FARM GARDENS. 23 



enlistment of California farmers in gardening for the pro- 

 duction, at least, of home supplies, the fact remains that 

 farm gardens should be multiplied and that, with proper 

 spirit and effort and appreciation of their value, they can 

 be more easily secured than the popular impression among 

 California farmers would indicate. There is a wealth of 

 experience to show that where good timely work is done, 

 under conditions either naturally favorable or rendered 

 favorable by moderate effort or investment, very gratify- 

 ing results have been attained on farms in all parts of 

 California. 



Benefits of Farm Gardens. It is trite to build arguments 

 on this theme, but. the points can hardly be sharpened by 

 comment. The dietetic benefit of vegetable food in variety 

 has been demonstrated both by individual experience and 

 by the food studies which are now being systematically 

 pursued both in this country and Europe. Working force, 

 thinking force, the quality of success in all lines of human 

 effort, are all promoted by a generous, well-balanced food 

 supply. 



The hygienic benefit of food, including due amount of 

 the succulent, aromatic, tonic and assimilable characters 

 which are inherent in fresh and well- grown vegetables, is 

 universally recognized by authorities. The truth has par- 

 ticular force in a region of high temperatures like Cali- 

 fornia. The so-called cooling of the blood, the develop- 

 ment of resistance to malaria, the free and healthful op- 

 eration of the various functions of the body, are unques- 

 tionably promoted by vegetable food. 



The economic benefit of home-grown esculents has been 

 most clearly discerned during the last few years and the 

 result is a gratifying increase of interest in farm garden- 

 ing. More vegetables have been grown recently on Cali- 

 fornia farms than ever before. The low market values of 

 some of our most important special products have given 

 an impetus to diversification of crops which a century of 

 exhortation could not have compassed. California farmers 



