Reasons for Learning Gardening 19 
to tired nerves, and the 
feeling of ownership and 
the interest in watching' f 
the plants grow gives 
us satisfaction and peace 
of mind. Sucha mental 
condition gives content- 
ment of mind and sta- 
bility of character, and 
helps to make good 
neighbors and good citi- 
zens. 
Gardening improves 
the family diet. Fresh 
vegetables are necessary 
to the health. They 
supply bulk in the diet; 
‘they furnish calcium, 
iron, and other minerals 
i, Fic. 16. Gardening gives practical busi- 
that are often lacking ness training. This young gardener is 
; preparing her tomatoes for market so care- 
in other foods , and from fully that there will be no complaints from 
them we get substances her customers. 
called vitamins that are 
absolutely necessary for health. Scurvy is due to the lack 
of a vitamin found in abundance in tomatoes, turnips, 
cabbage, and other fresh vegetables. The vitamins that 
make milk and butter so necessary in the diet are collected 
by the cow from the grass, and the same vitamins are 
found in all green vegetables. Recent experiments with 
animals make it seem probable that the chief reason 
for tooth decay is a lack of vitamins in the diets of 
