A Tale of Two Maps...and Another Question

Humor me for a moment and prepare to open up two new browser windows.

Here we go...

First, let's take a look at Google Books' "About This Book" page for The War Garden Victorious, a 1919 publication by Charles Lathrop Pack (which I've mentioned here previously as it documents the rise of WWI Victory Gardens). I want you to scroll down the page until you see a map labeled "Places mentioned in this book". Leave this new browser window open.

Second, let's go over to Local Harvest, an organization designed to connect folks with local, sustainable food--CSAs, community gardens, farmer's markets, etc. We're going to focus on the map on the main page.

Now, please compare the two maps in the open windows. Do you notice something?

Pretty obvious, huh? The maps are remarkably similar, with a great big ol' hole in the middle of the country.

Now, here's my question:

I've written a wee bit about the challenges those of us face in that region from about roughly San Antonio westward. And, when I did, I thought that the issue was really a matter of soil/climate, etc. I still think that is a primary challenge. But now I'm wondering if there were other factors...like maybe those of us in what were then less-populated areas also face the challenge of culture.

Might the dearth of options today be in part a direct result of the fact that there was not a network of pro-home garden activists in place almost one hundred years ago?

Granted, after WWI, there were VGs for several decades...especially during WWII...and then there was the Dust Bowl, which would certainly point out that the area is definitely challenging to agriculture . And there's been all matter of human movement westward, which one would think would facilitate the seeding of such notions coast-to-coast. Though if the climate and soil were so different, maybe they would have trouble taking root.

I guess if we're going to move forward with a VG revival, I think it's important to recognize even the most obscure obstacles in place for some would-be gardeners and prepare to address them head-on, thoughtfully and proactively.

But for now just wonderin' aloud...no real answers...