Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1918 — WILL GROW POTATOES [ARTICLE]

WILL GROW POTATOES

Boys and Girls Urged to Become “Patriots.” Woodcraft Potato Clubs, Founded by Ernest Thompson Seton, Will Compete for Medals. New York. —Home gardeners last year were prompted by only one patriotic impulse, to help increase our food supply. This year there is a second reason, the need to do all that we can to avoid further congestion of freight shipments. On account of their bulk In shipment, potatoes are therefore one of the nftost important of the vegetables for home growing and because of this the work of the Woodcraft Potato clubs, founded last year by Ernest Thompson Seton, Is meeting a hearty response. These clubs of boy and girl *potatrlots” as Mr. Seton has dubbed them, flourished in 26 states last year and the indication* are that their number will much

more than double this spring. Their slogan is “Grow a bushel of potatoes and save a bushel of transportation.” There are no dues or fees and any boy or girl who Is willing to raise at least 24 hills of potatoes can secure a Woodcraft Potato club button and compete for the medals and prizes by merely enrolling as a member. The headquarters are at 13 West TwentyNinth street. New York. A special class for older members who wish to raise a larger crop offers to ewch member raising one hush'd or more a special certificate for rendering patriotic service and a gold medal will be awarded for the largest crop. It is suggested that members contribute the proceeds of their crops to some war fund, but this is not required. The competitions and prizes are open to those who may already be working in a home conservation or garden club. In most states, potatoes planted during the first half of May do as well as those planted earlier; but whether or not you have already planted your potatoes, it is not too late to enroll in Mr. Seton’s organisation of “potatriota.” -