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this country, and the widespread discussion 

 of every phase of the question in the news- 

 papers and magazines, the great majority of 

 the people still look on the food problem as 

 a proposition merely of "increasing the 

 food supply." Recently, numerous publica- 

 tions, well meaning but somewhat lacking 

 in their sense of proportion, have instituted 

 a campaign to stimulate the planting of 

 vegetables in back yards, open lots, small 

 parks, private and public lawns, and so on. 

 This is all right as far as it goes, and it 

 seems too bad to have to criticize a move- 

 ment so praiseworthy in its intent. But the 

 great danger liable to attend this plan of 

 every one planting his "little bit of ground," 

 is the false estimate sure to be formed of 

 the benefits to be derived from such efforts. 

 A large proportion of those who will thus 

 engage in agricultural pursuits on a Lillipu- 

 tian scale, are totally uninformed and inex- 

 perienced. Not only will this make the har- 

 vest extremely doubtful, but devoid as these 

 amateur farmers are of practical knowledge, 

 they are bound to make mistakes, neglect to 

 do the things they should do, and look for 

 results that are impossible of realization. 

 The public, misled by these activities and 

 the attendant enthusiasm, will become over- 

 sanguine in regard to the returns, and be 

 falsely reassured as to the effect on the real 

 situation. 



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