000, 900 yearly
In connection with present high cost of living
this item OF news Should carry a potent lesson fol-
every town and city in our own country.
The subject is full of possibilities for the city
Of Greenwood.
Have you, reader, ever tried to estimate how
lmany acres Of idle land there is in Greenwood
JOUR- own? Take a day off some time and count
the vacant lots that are now given over to weeds,
I old tin cans and rubbish generally. Try to reduce
this combined area to acres. Calculate the posi-
bilities of these acres, and then you will see what
the people Of THIS TOWN are annually allowing
to slip through their fingers for want of a little
energy.
It is folly to protest against the high cost of
living when we are neglecting the means lying
right at our doors of largely alternating those con-
ditions.
Almost any family can cultivate from a quar-
ter to a half an acre Of ground, and a quarter or
half acre will produce vegetables and small fruits
for most any family for the entire year.
Look around you and locate the men who are
loudest against the prevailing high prices. Are
they the men who have cultivated good gardens
and truck patches? No, indaed! These men have
cellars well stored with sweet and Irish potatoes;
They have probably raised and fattened a pig or
two; they have fruits and vegetables canned and
preserved, and are really LIVING AT HOME.
An they don't have Nightmares near the end of
the month over the grocery bill that must be paid
on the first.
Let us have a revival Of gardening interest in
Greenwood this year. Let's every one Of US who
have a few square feet or yards of soil see to it
that that soil produces this summe all of which
it is capable. If we have no surplus ground of
our own, then let's rent a vacant lot from O
neighbor and turn it into food for the family.
Many people in this town buy all of their gro
ceries and provisions from the stores and from
peddlers, paying out large sums in the run of a
year, while they have ample land lying idle from
which they could supply a majority of their wants
in this line. This is not only poor economy, but it
is rank extravaganza. /.
But that is the way of the average American
citizen. He buys beans and raises cookie burrs.
He buys potatoes and raises dog fennel. In short,
he buys all he has to eat and raises hell generally
over the prices he has to pay.
An important phase of the question lies in the
splendid possibilities for health afforded by the
congenial task Of gardening. u
Every dweller in a city or small town should, +"
1t possible, acquire a piece of ground to work
through the summer, be it ever so small. An
hour or two Of diligent work in the soil is natures i
finest tonic. 1t will ~dissipate the worst case of !"
crouch; it is a perfect liver regulator, cures
dyspepsia, is an excellent remedy for rheumatism,
and makes you feel that life is really worth liv- II
ing. p
Let's get down to the business of conservation
in earnest. A bushel Of potatoes will yield as
much nourishment and energy if raised in ones v
own garden as if bought at the store. Beans and 81
peas, ~cabbages, lettuce, raddishes, Strawberries,
coming fresh from your garden are not to be
with the average detected looking ef
article usually found in the markets. III
So while we are urging the country to reclaim
The waste lands, let us reclaim our own waste
1t will conserve our health; it will pe
tighten the strain on our income; and last, but by VI
no means least, it will aid largely in identifying
our town.
Now what do YOU think about it? RI
~ be
Here, here, boys-and baldheads! At the AL.