men not otherwise employed may be gathered and housed, such 
farms to be devoted to the raising of crops requiring a maximum 
amount of hand labor. 
Erect at these centers facilities for drying and canning such food 
products for preservation and for transportation. 
The largest asset for food production is the thousands of farms 
already organized under the management of experienced farmers. 
Here should go the maximum of the enlisted men, and the camps 
should be ready at all times to furnish lists of available help, it being 
understood that men under employment by the farmer are on fur- 
lough and off government pay. 
Enlisted men not employed on private farms should be at the camp 
farms under military discipline, but under agricultural leadership; 
such men to devote their first attention to the production of food under 
the direction of an agricultural leader, chosen in each case for his 
ability in the particular kind of farming followed at this special camp. 
The plan of farming should be such as to afford time for regular 
military drill for those of military age and below, in order to afford 
preparation for such as are going to the front as soon as their age 
limitations or physical disabilities are removed. 
Enlistment for civil-military service should not only be considered 
as a patriotic service, but it should be made attractive through formal 
recognition, as by uniforms, by use of special organizations, ranks and 
degrees of efficiency, even promotion and commissions. Especially 
is this true for the younger men and boys. 
Course of Lectures at the New York Botanical Garden 
The New York Botanical Garden, in co-operation with the Inter- 
national Children's School Farm League, began in April a series of 
courses in gardening: a Simple Home Garden Course for those de- 
siring to conduct their own gardens and a Training Course for Teach- 
ers for School Gardens. 
These courses consist of lectures and practical work, and during 
the winter Greenhouse courses will be organized. 
The great gardens of the Bronx offer an unparallel laboratory for 
such work. 
All correspondence relative to these courses should be addressed 
to: 
Henry Griscom Parsons, 
Supervisor of Gardening Instruction, 
Mansion, New York Botanical Garden, 
Bronx Park. 
