THE WAR GARDEN VICTORIOUS 139 
hour a day, once or twice a week, or all day every day, 
according to the needs. 
Our country is calling upon the women of America 
to do their utmost to preserve for winter use all garden, 
orchard and market surplus. In millions of homes 
prompt action has been taken for home canning and 
drying. There remains, in addition, an enormous sur- 
plus still uncared for. The solution of the problem is to 
be found in community drying, which is simply organ- 
ized drying, not for commercial profit, but for mutual 
aid and facility in the conservation of vegetables and 
fruit for home use. 
How can a community drier best be started ? If three 
to six or eight families are to benefit, it will be neces- 
sary to secure a room with running water in or near it. 
A space is necessary for conditioning, and, provided it 
is not damp, the same room or one near by may be 
used. Space and facilities for blanching vegetables are 
essential, so that chimney, gas or electric connection is 
also needed. Such a place can doubtless be found in 
the home of one of the members. 
An evaporator can be purchased for from $25.00 to 
$50.00. A stove to supply heat to the evaporator is 
needed and very probably would not have to be bought. 
A home-made dehydrator can be readily devised and is 
practical where rates for electricity are low. A motor- 
fan running on kerosene or aclohol is also on the market. 
Hot air combined with the fan makes the drying more 
rapid. Drying by air blast without heat is satisfactory 
in dry climates. Where the atmosphere is humid, the 
