The broad ax., 1922-04-22
SIGNS OF SPRING

According to the calendar spring
was officially ushered in on March
2lst although the temperature was
more like February or mid-winter
than spring. Despite this fact, how
ever, there are even in a great big
city like Chicago many unmistakabIe
signs of the approaching open air
season.
And some of these signs that in
dicate the coming of springtime are
perhaps more noticeable to health Of
hcials than they are to the average
citizen. Long before the boys get
out their marbles or their baseball
bats. which are essentially early
spring pastimes, there are other man
ifestations which indicate in no I'M
certain way the departing of "Old
Man Winter"
For example, the Department mail
is beginning to be pretty we'll loaded
up with complaints as to beating
rugs on back porches: complaints
concerning piles of unsightly rubbish
the Accommodations of the winter, in
back yards, courts and areaways:
also letters from anxious housewives
inquiring as to what the law is which
would compel landlords to clean up
and re-decoratc their apartments.
And. finally. complaints as to condi-
tons in the alleys, some of which
have been neglected during the VIM
ter months and are sadly in need of
renovation. All these indicate an
awakening Of the springtime spirit, of
the return of the good old outdoor
season, which is always preceded by
a prevalence in most communities OF
"cleanacitis." In fact every house
wife is more or less inoculated with
this particular germ during the early
spring months.
Then another sign of spring is the
display of garden and flower seeds
to be seen in the store and shop win
dows of those who deal in these COM
modities. People of outdoor tenden-
cies and thrifty habits are already
planning a garden and getting ready
for the planting season.
The Department of Health for many
years has advocated back yard and
vacant lot gardens for city jewellers.
1t has done so for the reason that
there is distinctly a health side to
gardening. Most city people do not
get enough outdoor air and exercise
The back yard or vacant lot garden
win help to supply this need. And
outdoor air and exercise in the form
of gardening tend to promote bodily
health and vigor. The economic side
is well understood. There is a whole
lot of satisfaction in seeing upon your
own table fresh garden products that
you have tended and raised yourself
and the enjoyment of them amply re-
pays for all the labor and money ex-
pended.
It's a fine idea, too, to have the
children interested in the garden, es-
peciaily those that are big enough to
be of some service in helping to keep
it free from weeds and cultivating the
things that grow therein. For a
young person tending a garden dur
ing the growing season. it is as val
liable as a course for the same length
of time would be in the eighth grade
or high school. 1t helps to broaden
the understanding and to reveal to a
young and receptive mind any of ma
lures valuable and interesting secrets.
So, as the springtime is at hand |
and with it clean up, paint up and
brighten up time is also here, let US
all get ready for it. Nothing could
be more fitting. now that the season
is here when nature is ready to
brighten and beautify the world in
which we live, than that we also
should be ready and willing to do our
share towards Frightening and beau
flying the communities in which we
i've.
And this is why we should get in
.Ouch with the spirit of spring; get
-eady for a city wide clean up and