Page 316 - G5.1_M1-5

myNotes
Ye Olde Victory

Garden

3 During World War I (1914–18), cities Another Victory for Gardens
around the world began running out of
5 During World War II (1939–45), the War
food. Thousands of farmers served in the Food Administration in the United States
army instead of tilling their fields. Fertile created the National Victory Garden
ground was destroyed by combat and Program. Its goal was to re-create the huge
bombs. International waters became very success of the gardening movement during

dangerous for ships carrying food. the previous war. This time, the results
4 In 1917, a new organization in the were even more astounding. The USDA
United States called the National War estimated that more than 20 million plots
Garden Commission decided the solution were planted during the war.
was to grow food on a small scale closer to
6 By growing fruits and vegetables,
home. It encouraged citizens to use all people felt they were contributing to the
available growing spaces and taught people war effort. They were ensuring the country
how to can and preserve food. Soon after, —and its soldiers—had enough to eat, and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) freeing up resources needed in wartime.
began its own campaign to get people For example, metals and other materials
growing. As a result, the number of garden normally used in food production could be
plots rose from 3.5 million in 1917 to more put to military use instead. Railroad cars
than 5 million in 1918. carried less food, allowing them to carry

more munitions.
plots Plots are small sections of land that are used
for a certain purpose.

“ Everyone who creates or cultivates a

garden helps . . . This is the time for
America to correct her unpardonable

fault of wastefulness and extravagance.”

—AMERICAN PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON, 1917

316