The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-05-15
Warn the Boys
~ ". ARLINGTON nRUCE
Author - The Riddie Of Person
atty" Psychology ana
Parenthood. etc.

"It Is all very Well 10 urge the
cultivation OF back yard garden ass
an aid against food shortage. but
what II the gardens are robbed aud
ruined by predatory boys In our
town garden thieves have long been
much ~ evidence Naturally PEG
pie hate to spend time. labor. and
money on gardens only 20 be- rob.
bed
This is a Characteristic complaint
: haze frequently heard since The
campaign tor more food production
opened u is a complaint only TOO
well justified
Boys rob gardens from many mo
tiYes OF which the mere acquiring OF
food S not the-mosi potent Nor, in
Rae great majority OF cases. Is the
roboing the result Of really criminal
impulse
II is rather an expression Of he
spirit OF adventure. so conspicuous
ip every normal boz tie wishes 20
DC something daring simply because
30 IS daring And the garden and
orchard affords him convenient
means of satisfying this craving FOR
adventure
Recognizing this magistrates and
policemen have been disposed 90
deal len.enuy with juvenile garden
thieves They rightly are inclined
90 pur rho blame on the boys par
en,s instead OK on the boy himself
tor. IL boys craving for tie al
Nenturous leads him 70 steal. Il Is
evident first. that his parents have
nor grounded him IN a sound moral
ify and second that they have
failed 20 appreciate the Importance
of providing him With harmless
means ~ satsty lnE bis adventure
craving spirit
Nevertheless n this period o.
war stress and food shortage Ssr.
don roJbinE must absolutely be stop
red Magistrates and police are
Noil aware Of this and are certain
90 make extra efforts this summer
20 afford protection for those patriot
cslly rultivsting gardens
T. Viii be wise-then FOR parents
OF BOYS disposed 10 pilfer 70 warn
them % the serious consequences
they VIII suffer II they do not let
the neighbols. gardens alone Il
viii be wise indeed. not merely 20
warn 'hem but 20 begin now 10 take
action that viii diminish any pilfer-
ing tendencies
Let them appeal 70 the boys on
patriotic grounds As well as on
ethical grounds IN general Let them
cause The boys clearly 10 under
stand hat every time they rob or
damage a garden they are doing a
real injury 20 the country TO which
/ thef owe allegiance
q addition parents OF such boys
oesh; 20 plan az perhaps they have
mover done etore. 20 keep their
BOYS healthiuly and pleasuraoly oc-
upod all summer Active and on
( Jos sole occupation is itself OF great
value u helping boys 10 resist
temptation OF any kind.
IL possible set them 20 gardening
themselves Give them garden
plot o. their own or let them on
gage in The community gardening,
which viii be such a popular and
useful form OF social activity during
/ the next few months
Should they be boys 20 whom gar.
dening does not appeal at all, en-
coursga them 20 20 In for Boy Scout
work or send them 10 summer
+ camp. where they Vill not only be
out ot mischief by will receive splen-
cid training for citizenship.
Don't LEI them drift all summer,
idling, running Wild. subjected 20 no
restraining and developmentsl lnnu.
ences This IL is that is responsible
for many garden thetts and other
| orenscs Of more serious character.
Warn the boys and help the BOYS
10 become OF real value 20 them.
selves and 10 their nation This is
always prime duty TO parenthood.
Now n n doubly the parents duty