The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-23
NEED $500 TO Aid
GARDEN MOVEMENT
Fund Is Sought for Paying
Expert Instructors.
WILL HELP FEED SOLDIERS
Home Gardens Called Important
Factor in Conduct Of War.
WILL HELP FEED SOLDIERS

Fifteen hundred dollars is essential
70 the life and success OF the home
garden movement in the Nations Cap
itaI
The money is needed TO pay com
petent persons to explain to the peo-
pie so eager to learn gardening the
best methods OF planting and raising
crops. Later expert instructors in
canning and drying garden products
will be needed.
These facts were made known last
night at a meeting of the Central
Garden Committee at headquarters,
room 304 Star building.
That the gardens will play an i'm
portant part in feeding the soldiers
at the front as well as the people at
home was brought out by many
speakers.
The Red Cross may care for the
wounded" said Mrs. Charles W. Wet
more, president of the Capital Garden
Committee. which already has donated
81 800 to the cause, ''but home gar
dens must feed them. The people
have given freely TO the Red Cross in
large amounts. / am confident that
when they learn what we need the
money for they will flock to our as
sistance."
Urged to Do Their Bit.
For more than an hour representa-
tivss OF the many organizations dis
cussed methods Of procuring the need
ed money.
Resolutions were passed calling on
the citizens associations and other
bodies interested in the cause to do
their bit
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter. vice presi-
dent Of the Central Garden Commit
tee. was appointed chairman OF the
ing the fund. She appointed repre-
sentatives Of the AFFILIATED organiEA-
lions TO serve with her.
II was arranged by the representa-
tives of the several associations pres
ent that they were to advocate the
raising of as much money a. possible
in the organizations which they repre-
sent
win Help Feed sOldierH.
Mrs. wetmore urged that something
be done to finance the committee
at once.
1--WE must feed our soldiers" she
said. Home gardens will attend to
much Of this. The products from the
gardens this season do not amount to
much. but just see what position our
boys and girls and the other home
gardeners will be In another year,
when we do need the food, and that
badly.
Indications point to seven years
of bloody war. We will need food. 1
am sure the people OF the nations
Capital will give the money. They
gave freely to the Red Cross. We
have to doctor the sick and wounded.
Also we have to feed them. Home
gardens will help in this cause"
Garden Conditions Favorable.
H. n. Connolly, Department of Agri-
culture demonstration in charge OF
the local home gardens. reported that
conditions were most favorable. and
that local amateurs were rapidly alb
sorbing the essentials of gardening.
He said over rs per cent OF the land
OF the District not occupied by streets
and buildings was under cultivation.
Mr.. Connolly urged cooperative thin
ming Of plants.
when you thin your plants save
the pulled plants for the use OF your
neighbors," he said.
Mr.. ConoIly said he had distributed
many thousands OF plants, but more
were needed.
John Dolph said he hoped to pro-
cure the Postoffce Departments
grass plot for the gardeners who
want IT
w. G. Stanton, representing the
Georgetown Citizens Association,
said the home garden movement had
caused the town" to rise from its
BlumberH