— for such a sacrifice would be an irreparable blow to horticulture — 
they should make up their minds that for the present luxury garden- 
ing should be reduced to the lowest limits. There is no reason why 
easily-grown annuals should not continue to be grown, nor why Rose 
beds should not be allowed to remain, but energy devoted to the 
frequent tending of lawns and paths, the raising of conservatory and 
other decorative plants, the early forcing of luxury fruits, ought not 
to divert any gardener from the urgent duty of raising vegetable food. 
The quantity of such food raised in gardens and never accounted 
for in the market returns is enormous, and can undoubtedly be in- 
creased. If in every district the gardeners will become members of 
the Royal Horticultural Society's Panel of Patriotic Gardeners, or 
put their leisure time at the disposal of local organizations engaged 
in encouraging food production, they will be at once discharging a 
duty and rendering a real service to the State. 
Nor is it too much to hope that gardeners who can show that 
they are doing the maximum possible in the cultivation of food crops 
and in helping their neighbours as well, will be recognized authorita- 
tively as doing work of national importance. 
The World's Crops 
If any man needs evidence of the importance of cultivating as 
much food as possible, he will find it in the statistics of the world's 
crops. The Wheat crop of the United States is below the average 
and export will be reduced. The Argentine has produced little more 
than half its average crop. The yield from the Northern Hemi- 
sphere in neutral or allied countries, and in the Old and New Worlds, 
is about three-quarters of last year's crop, and somewhat under 
the average. Nor is the shortage of Wheat made good by increased 
supplies of other cereals. The Rye of the Northern Hemisphere is 
nearly 5 per cent less than in 191 5, Barley nearly 10 per cent less. 
The World's Oat crop is about 14 per cent less than last year, and 
Maize, so far as is yet known, has given a poor return. When it is 
remembered that armies are inevitably, and in spite of every pre- 
caution, extravagant food consumers, it will be evident that many 
people in the world will go hungry during this year, and that it is the 
duty of every man who has the use of ground to grow all the 
vegetable food he possibly can. 
Comparative Value of Vegetable Crops 
It may be stated with confidence that of all crops grown in gar- 
dens the Potato gives the largest return as measured in calories per 
