Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-02-21
GOVERNMENT IS ASKING FOR MORE:
 HOME GARDENS
Civilians Who Raise Food Will Release Farm Crops
 For Europe.

The eagerness with which German soldiers dropped their rifles, cried "Kamerad," and called for soup :; the walls of hunger from the former empire of the eX-kaiser; walls of the same sort from Russia and elsewhere these and other instances indicate the part that food had in forcing an end to the fighting and victory for the allies and the United States.
 American farmers have won un- stinted praise for the way in which they increased their production; home gardeners in city and country now are coming in for compliments of the same character. The farmers were the heavy artillery of Americas fooG army, but the home gardeners were the auxiliary trOOps--deliverinS light CT individual blows, perhaps, but in total huge assault-and to the home gardeners is given credit for a def mite part i'll throwing the food bal ance in favor of the forces of freedom.
 The home garden specialists of the United States department of agrfcul- ture would be far from claiming that the home gardens of America, nmer- ous and productive as they were, "won the war" But they do believe that the home gardens supplied vege- tables that decreased the demands on meat and wheat and other staples, pro- duced food at home without calling on the railroads to carry it, saved many a dollar that went into Thrift stamps anG Liberty bonds, and in such ways contributed beyond doubt to the strength of America mobilized.
 This Years Need Just as Great.
 In 1919 the need for food is changed from that of last year, but it is just as great. There will be fewer American soldiers overseas to supply with food, but there will be more hungry civil ians of other nations. The railroads Will still be overburdened and will have no more space than necessary for transporting food The state, the county, or the town that feeds itself will be contributing to the essentials for reconstruction lover there" and readjustment at home The home that feeds itself, at least partially, will be helping the nation as we'll as itself
 Every American home with a suit able plot of ground will find it advan- tageous to help feed itself by a gar den. The garden will reduce food bills, insure the freshness and quality of the family's vegetable supply, fur nish healthful exercise, and give an insight into the workings of nature. It will be converting unused land and spare time into food. !"
 Government Prepared to Help.
 The department of agriculture has made ready to give help to home gar- deners and carry out the same slogan as last year, "A productive home gar- den on every farm and a backyard garden for. every village, town, and city home" It will work in direct CO. operation with the extension forces of the state agricultural colleges. one of the most extensive organizations of this character ever formed i'll the world. The horticulturists of the de- partment have the campaign in of plant industry and, the state rela- tions service. In most states are home garden specialists representing the extension service of the state. col leges and the department, and in addi- tion the 2,500 county agricultural agents and the 1.70O home demonstra. ton agents in the United States will enlist in Ia huge army for productive work.
 The gardening information to be supplied the public 'by the department of agriculture and the cooperating organizations represents the best thought resulting from years of care full investigations hv the horticulture al specialists employed by the gov ernment for this purpose, and who arc responsible to the government for the relia ability of their conclusions. The department of agriculture, the state agricultural colleges. and the bureau of education swhich is enlisting the in. terest of teachers and school children ngardeniO, are the only officia sources of information on thts subject
 The department is supplying infor- mation to newspapers for publication It also has ready for distribution three important bulletins. They will be sent free of charge to all Americans who ask for them. They are:
 Farmers Bulletin 934. Home Gar. dening in the South"; Farmers Bul. letin 936, "The City and Suburban Vegetable Garden; Farmers Bulle tin 937. "The Farm Garden in the North"
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