MILLER] CIVIC ASPECT OF GARDENS 75 



Men, women and children cannot be well as long as their 

 home conditions are exposed to disease breeding and fly breed- 

 ing streets, alleys and back yards. A man cannot be moral on 

 an empty stomach. Dyspepsia is not conducive to the highest 

 moral and spiritual growth. 



Thousands of persons are victims of tuberculosis because of 

 congested and unwholesome home and working conditions. The 

 associated charities annually expend millions of dollars to al- 

 leviate suffering and want. Sanatoriums and jails are filled 

 with persons who would be leading wholesome, moral, useful 

 lives. "Bad boys" in reform schools and juvenile courts are 

 victims of misdirected energy. Defective and crippled chil- 

 dren are barred from many occupations because of their mental 

 and physical limitations. 



Within the borders of every village, town and city in this 

 country there are hundreds of acres of waste and unproductive 

 land in vacant lots, back yards — a civic blemish — which could 

 be made to provide occupation, food, health, and moral and 

 intellectual growth for hundreds who demand and require help 

 for existence. 



If the money and energy expended in every community for 

 relief and reformation could be used in constructive work the 

 influence in this country would be overwhelming. 



We men and women gathered here today from all sec- 

 tions of the country, representing the most diverse working condi- 

 tions, have it in our power to alleviate some of the misery and 

 wretchedness of our various communities, and at the same time 

 give a stimulating uplift and impetus to the boys and girls, men 

 and women, who make the back bone of society. 



The school garden work as a factor in education has come 

 to stay. Because of its recognized efficiency in the development 

 of the child's whole nature it is rapidly being introduced into 

 the schools. In many instances the cause is espoused bv per- 

 sons whose only claim to success is unbounded enthusiasm. 

 Those of us who have the vision of its educative possibilities 

 must insist upon the work being based upon scientific principles 

 and practice. One of the most important phases of the school 

 garden education is to place the subject before the members of 

 the Boards of Education in such a manner as to secure their 

 co-operation and support. Most of these men and women are 

 like the man from Missouri. You cannot make brick without 

 straw, and you cannot expect to have good gardens without 

 fertile soil, fertilizers and good tools and seeds. These things 



