Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1917 — FOODSTUFF IN WAR TIME [ARTICLE]

FOODSTUFF IN WAR TIME

By DR. SAMUEL G. DIXON,

Commissioner of Health of Pennsylvania. . ■ Food makes the sinew rtf war. During the activities of a war such •s the world is now experiencing, millions of men and women are engaged In manufacturing munitions for every requisite of warfare, both on land and water. ,2;,-^- ■ _*_JP©od supplies the very sinew of war, therefore, ths guarding of meat, milk, and grain becomes one of our imperative measures of defense. These essentials will have to be looked after to supply those active at the front and those guarding the great I treasures of our republic. __U»fnriunately,ut the present injiybe more than ever before in the history of the world, our people are restless and demand to be entertained. They ■ do not today, as much as in former times, make their daily occupations their play. For this reason they flock to the center§_jjf - population to be amused by'various forms of entertainment. This robs the farms and gardens of our country, which we can ill afford at such a time as this. With these conditions staring us in the face, our attention,.is -turned to a Befious condition which threatens a nation that may be long engaged in active warfare. No one can guess the length of time the United States of America will be involved in protecting herself from foreign interference With her national rights. Today, therefore, is the time to begin to economize In the use of foodstuffs. Gardening and farming furnish (health and profitable activities for women. If many idle women, and ithose who engage in sports of~vari-~ lous kinds simply to pass away the ‘time, should become active and spend itheir time in some useful occupation, Buch as gardening, it might be more (profitable to them physically, mentally pnd morally, and of inestimable value to their country. This is the time of all times for the leaders of society who are influential, to induce all those engaged in frivolous habits to make gardening and farming fashionable. Competitive farming and gardening by women would help to*maintain their health, and in many cases make the weak strong. With better health they would find the burdens of life becoming lighter and the nation would become stronger.