Evening star., 1918-04-07
Government, Through Department Of Agriculture, Urges


horticultural investigation OF
the Department OF Agriculture
is industriously sending out In
formation relative to war gardens for
the United States. Prof. L. c. Corbett
Is In charge Of this office. In co-opera-
tion with this particular branch of
agricultural work is the states rela-
tion service, which has agents to apply
the information given out. They pro-
muIratel their work and its aims
through state. district and county lead
ers, chambers of commerce. boy ana
girl scouts, school teachers and others-
The Department OF Agriculture has
estimated that of the 20.oo0,ooO ram
ilies in this country third will prob
ably have gardens. and 1t Is the de-
partment's wish to serve this third
effectually. In reviewing the gardens
of last year II Is believed that the
failures were comparatively few. but
the department is determined that ef-
ncieney shall be so promoted that tnis
year, even though the number OF gar
dens- Is increased. the number OF iaii-
ures will be in proportion. consioera-
bly, reduced.
In order to insure more reliable re-
ports than were obtainable Tor 1917,
the department is preparing pieoee
card for this years gardeners Eacn
fortunate possessor of a war garden
VIII receive a pledge card, to which
he will append garden results at the
end OF the season. The card, IT Is
thought. will not only stimulate anna.
teur gardeners to fresh efforts, but
also WILL give in detail a record much
desired by the department.
War gardens are urged and wanted
not only because patriotism dictates.
but likewise because OF their inestlma-
BILE convenience and the immense ad-
vantage and the real comfort families
derive from them. Gardens in the coun-
try are taken more or less for granted
and suburban districts are steadiiy IN.
creasing their quota of gardens, but II
Is city gardening that the department is
doing it's utmost to encourage. CITY
eonditions are generally conceded 70
bo averse to successful gardening, put
that the greatest deterrent is the mex
perienee of the average city dweler
along horticultural lines.
City gardens are not infrequently
strange and novel things, as seen
through the eyes of the farmer, but
they can be quite as successful as the
farmers vegetable garden. Once city
family has a taste of hrst-ciass PROD
Uc0 1tom lts own edIoen sio i'IiI-s
ambition is bound to soar. which prom
ises well for next season. And, indeed,
aside from the pleasure OF having fresn
vegetables at hand, there are many
thinEsto be said In favor OF the city
gArdeM
Any garden carefully planned and In
tel1fEently cared for is bound to bring
results and there Is not the slightest
necessity of its becoming burden. The
energy which goes into garden exer-
else ordinarily escapes by way OF less
praetfca channels; indeed. an aston.
tshlng amount is foolishly frittereo
AWAY.
Assuming that Mrs. Jones wishes to
raise her own vegetables for the ia
bla.-duxing the coming season. and In
case she Is frankly at sea as to just
the proper method of procedure, she
ponological and horticultural investi-
gnttons department of Agriculture in
Washington. From this Office will ema-
nate q vast fund of general information
and she will Immediately be put In
touch with local agents who are IA
are in a position to give her much val
uAble advice.
Mrs. Jones' may have only q tiny
garden plat. but she will be astonished
70 learn the quantity of good things
that she can coax from her bit of
ground II she handles 1t capably. Or
Mrs. Jones may have no vacant ground
1t all, In which case she will be in
formed of limited area at her dis
ficular~ neighborhood Is unusually
crayaHed for room. she may indeed be
forced to grow her garden stun on her
roof or in window boxes. Even this is
fAr better than nothing. for 1t insures
supply Of fresh radishes. lettuce, pars-