The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-27

Will supply IaHllly Oh six Win an
abundance Of fresh vegetables, sufi-
cient to supply all needs through the
season if judiciously planted and given
the proper care and attention.
The vegetable garden department of
the Missouri botanical gardens, through
experimental gardens and careful study
and investigation, finds that plot Of
ground 25x50 feet can be made to yield
vegetables in cash value of 800 per
season, and not less than $50, if plant
ing is carefully planned, so that the
soil is III continual use and properly
nourished by fertilization and cult
walton. The estimated cost for the
best seeds necessary for, planting such
a plot is SO, while the cost of fertili
ger for the poorest soil even III a city
thrift garden should not exceed S. the
season. Soil in a smoke infested dis.
triet will require lime in addition to
fertilizer, to eliminate the acid in the
soil produced by smoke.
Taken at the lowest estimate Of $50
per plot of 25X50 feet per season, every
community could very materially add
to its resources and wealth.
Philadelphia was the first city to
realize the tremendous Importance and
great economic value of utilizing va
cant lots and waste grounds for gar
dening purposes The Philadelphia
Vacant Lots Garden association has
been making use of waste ground for
the past nineteen years and has given
employment to hundreds of her poor,
making of them sustaining and
self-respecting citizens = making OF
them producers instead of consumers.
''The people of the United states
are beginning to husband Nature s re-
sources, said Mr.. Clark in explaining
the thrift garden propaganda, 'wheth-
or we are drawn into war or not.
Thrift gardening will teach our people
economy, thrift and preparedness. We
have become an extravagant people be.
cause of our abundance. We have been
profigate with Nature s store house,
The present distressing situation Is, in
my opinion, largely due to willful
waste.
"While the National Clean Up and
Paint Up campaign bureau IS largely
concerned in the sanitary, safety and
decorative phases of community work
it recognizes that the thrift garden Is
/ one of the best means TO this end.
v
used backwards of community is ap.
palling. A plot of ground 25x5o feet
should produce not less than $50, and
under right and favorable conditions
should produce 800. Thrift gardens
would add considerably to the wealth
of citv and materially lessen the cost
of living to the individual house
/ holder
but, aside from the cash value OF
n thrift garden, there are other returns
/ the value of which cannot be esti
mated
First it gives occupation and tends
to create a contented mind. 1t keeps
man close to the heart of Nature. Il
teaches children the basic principles
Of life and the love of Mother Earth
"Then, too, there is health and ex
ercise value in thrift garden. TX
ercise for exercise alone to busy people
is bore and not regularly or Ions
continued.
"There is as much difference in th'
taste of vegetables fresh from the gar
den and those bought in the marke
as there is in seasoned and unseasonet
food, to say nothing about the nourish
ing qualities.
49,. " are Qtterlng silver trophy cup
and medals for the best thrift garden
in the 1000 cities where we inaugu
rated Clean Up and Paint Up cam
paigns, and to as many more elite
who will Join in the thrift garden
movement of the National Clean e
and Paint Up campaign.
Mr.. Clark places special emphasis !
. the backyard thrift garden. as it
, possible for every householder to re
/ duce the cost Of living by his own II
= dustry through utilizing what hereto
fore has been waste.
Plans are also being formulated 70
the conduct of vacant lot and vast
{ ground thrift gardens through organ
F. lied charities
Only quick maturing vegetable
, should be grown in backyard or othe
/ limited space thrift gardens, such q
, lettuce, radishes, onions, string beam
beets. carrots and tomatoes. In the ';
cant lot and larger plots thrift garden
potatoes may be grown Proftably, G
! 11.t 49,