Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1918 — HOME TOWN HELPS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME TOWN HELPS

MORE HOME GARDENS NEEDED Necessity Will Be Greater Coming Year and Organization and Co-Op-eration Should Be Begun Now. Co-operation has been suggested as a solution of many problems In farm production, and now J. T. Rosa, Jr., of the University of Misouri college of agriculture suggests co-operation as a means of reducing production cost for the vacant lot gardener. The average city gardener is not in position to plow anil prepare a garden plot himself. Mr. Rosa suggests that a number of gardeners in a given neighborhood employ a man and team to prepare their gardens. In this way the expense can be divided among them and the man and team can be kept busy throughout the day. If the community garden movement is extensive enough men and teams may be hired by the day or week, and each gardener’s plot can be fitted in turn. In this way the work can be done more cheaply than where each gardener hires his plot prepared by the job. A great deal of trouble can also be eliminated. Other advantages, such as purchasing fertilizers, manure, seeds, plants and other garden supplies can be had through cooperative effort. Since the spring garden should be planned in the fall, Mr. Rosa suggests that organization be effected immedi- , ately. The advantages of fall plowing and fall manuring have been demonstrated. The work should be done while the weather permits.

Co-operation will also provide efficient means of marketing the surplus products. Mr. Rosa suggests that every town have an organization of this sort. If the project is not supported by some other civic organization; the municipal authorities, or some industrial concern, the community garden movement should be organized on an independent basis. If the movement is large enough a technically trained man or woman might be employed to superthe work. This would be advisable only where the community garden plan was extensive and where the gardeners were well organized. While it may not be possible to organize the whole town, it is entirely possible for neighbors to obtain some of the benefits of the organization by co-operating in preparation of their garden plots. The necessity for home gardens will be greater than ever in 1918, and plans should be made immediately, so that the garden work will be more efficient and give better results during the coming season.