The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-04-09
VICTORY GARDENS COMBIN]
PLEASURE PROFIT AND
PATRIOTISM

Some folks want to do all they
can for their country at war; a few
want to get all they can for them
selves. The two classes are incom-
patible, but there is one place where
the twain can meet, and each attain
it's goal-in the Victory garden
There every volunteer gets health
full exercise; has the delight of max
ing things grow; enjoys fresh, plant
ripened, dew-washed vegetables,
and makes a contribution to his
country's pressing food needs. And
what does it cost him? Nothing. He
saves money and gains vitamins by
not having to buy vegetables from
the grocer.
1t is good for all of us to get
back, while still alive, to mother
earth, and Americans are doing that
with vim. Last year, says the Agr1-
culture Departments annual report,
Probably more than 5 million
families cared for some kind of Vic
tory garden" OF these, 10 million
were in town or suburban areas,
and their gardens were earnestly
cultivated. When it is realized
that the 100000 farm home gar
dens in 1889 produced $500 million
worth of vegetables (not counting
potatoes and sweet potatoes) an
idea can be had of what some s.
100000 farm gardens did last year.
The All boys and girls alone pro-
duced in their Victory gardens last
year 100000 bushels of vegetables
and canned more than 100000
jars of food.
The 1912 Victory gardens were
success, to the Joy and Ca little)
surprise of the Agricultural Depart
ment, which was skeptical at the
time the idea was first outlined at a
national meeting Uf garden clubs in
Washington in December of 1941.
There was the memory of the many
! failures made in the war gardens
| of 1917, when lawns and play
grounds were plowed up with disap-
pointing results. But the Depart
ment went along, advising partici-
pants to select only good ground in
sunny locations, and not to waste
seed. The surprisingly good result
was attributed in large measure to
the plant-breeding scientists who
nave developed sturdy, non-wilting
disease-resisting strains of vege-
tables.
The Department was, and is, es-
pecially anxious to have every farm
family cultivate garden, particu-
larly sub-standard families, and
preliminary estimates made in just
Ia states showed an increase last
year of 6O5,SO0 farm gardens. A
large portion of these were plant
ed by FSA farmers.
The number of town gardens
doubled last year.
The goal for 1943 Is $4,000 Vic
tory gardens, of which states H. w.
Hochbaum, chairman of the USDA
Committee on Victory Gardens, lat
least 100000" must be farm gar
dens. He stated that IS per cent OF
the 1912 pack of the most import
ant canned vegetables went to the
Government. Therefore vegetables
should be grown not only for the
table during spring, summer and
| fall, but for winter reserves.
Nutrition experts have found out
lot about Vegetables of late, and
they tell us that we have not been
eating enough of those rich in min
erals and vitamins-some because
they don't realize their need for
them. The more common vegetables
have been classified as they provide
specially good sources of vitamin A;
thiamine; absorbic acid, ribo-favin
calcium and iron.
Urging more Victory gardens
ito lessen the drain on commercial
food stocks and ease transportation
burdens" Secretary Claude Wick
ard said: I'VE are recommending
that Victory gardens give special at
tention to the green and leafy vege-
tables, yellow vegetables and toma-
toes, as those kinds are rich in the
vitamins and minerals necessary for
good growth and health" Mr.. Wick
ard wants more city gardeners, all
who can find sunny space with
fertile soil". whether at home or in
a community or allotment garden,
that can be reached by bus or street
car. Where fertilizer Is needed, he
said, Victory Garden grade, 1887,
has been authorized.
The response, as far as can be OBJ
served, is promising. According to
the Gallup public opinion poll, Al
per cent of families questioned had
gardens in 1871; 4S per cent had
gardens In 1912, while 54 per cent
proposed to raise gardens this year.
The greatest increase in gardeners
is in the country and small towns.
because many people in large cities