WHY ORGANIZE A CANNING CLUB? 
EK. H. Forrisratt, Corriann, N. Y. 
Farm Bureau Manager, Cortland, V. Y. 
The canning club movement had its 
inception with Mr. O. H. Benson, Wash- 
ington, D. C., who is in charge of boys 
and girls’ club work, and has afforded edu- 
cators of all lines of work the best oppor- 
tunity, to successfully meet the needs of 
the day with an education back to the soil 
and into the home. 
The formation of the club should be in 
the school, but fortunately it may be 
adapted to community interests, husbanded 
by the church, local grange, or by a few interested people who are 
public spirited enough to secure the advice and help on organizing 
a club, so gladly given by the State College or the Department of 
Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and which means so much to 
those enrolled: The movement should not, under any circum- 
stances, be undertaken unless some leadership is assured whereby 
the plans submitted can be carried out. 
Organization of the girls of twelve years or older under a local 
leader should be perfected in the winter months, and each mem- 
ber supplied with literature on the subject. Headquarters should 
be centrally located and be supplied with a stove, fuel, cold water 
and a canning outfit. The project will best succeed when the girls 
are encouraged and allowed to rent a small piece of land at home 
on which to start their garden. 
The first year it is best that everyone grow tomatoes because 
they afford so many practical lessons, such as starting the plants, 
fertilizing the soil, transplanting from boxes or cold frames to the 
garden, the cultivation and training of the plants, spraying for 
plant diseases, marketing the fresh product (always to be encour- 
aged when price warrants), and the canning of all surplus in glass 
or tin. Members should keep careful accounts of all expenses and 
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