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DOCUMENT 26
LETTER REQUESTING FREE GARDEN SEEDS
February 16, 1934

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Explanation

Walter McLaughlin, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture, referred this inquiry to the Illinois Emergency Relief Commission. That commission's division of subsistence gardens in turn advised Peter Van Trigt to contact his local county emergency relief committee. That agency could inform him if free garden seeds were available and if they were, whether or not he was eligible to receive them.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture in 1934 through federal subsidies was in the business of distributing free seeds and livestock feed to farmers on an emergency basis. The seeds it distributed however were for cash crops rather than for vegetable gardens.

Points to Consider

What was Peter Van Trigt asking Walter McLaughlin to do?

Locate Ottawa on a map.

Describe Mr. Van Trigt's circumstance.

Was Mr. Van Trigt's request reasonable?

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