CONTENTS

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

APPENDIX

Color Plates

WILL YOU HAVE A PART IN VICTORY?

"Every Garden a Munition Plant"

James Montgomery Flagg

A Poster Spreading the Idea of Militant War Gardens

Maginel Wright Enright

A Poster for 1919, Symbolic of Victory

Maginel Wright Enright

CAN VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND THE KAISER TOO

J. Paul Verrees

A Poster Which Was Used in 1918, and Which, Amended–Following Germany's Defeat–Was Also Forceful in 1919

OTHER POSTERS

WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON

June 7, 1918.

NATIONAL WAR GARDEN COMMISSION,
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Dear Sirs:

     The War Department finds much satisfaction in the creation of War Gardens at various army camps by the Conservation and Reclamation Division of the Quartermaster General's office. Food production at these camps has been the subject of some concern with the department. The large areas of tillable land within many of the military reservations have been regarded as offering potential food production on a large scale, and I feel that the army is to be congratulated that the utilization of this space has now taken concrete form.
     Camp War Gardens will serve more than one useful purpose. The production of food at the mess door is of great importance in that it not only lessens the army's demand on the usual sources of supply but eliminates transportation as well.
      To the National War Garden Commission I extend the thanks of the Department for its quick response to the appeal of the Quartermaster General's office for co-operation. Not confining itself to mere compliance with the letter of the request, the Commission entered fully into its spirit. At a time when funds were not available through Government channels the Commission voluntarily provided seed, fertilizers and equipment which made possible the establishment of a War Garden of 300 acres or more at Camp Dix. For this generous contribution and for swift action to overcome the handicap of a late start I take pleasure in making this acknowledgment and in expressing the hope that the Camp Dix War Garden of the National War Garden Commission will prove an unqualified success.

Cordially yours,
(Signed) NEWTON D. BAKER,
Secretary of War.

UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION

Baltimore, Maryland.
September 14, 1918.

NATIONAL WAR GARDEN COMMISSION,
Maryland Building,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

     We wish to express to you our appreciation of your helpfulness in our war garden, canning and drying work in Maryland during the season of 1918. Your book on canning and drying has been of great value, while the canning outfits which you so kindly gave us made it possible for us to establish canning centers throughout the State, with results of far-reaching importance which could not have been otherwise accomplished. We are equally appreciative of your prompt and willing response to our request for the services of one of your trained investigators to assist in our war garden work. Your spirit of prompt and willing service is cordially appreciated.

Yours truly,
(Signed) EDWIN G BAETJER,
Federal Food Administrator for Maryland.