The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-17
People of Cities Must Go Back to the Garden and
 Feed Themselves FOOD CONSERVATION NECESSARY TO WIN WAR, SAYS EXPERT
Movement to Be Extended Through out Greater Birmingham and Committee Named to Draw
 Plan of Organization

The spring garden campaign was for mally launched in Greater Birmingham last night when a representative crowd attended the mass meeting held in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce under the auspices of the food prepared ness and marketing bureau B. M. Allen presided and introduced H. S. Mobley, the garden expert, the speaker of the evening
 'The greatest thing that can happen to the people of the cities is for them to awaken to the potential power in the planting of vacant lots" said MT. Mob ley. and, If we can get the people of the United States back to the gardens we will indeed be able to feed our peo- pie. Food will win the war, and that nation that can supply the foodstuff will win, for the destiny of our country de- bends on our army being well fed"
 SUPREME SACRIFICE
 He spoke of the meatless, wheatless and porkless days set aside by the gov ernment and stated that these foods were absolutely necessary for our sol diers and were easy to pack and send to our troops in France. Food wasted is food lost,' declared MT. Mobley, ''and food lost or wasted in this emergency means insufficient food for our soldiers and unless they are well fed they will pay the supreme sacrifice in vain.
 Forty years ago the Germans started to vocationalize their people, and they became expert gardeners, the production of that country exceeding that of any other nation.
 FEED ENTIRE CITY
 If I owned vacant lot and it was so urgent as at the present time would not feel that I was loyal, patriotic, citizen. Food is essen tial and we must feed ourselves. I am sure there Is enough vacant property in to feed the entire city if it was planted.''
 In speaking of the campaign in Chi cago last year, MT. Mobley stated that o,320 acres were plowed and planted, 4 tractors, 12s horse blows and a carload
  planted the largest garden inl he world. The average worth of the in iividual garden was $115'
 He spoke of the seed shortage and | lrged everyone that would plant a | ,pring garden to buy the seed at once md be prepared, as there would be a sreater demand for seed this year than ,ver before in the history of the country.
 HELP WIN WAR
 sIf the people of Birmingham will ,lant all vacant lots with food crops and earn how to conserve and show the pa riotic spirit of cooperation, we will | lave a much greater Birmingham. It is he duty of every man or woman. wher- yer he or she lives. to take a hand n this movement and prepare to help yin this war;
 In conclusion, MT Mobley said. Make one great garden and bring 0 this city the great happiness that yill come with large food crop"
 B. M. Allen spoke of the hardships nd the food shortage of our army in 776 and of the condition of the south uring the civil war and urged the CO., of every citizen of Birming- am in this great movement. He then alled on Commissioner J. Ellis Brown, rho pledged the support and co-opera- ion of the city fathers in this move lent.
 EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN
 T. P. Hay, Jr., secretary of the food bureau, under whose aus ices this campaign was launched, tated he was in favor of starting an ex- ansive campaign at ->once, suggesting hat mass meetings be held at Ensley, last Lake, Woodlawn and other sub rbs. and that MT. Mobley speak at each lace.
 Judge Allen stated that anything hat can be done in Chicago can be one in Birmingham" and motionl as made that the chairman appoint a ommittee to draw up plans of organi- l ation and that a mass meeting be held [onday night at 7:30 o'clock in the hamber of Commerce auditorium Tor le purpose of organizing this cam aign.
 DRYING PROCESS
 Mr Mobley, the garden expert, ad- ressed an audience composed of house. ives. teachers and delegations from ( asper, Ensley and Pleasant Hill at le Chamber of Commerce auditorium esterday morning, explaining the dry /, lg process in food conservation. The ] rying of vegetables and fruits is the ( asiest process of conserving the sur l lus of garden products. according to { IT.. Mobley, and the equipment and rocess was so simple that those pres { nt yesterday could hardly believe 1t rould prove so satisfactory a way to 2 onserve. MT. Mobley declares that any fam g V with this equipment, which Is home lade, can be fed, with the exception bread. the year round from small lot of ground. By planting a spring arden, conserving the usual waste and hen a fall garden, there will be need ,r but few trips to the stores. If