South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-21
GETTING READY To
USE THE BACKYARD.
Must Produce Food and More
Food Than Last Year to
Help Win War.

HOW snail we get ready Tor nome
gardening activities in 1918 is a
question now reaching the United
States department OF agriculture
from all sections. To these Ques-
TONERS the department is giving the
following advice:
Determine the location and the
area 20 be planted 90 vegetables as
soon as practicable. Clear it Of rub
bish and as material suitable for a
compost heap is available, start one.
Arrange, II possible, for the neces-
sary fertilizer for the seasons gar
den from local sources such as sta
bles. streets or abattoirs. Add these
materials to the compost heap so as
20 insure as large a supply as pos
sible OF suitable material with the
smallest practicable use Of com
Inercial fertilizers. This is desir-
able 10 insure plant food and TO
save expense. Commercial fertilizers
are scarce and high and in garden
work, even when such materials are
abundant and relatively cheap, they
can not entirely replace stable
manure and compost. Each city or
town should be able 20 supply the
major part Of the needs Of its gar
dening population if the fertilizers
produced within its limits are hus-
banded for their use
Get Seeds Early.
As soon as the spring catalogues
are available, select the list Of seeds
needed 10 plant the area TO be used
for gardening In choosing the list
have in mind the selection OF those
sorts which did best last season.
those which the family reiished
most. and determine the quantity
with care i'm order that only the
seed necessary to meet your require
ment be purchased. The supply Of
some Of the important varieties o.
garden seeds is limited and in or
der that all may obtain the guam
tity needed 70 meet their needs,
every one should cooperate to make
the supply available produce a
maximum crop.
Place your seed orders early.
Plan Your Garden in Advance.
In planning the garden have due
regard to supplying the family with
fresh vegetables as well as those de
sired for canning or drying. but re-
frain from entering the field of
commercial vegetable production
unless you are an experienced prac-
teal gardener with suitable soil and
location and adequate capital to
finance the operation.
Planning the garden on paper
that is. drawing a right plan 10
scale on which are indicated the
spaces to be devoted to early plant
ing and later crops. the best plant
ing dates, etc.,-is an interesting |
winter evening employment for the
entire family.
See that garden tools are properly =
protected and are ready for spring /
use Fave fruit trees and small !
fruits pruned and sprayed at the |
proper seasons
Secure Farmers Bulletin, No. |
SIS. The Small Vegetable Garden" |
and books on gardening and prepare |
yourself 10 make every seed count.
Why Not a Gardeners Club?
The experienced gardeners Of !
neighbcrhood viii find profit as we'll /
as pleasure in the formation of |
local garden club. The meetings |
can be conducted on the basis Of /
experience meetings TO the mutual /
advantage OF all; beginners should f.
take advantage of the experience Of /
successful local gardeners in plan |
ming their operations Many valu- 1
able hints can thus be obtained that /
can not be found i'm books or pa
pers on gardening In these times I
It is not only a privilege but duty I
10 pass on the results Of garden ex- /
perience when such experience may I
save another from error or increase /
his chances Of success.
The effect should be 10 provide (
for ones needs only.
Plant proven sorts in sufficient I
quantity only 70 supply the table I
and TO meet the canning and dry /
ing requirements. Make the seed /
supply 100 percent efficient.
Husband the local fertilizer sup |
ply by beginning early 10 accumu-
late manure and other materials for /
a compost heap
Tell your neighbor the sorts that |
did best for you last year and how /
YOU treated them TO secure best re- /
suits. Point out the don't as well
as the do" in gardening. Help the
other fellow 10 help himself.