Foreword

Bob Bergland -Secretary of Agriculture.

GARDENING FOR FOOD AND FUN is a practical book for gardeners of all types—from the beginner to the proficient, from young people to retired persons. Advanced gardeners will find this book helpful as a refresher and as a reference source.

There are four sections in this Yearbook: Introduction to Gardening, Home Garden Vegetables, Fruits and Nuts, and Home Food Preservation. The last section tells how to preserve and store your garden produce at peak quality for year-round use, and it stresses the need for proper techniques to avoid health hazards.

Gardening is one of America's most popular activities. A U. S. Department of Agriculture study last year found that nearly half the households surveyed either had a garden or intended to have one.

Why do people garden? The survey suggests three main reasons: 1) a preference for the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables, 2) an interest in gardening as a hobby, 3) a desire to save money and cut the food budget.

But besides saving money, a lot of intangible satisfactions come from gardening and home canning. Who knows the value of being able to say, "I raised it myself" or "I prepared it myself"?

We wish you the best of luck in your gardening, and hope this book will be helpful.