FIGHTING HIGH PRICES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1920, Page 4

FIGHTING HIGH PRICES.

INDUSTRY IN KITCHEN GARDENS. ROAD TO CHEAP VEGETABLES. A strong factor in the householders' crusade against the cost of living is the kitchen garden, and more extensive plots are being cultivated this season than ever before. Householders are showing more industry than they have done previously, and this is shown by the unprecedented sales of garden seeds and plants imported by New Plymouth vendors. \

Especially in the case of seed potatoes the planting is most marked, being due no doubt, to the very unsatisfactory and unsteady supply of this very necessary vegetable in past years. Unfortunately the spring growth has been very backward, a succession of hard frosts some weeks ago playing havoc with early gardens. However, the welcome warm rains of the last fortnight have caused a wonderful recovery, and a good and plentiful season now. seems assured. It is pleasing to note that agricultural societies are promoting kitchen garden competitions, and that many of those in a. position to do so, are entering into the competitions with zest. ' Not only will such action tend to bring down the ,cost of living, but it will also be a practical and businesslike reply to the urgent call for increased production. For instance, the common ,cauliflowers are now gelling at 2s 6d to 2s 9d each, and other vegetables sell at exorbitant prices. Perhaps it is not generally recognised that at this prifce an acre of land would produce £3OO worth of cauliflowers, or a, garden plot 20 yards square would produce £2/5 worth. All authorities agree that vegetables are the most healthful and nutritive of foods, and the public are beginning to recognise what a wealth of nutriment and remuneration lies dormant in their little garden plots, waiting only to be materialised by judicious tilling and planting.