THE WAR GARDEN VICTORIOUS 55 



Moreover, the knowledge that his employer is inter- 

 ested in his welfare inevitably creates a kindlier feel- 

 ing on the part of an employe toward his employer. 

 When officials of large concerns worked side by side with 

 their men in the factory gardens, as many far-seeing 

 managers did, a sympathetic understanding sprang up 

 that could have been created in scarcely any other 

 way. War gardening gave opportunity for the "per- 

 sonal touch" which manufacturing on a large scale 

 and collective bargaining have almost eliminated from 

 modern industry. 



Perhaps these things can best be made clear by 

 quoting a captain of industry. Speaking not only for 

 himself, but also for other leaders of "big business," 

 the superintendent of Foster, Merriam & Company, of 

 Meriden, Connecticut, wrote as follows to the National 

 War Garden Commission, after war gardening had been 

 tried out for a year at his plant: 



Besides the material gain, the garden work promoted 

 a fine spirit of democracy and fellowship among the 

 men. Everybody, from the president to the humblest 

 employe, had a garden plot. And officers and employes, 

 working together as they did, fourid mutual interests 

 and fellowship there. The employes took a great deal 

 of interest in the work and kept the entire ten acres in 

 perfect shape, free from weeds, and well cared for at all 

 times. Owing to the interest manifested and the good 

 results obtained, it will be necessary to secure additional 

 land next year. 



Among the large companies which helped their men 

 in this way was the Carnegie Steel Company. Here is 



