Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-26
WASHINGTON. D. c.,


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-
tlon with this particular branch of
agricultural work is the states rela-
tion service, which has agents to apply
the information given out. They pro-
mulgate their work and its aims
through. state. district and county lead
ers, chambers of commerce. boy and
girl scouts. school teachers and others.
The Department of Agriculture has
estimated that of the 2Oo0O000 fam
lilies in this country a third will prob
ably have gardens. and 1t is the de-
partments wish to serve this third
effectually. In reviewing the gardens
of last year 1t is believed that the
failures were comparatively few, but
the department is determined that eff
ficiency shall be so promoted that this
year, even though the number of gar
dens is increased the number of rail-
ures will be in proportion, considera-
bly, reduced.
In order to insure more reliable re-
ports than were obtainable for 1917.
the department is preparing a pledge
fortunate possessor of war garden
will receive n pledge card, to which
he will append garden results at the
end of the season. The card, 1t 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 ars urged and wanted
not only because patriotism dictates,
but likewise because of their inestima-
- f,,,a aftgn d
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 steadily in
creasing their quota of gardens, but 1t
is city gardening that the department is
doing its utmost to encourage. City
conditions are generally conceded TO
be averse to successful gardening, but
the deparement is endeavoring to show
that the greatest deterrent Is the mex
perience of the average city dweller
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 taste of first-class prod
Nce from it's own garden the family
ambition is bound to soar, which prom
ises well for next season. And, indeed,
vegetables at hand, there are many
things to be said in favor of the city
garden.
Anytgarden carefully planned and in
telligently cared for is bound to bring
results and there is not the slightest
necessity of it's becoming a burden. The
energy which goes into garden eXer-
else ordinarily escapes by way OF less
practical channels indeed, an aston
ishing amount is foolishly frittered
away.
Assuming that Mrs. Jones wishes to
raise her own vegetables for the ta-
BILE during the coming season, and in
case she is frankly at sea as to Just
the proper method of procedure, she
will communicate with the Office OF
pomological and horticultural investi-
cation, Department of Agriculture in
washington. From this ONCE Will ema-
nate a vast fund of general information
and she will Immediately be put in
touch with local agents who are IA
miliar with local conditions and who
are in a position to give her much val
liable advice.
Mrs. Jones may have only a tiny
garden plat. but she will be astonished
TO learn the quantity of good things
that she can coax from her bit of
ground IL she handles 1t capably. Or
Mrs. Jones may have no vacant ground
at all, in which case she Will be in
formed of a limited area at her dis
posal near her own home. If her par
ticular nelBnDOfnOou is Unusually
cramped for room, she may indeed be
forced to grow her garden stuff on her
roof or in window boxes. Even this is
far better than nothing, for 1t insures
supply of fresh radishes, lettuce, pars-
ley and other of the smaller but ex-
ceedingly palatable vegetables.
Many urbanites are planning to make
their gardens on the roofs of their
l. ses or in their window boxes. Spare
time will be utilized to excellent ad-
vantage in exersise about the garden,
and the outdoor exercise will pay for
itself in improved health, not to men
tion compensations in actual achieve
ment and luscious food
Men and women, boys and girls of all