The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-03-25
Gardens Nothing NeW;
They We're Old Treat

You've heard the expression: The
amt what he us.a be and what's
more, he never Wuz.
In number of ways, these United
States of ours amt what they used
to be-but they WUZ!
Take these victory gardens.
My goodnessl 1t was long after
we moved into town population TO-
000) that | had my real private
gardening experience. Back on
Spruce street, of course, there was
whole orchard and the garden was
so big, it was ploughed. But big or
little, the backyard could produce
plenty for mother to put up" 1--WE
never called it "canning"l, every
thing from tomatoes and corn and
those cucumbers-' what memories
the name conjures up'-to those
wonderful watermelon pickles.
| was talking with another old
timer, and he isn't so old either,
about his little Kansas town. He
said he couldn't remember anybody
who didn't have garden; or had
milk delivered to the doorstep ell
Their.
When the onions and the radishes
stuck their sprouts up, used to
watch them with an eagle eye hoping
| would be able to deliver a luscious
bunch OF them before the corner
grocer had his somewhat wilted
product to display Of course,
never could beat him by much and
by the time the fat tomatoes were
asking for piece of lath to keep
their chins out of the dirt, all the
neighbors had them too. But that
didn't matter. Came the day when
the kitchen was redolent with en-
trancing odors and the womenfolk' s
aprons were stained red as a vic
torious banner, and when evening
fell, the mason jars were cooling in
the pantry before they were stored
in the cool cellar.
In those days, about the only time
can opener was used was when
somebody preached Sunday eve
ming can Of sardines as special
treat to 90 along with the fudge
(made in chatting dish if you were
a little doggy and favored with
songs around the piano to mandolin
obligato.
And what about the dry threats?
No ice cubes. No cocktail shakers.
Perhaps bottle of raspberry shrub
from the top shelf from the pre-
serves closet--a rich purple liquid
which had been squeezed through a
cheese cloth bag with strong and
loving hands, the fat berries inside
plucked from those sprawling bushes
along the back fence.
What good things came out OF
the backyard garden by way of the
fruit jars and the jelly glassesl Can
you forget the ounces, smooth and
shiny and hard that hung on the
gnarled tree, harsh fruit that mys-
teriously turned into a delightful
pink delicacy, which spread over a
crisp cracker like benediction.
Drill Congressman
On Tuesday, March 2, 1913, there
appeared for the first time in the
history of America, the following
item in the Congressional Record,
the journal Of day to day happen
ings of congress:
RECESS
THE SPEAKER. Pursuant 10 the
Inherent power lodged in the Pre-
siding Officer in case Of emergency,
the Chair declares this House in re-
cess subject to the call Of the Chair
for the purpose Of participating in
a practice AFRAID drill. The alarm
has sounded. Members will leave
the Chamber as rapidly as possible,
and the galleries will be cleared.
Accordingly lat 2 o'clock and 10
minutes p. NO. the House stood in
recess, subject to the call of the
Speaker.
AFTER RECESS
AT 3 o'clock and minutes D. M.
the House was called to order by the