For Wholesome, Economical Food, Grow It Yourself, 1940

“Views of a County Agent” by W.C. Davenport, Mecklenburg County Agent, as published in The Carolina Times, Durham, May 11, 1940. This issue is online at http://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/newspapers/id/17112/rec/1

No other plot of ground on the farm of similar size contributes more to the health of the family and wholesome, economical production of food than the family vegetable garden. To attempt to elevate the home garden in terms of dollars and cents is a difficult task when one considers the value of the crisp, juicy vegetables that come fresh from the real home garden and the definite savings in the year-round food budget.

It is not a difficult task to grow as many as 20 different vegetables during some period of the year in Mecklenburg County, and have at least three or more different kinds of growing each month in the garden for at least eight months of the year.

While in conversation with a high school principal of Mecklenburg County a few days ago, he came forth with some long and drawn out constructive plans for what he expected to do in the producing of a good home garden on the high school campus. Over the hills to the white and colored neighbors homes he went seeking horse power to un-earth the proposed garden plot. Knowing of his good intentions, all of the neighbors contacted turned thumbs-up and the mules and farming implements poured in from upstream and downstream. A list of vegetables have been made out for this garden: beets, beans, kale, onions, peas, potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, squash, sweet corn, okra and carrots.

All of this might be found on the campus of the Plato Price high school of which Prof. G.E. McKeithem, and to, the growing of a garden on the campus will give the boys more experience in using their hands and will give the girls a rich experience in canning.”

I wish to hail the progress of this school project for I feel that its practical value is equally as important to the progress of the community at large as it is to the high school proper.