The Boston Chamber of Commerce, in common with similar organizations in other Massachusetts cities, has been requested by the state department of agriculture to do everything in its power this summer to promote agriculture. Employers are asked to get into the actual work of farming, if possible, and to enlist their employees in the same work. Reference is made to the example of Columbus, Ohio, where 3000 business men have agreed to work on a farm one day a week throughout the summer. The various boards of trade are urged also, wherever they have opportunity to do so, through a traffic or transportation bureau, to hasten the movement of farm machinery, fertilizers and seeds.

In view of the dearth of farm labor and the other difficulties which are expected to cut the output of the farms this season, not only in this state but to some extent in every section of the country, the appeal of the state agricultural officials deserves particular attention and an active response to its eminently practical suggestions. Among these, the one which nearly every one can comply with is that which calls for the growing of home gardens. It is not too late even yet to start a bit of backyard cultivation that will bring good food at a cost to make that over-grown rascal, Costoliving, blush for shame and slink away into the tall timber. --Boston Traveler.