Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 192, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1918 — Drying Plants Save Food [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Drying Plants Save Food

C/wnmnnity Establnhment Provides Simple and Convenient Method of * Conserving Perishables

Establishment by municipalities from municipal funds of drying plants for fruits and vegetables where conditions are favorable is a most important way of preventing waste of perishables; according to the United States department of agriculture. i In municipal plants the work should be supervised by the city council or other town authorities. If the plant' is not a municipal plant, it is best to place it under the guidance of some association already in existence, such as a civic improvement Club, commercial club, home-school garden club, or a special community club organized for the purpose. i As an example of a club that can be formed for the purpose, a department bulletin tells of one community that has a drying plant'and in which a special community club of approximately 60 farmers has been organized primarily

to look after the operation of the drying plant. The officers—president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer —constitute the executive committee and are intrusted with power to act. A simple form of constitution and by-laws has been adopted; and meetings of the dub are held monthly or oftener, usually at the drying plant, which in this instance is in a room of a church Municipal or government-owned drying plants have been in successful operation in European countries for years. Such plants provide village communities with a convenient and simple method of drying all sorts of produce of the home garden and orchard, as well as the vegetables and fruits shipped to the community, which might be allowed to go to waste at the stores, and market places. The drying plant described in the bulletin follows closely the specifications of a community plant at Lincoln, Neb., and 11 others in that general section, aU of which were operated successfully during the summer and fall of 1917. - The advantage to the busy farmer’s wife in the country community cannot be overestimated, says the bulletin. Her work is heaviest in the summer when vegetables and fruits must be saved for winter use. The establishment of a community drying plant at a consolidated school, country church, or cen-trally-located farm home would offer a great relief from heavy kitchen duties.

The Convenient Home-Made Fruit and Dryer, Made of Lath and Wife Netting.