Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/34

30 to be sure of a good many more pumpkins next year.

There are countless kinds of important seeds that children can gather in the fall, and save for next spring’s planting; squash seed, pumpkin seed, beans, peas, grains, are all seeds that will be very valuable to save. They should be carefully dried on a board in the sun, put away in labeled boxes or bags in a dry place, and watched all winter so that none may be eaten by mice. Beans form such an important food that we ought to gather all we can and dry them for eating in the form of soup in the winter. The common white bean, the lima bean, and the black bean are plentiful in this country and are almost as nourishing as meat. Boys and girls who have cultivated these in their gardens this summer may dry them for the winter and add to our country’s food supply. We have always thought that the green pods of the common string bean had no value as food, but in Europe they are saved, cut up while green, salted, and preserved in cans for the winter. They may be used for flavoring soups.

The seeds of melons should be gathered, dried, and saved for planting. The rind of the citron or the watermelon makes a delicious sweetmeat if it is preserved. And when you have gathered whatever you can find in the fields for seed and