Gilpin observer., 1917-04-12
It's Up to America to Feed the World
So Help the Cause of Humanity
By Cultivating Vacant Ground

The war we have entered with a /
foreign foe will take from the regular
channels of labor great many pro |
ducers which is bound to result IN
shortage of provisions unless those
WHO are not called to the front ARISE
to the situation and take the place OF
the absent ones and raise as much
foCd stuffs as their time and avail
able ground will permits While 1T Is
hoped that this war will not be one
of long duration, should it last but
year or two, the shortage of food
win be felt unless past production is
increased. 1t is said that 1t is up to
America to feed the world while the
great war is in progress, SO we are
confronted by a stupendous task, but
with our vast resources and deter
mimation to do what is expected OF
US, we can prove equal to the occa-
sion.
There are very few citizens but
that have some spare time which
they can devote to cultivating a small
yard, vacant lot, or a piece of
farm land, and 1t makes no difference
If the produce raised would repres-
ent a cost equal to that at which 1t
could be bought land it shouldn't to
make the production of food stuff as
great as possible, the ground should
be put to this use. Congress sees
the necessity of this step and has
adopted the following resolution i'm
troduced by Senator Reed:
Resolved, That the Secretary of
Agriculture is hereby requested to
Immediately submit to the Senate
comprehensive plan for increasing the
production of food supplies, especially
by the cultivation Of town lots and
unused lands adjacent to towns, and
by promoting the raising of all class
es of food or food-rroducing animals,
and for the creation of an organfza-
ton to promote, and in a practical
and effective way carry out the pur-
poses aforesaid, together with his es-
essary to be appropriated by Ccn-
gress for the promotion of the pur-
poses aforesaid"
In support Of this most timely res
olution, Senator Reed made a splend-
id talk which is reproduced as an ap-
peal to the citizens Of. Gilpin county
to do their share in The great under
taking that is asked Of us to feed
the world:
II can remember only a few years
ago when almost every man living in
a small country town cultivated a
town lot. grew a portion Of the vege-
tables for his family, and raised pigs
and chickens; but afterwards we pro
gressed so far as to regard the rails
ing on a town lot Of anything to eat
as quite beneath the dignity of the
ordinary citizen.
''Mr. President, l believe, and have
for many years believed, that one OF
the causes of food shortage in the
United States is to be found In the
particular fact I have mentioned.
have net the slightest doubt but that
il the Secretary of Agriculture car
devise plan that will result In al
the governors Of States taking hole
OF this proposition and II the move
ment is carried on by the mayors o.
all our cities and by them be extend
ed SO that the people will actual!
take held there can be raised in th'
aggregate i'm the United States upon
the vacant lots Of towns and upol
the farm lands which are unused tina
are Immediately adjacent to town
enough food supplies to very mater
tally affect not only the price OF foo
hut the convenience and the happi
mess OF the people.
II think 1t Is very material tmn
for US to consider. We know that u
Germany, after the Government ha
done all that 1t can do, the food SUI
plies are nevertheless SO shcrt tha