The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-07-09
SUMMER TIME PATRIOTISM.

1t is not condition peculiar to war time
which brings to the surface that tendency in
tie Individual to slacken up in his endeavors
during warm weather; and it is probably equal
" true, the other hand, that not even the
urgencies of war time will be compelling enough
to stimulate the individual to an activity which
he himself would regard as only commensurate
with the need of the situation. Human nature
and warm weather form combination which,
unless it is sllmnarly altered, produces just
one result: the minimizing of every activity to
the point where it does not interfere with ones
personal and physical comfort.
And yet We wonder if it is not true that sum-
mer time does present peculiarly valuable OPP
portunity for effective war service on the part
Of those who stay at home. Increased produe-
ton and effectual conservation of the materials
and commodities which are needed by the fight
ing forces are the two important duties con-
fronting the stay-at-homes in the field of sup
plies For such work summer is the critical
and productive season; and obviously any cur
tailment of attention and care on gardens andI
:ields would only work to the defeat of the orr
ssinal intention and purpose. One would prob
ably have to fight consciously the desire toll
slacken up; and it would have to be prodding
Of conscience at home, conscience reacting to
the realization of the seriousness of the stua-
ton which current information indicates. The
obligation to regard these duties seriously and
conscientiously is just as surely war respon-
sibiity as is the soldiers obligation to go over
the top at the command of his leader The diff
ference is one of kind rather than of degree.
On every side one sees and hears hints as toll
IL. L
efficiency in the national effort to stimulated
production and eliminate the waste These
suggestions are not mere rawlings of an magma
tive mind but are formulated with purpose
sponsored by the Government and intended tol
he used honestly by the people. America is
new at the war game it is true, and because
of her lack of experience she is doubtless maxi
ing misunderstanding plenty of them but mak-
ing them only once; and the sin is not so mrch
in erring once as it is in repeating the offence
From common counsel and concerted effort
there comes, whatever objection may be raised
unity of resolution, and that in the end can
clear away all sorts and degrees of obstacles
The prime necessity at this time is to get thel
people to take upon themselves individually
their share of the responsibility for the prose-
cution of the war; and the immediate applica-
ton of this need, it seems to us, is to make useI
of every minute of the summer growing season
to raise the volume of production to the high
est possible point. War gardens contribute tot
this effort materially by providing the smaller
families with an independent supply of PRODUCT
for both summer and winter use. And as such
war gardens are not only not to be scorned and
laughed at but are to be .egarded as of the
elements in well planr ed system for insuring
the soldiers Of the necessary supplies this
winter