THE WAR GARDEN VICTORIOUS 51 
Shortly after the Camp Dix war garden was started, 
Secretary Baker gave the undertaking his hearty en- 
dorsement in the following letter addressed to the 
National War Garden Commission: 
The War Department finds much satisfaction in the 
creation of war gardens at various army camps by the 
Conservation and Reclamation Division of the Quarter- 
master-General’s office. Food production at these 
camps has been the subject of some concern with the 
Department. The large areas of tillable land within 
many of the military reservations have been regarded 
as offering potential food production on a large scale, 
and I feel that the army is to be congratulated that the 
utilization of this space has now taken concrete form. 
Camp war gardens will serve more than one useful 
purpose. The production of food at the mess door is 
of great importance in that it not only lessens the army’s 
demand on the usual sources of supply but eliminates 
transportation as well. 
To the National War Garden Commission I extend 
the thanks of the Department for its quick response to 
the appeal of the Quartermaster-General’s office for 
cooperation. Not confining itself to mere compliance 
with the letter of the request, the Commission entered 
fully into its spirit. At a time when funds were not 
available through Government channels the Commis- 
sion voluntarily provided seed, fertilizers, and equip- 
ment which made possible the establishment of a war 
garden of 300 acres or more at Camp Dix. For this 
generous contribution and for swift action to overcome 
the handicap of a late start I take pleasure in making 
this acknowledgment and in expressing the hope that 
the Camp Dix war garden of the National War Garden 
Commission will prove an unqualified success. 
