100 YEARS AGO IN THE SARATOGIAN
Tuesday, April 23, 1918. “Hundreds of homes in the city will be without certain kinds of winter vegetables” unless public school students grow those crops on Saratoga Springs’ six colony farms, The Saratogian reports.
For the second year of the U.S. war against Germany, students are being urged to grow vegetables to meet a “tremendous local need.” Domestic produce shortages may result as food resources are allocated to the U.S. military and its allies in Europe.
John H. Irons heads a committee to organize the colony farms that includes Mayor Harry E. Pettee and school superintendent Charles L. Mosher. Students who volunteer will form part of the United States School Garden Army.
“The committee urges every parent who can to encourage their children to participate in this very practical effort to help solve one of the great problems of the war right here in Saratoga,” a reporter writes, “Every pound of food that is raised by Saratoga boys and girls releases another pound for use here in America or across the seas.”
The project will need 200 students to work the six colony farms. They’ll grow potatoes, beans, onions, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnips, cabbage, green and yellow string beans, radishes, lettuce, spinach, peppers and tomatoes.
The incentives offered aren’t entirely patriotic and selfless. Students will pay a $1 registration fee but will get to keep the proceeds from the sale of their crops. Last year’s colony farmers earned on average between $10-$14 from their labor, according to Irons – up to $250 in 2018 money.
Declare Temperance Lessons Necessary
“What are we doing for Temperance in the Sunday schools of Saratoga?” is the topic of today’s meeting of the Saratoga Springs chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union at the home of Mrs. Thomas Ward.
One of the nation’s largest anti-alcohol organizations, the W.C.T.U. provides quarterly “temperance lessons” for use in Sunday schools. Representatives of local Baptist, Congregationalist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches report that lessons are given to all ages as “a determined stand was made for every effort for putting down this great evil.”
The national W.C.T.U. leadership urges members to make sure all churches use their lessons. “It is proved over and over that eternal vigilance is necessary to keep the good gained by a great effort from slipping back and being lost,” they note.
Zbyszko Wins at Mechanicville
Heavyweight wrestling star Wladek Zbyszko makes up for his missed March 22 date in Mechanicville by beating Charles Pospishell in two straight falls tonight at the Star Theater. Pospishell substituted for the injured Tom Draak. On the undercard, Albany’s Congo Kid defeats Maine’s Swift Mead in two falls.