Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-04
The PL0nt-an-ACre Army.

There ought to be prompt and hearty response
the excellent suggestion by Superintendent Brit
tain, of the State Department of Education, that
every school child in Georgia enlist in the nations
service by planting and cultivating plot of food
stufs. There could be better way of inspiring
and utilizing youthful patriotism than by muster
ing of thousands boys and girls into what is
aptly termed the Plant-an-Acre Army" The idea
rightly presented, will appeal keenly to the child
ren's of loyalty and, if consistently carried
out will result in substantial additions to the
country's food supply.
The feasibility of the plan is evident from the
marked success of the Boys Corn Club and the
Girls Canning Club movement. For years past
those organizations have been thriving, and their
aggregate contribution to the wealth and progress
of the States in which they active is measured
in millions of dollars The "Plant-an-Acre' army,
which would be conducted similar principles,
could be recruited in the towns and cities we'll
in rural districts There are thousands of vacant
lots and back yards which the productive young
patriots could work, without conflicting with food
raising plans which already under way.
DR.. P P Claxton, National commissioner of Ed
ucaon says that in the schools of the cities, towns
and suburban communities of the United States
there approximately six million boys and girls
between the ages of nine and sixteen, most of whom
idle than half Of the year. For four mil
lion of these there are available spaces which
could be cultivated as small gardens. with some
intelligent direction" DR.. Caxton goes to say,
these school children might easily produce the
available land average of seventy-ive dollars
each in vegetables and fruits" That would mean
addition of three hundred million dollars to the
country's annual output of food.
From this estimate which istvery conservative,
we may get idea of what the school children of
Georgia could do If they were marshaled into pa
trotic egions for serving their country by ncreas
ing the supply of those essentials which our
and our allies armies must lean for support. A
campaign to this end, If properly organized
throughout the State, would be of far-reachng aid
in the great task of making Georgia self-susaning
1t is important, however that the work be efficient
ly organized and that it be directed with a view to
steady effort and substantial results Superintendent
Britain well observes In this connection
eff in each of the one hundred and fifty
two counties prizes secured by the super
fntendent for the best acre Of potatoes by any
one Of the pupils, and this work is promoted
actively and theoretically, it would count ire
mendously at this juncture and be of benefit
to all. A hundred bushels on an acre can
easily be made without great effort in almost
any part of this state and without any great
amount Of time and labor. 1t is just now
the right time for this work and much may be
more. the dates Of enrolment for the various
corn and canning clubs have been extended this
year with the purpose Of enrolling every child
possible. Tell the children that while they
cannot put on the uniform and go to the front
In this war, they can perform a service equally
as important by helping to feed the soldiers
and preventing a food shortage through the
state and country"
This is a time for universal service in the
country's cause. A very small percentage of orr
more than one hundred million people will have
the high honor of being called to the coIors. but
every man and woman and every child in the nation
can serve somehow and somewhere. The war upon
which America has entered is peoples war under
taken In defense of the things that give DEAFNESS
and nobility to life. 1t is war whose outcome is
of vital and personal concern to every citizen and
every home in the land. It must be fought not sim
ply by our soldiers and sailors and those Of opr
allies, but by every man, every woman and every
child.