The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-07-05

Mr.. Pack wishing to do war work which was
actually necessary, which essentially practical
and which would certainly aid in making the war
successful, conceived the idea in March, 1917, of
Inspiring the people of the United States to plant
war gardens In order to increase the supply of
food without the use Of land already cultivated of
labor already engaged in agricultural work, of
time devoted to other necessary occupations, and
OF transportation facilities which were already
inadequate to the demands made upon them.
He thereupon organized the national war garden
commission. 1t was not federal government
body, though It was indorsed by the administra-
tion and the Quartermaster generals Office CO.
operated with 1t at soldiers camps The commits
sion consisted of Charles Lathrop Pack, president
of New Jersey; Luther Burbank, California; p. p.
Claxton. United States commissioner Of education,
Washington, D. c.; DR.. Charles ". Eliot, Massa.
chusetts; DR.. Irving Fisher Yale university, Con-
necticut; Fred H Golf. Ohio; John Hays Ham,
mond. Massachusetts,; Fairfax Harrison. Virginia;
Myron I. Herrick. Ohio; President John Grier Hib-
ben, Princeton university, New Jersey; Emerson
McMin, New York; A. W. Shaw. Illinois; Mrs
John Dickinson Sherman, chairman of the con-
lseryation department of the General Federation
of Women's Clubs, Illinois; Capt ]. B. White Mis-
Esouri Hon. James Wilson, former secretary of ag-
riculture, Iowa Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Carl VrOOman (f0r the year 1910; P. s. RidsdaIe
executive secretary, who was also executive secre-
fary Of the American Forestry association, with
The conservation department of which the COM
mission was affiliated, and Norman G. McLoud
associate secretary. Mrs. Sherman also was ap-
pointed by the department Of the interior special
assistant director in charge Of wOmens organi-
katioos, Of the United States school garden army,
fifth which the commission was in close co-opera-
ZION.
"Put the Stacker land to work. was the first so-
IAN @: the commission. War gardens are essen
ljally jamy-power institutions. But big business
t1aught the spirit Of the hour and capitalized the
Enthusiasm of numbers and the healthy rivalry Of
cams by establishing community gardens financed
u it and worked by it's employees The railroads
thent big business better; the children of the
lfation Lut it over both of these; daylight saving"
ave them all a chance to take time by the fore
fck; while preserving kettles, canning clubs and
@hydrat!on plants all contributed their several
onares in the saving of the fruits of the national
dadeavor.
n Results Are Amazing.
n THE results were amazing. The 1917 war gar
d ns numbered approximately 100000, and their
products are estimated at $35O,OO0OOO. The
M reports show 600 gardens and food prod
tbs Of $525.OOO,OOO. The first season 5OO,OOOOOO
Rrts Of vegetables and fruits were canned in
the number increased to 145O,OOOOOO quarts.
lthis of course, is but small part of the story.
sdbeeds such book as this to show Us how many
Ter things there are the story, for instance,
III releasing If many kinds of labor and the
hfeening of railroad congestion. The book gives
tEnteresting picture of mighty host many mil
tfs strong gaining new strength and refrigerated
. nth by handling the hoe, and getting exercise as
tf9h as golf and tennis, more profitable than
Ter and more patriotic than both The gardens
III titled ranged from neglected. weed-mas-
ID r,,bbih-littered vacant lot to city park.
u bows at Camp Dix went over the top as gar
IL rs at home before they got their opportunity
~ 20 over the top crusaders In the glorious
De of human liberty abroad.