Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-13
GETTING TO WORK
The System to Be Pursued in Helping the
Needy.
Chairman Moore Talks Entcrtainin 81 ,
Upon the Raising of Winter
Food Plants.


farms will be begun tomorrow, when the
committee in charge of the work will open
headquarters at 702 9th street northwest.
This place has been furnished to the COM
mittee through the generosity Of Mr.. w.
G. Dodge, who gave the use of a large
store room on the first floor and also
large office room. The headquarters will
be in charge of Mr.. Donnelly, who gave
excellent service to the managing commit
tees of the Grand Army encampment held
in this city in 1893.
The System to BE Pursued.
Mr.. Frederick L. Moore chairman of the
committee in charge, said today: There
has been some question raised as to the
amount of time that the people to whom
lots are given should spend on this work.
1t Is not intended that they should give
their whole time to the labor, but it is a
fact that many laboring men do now Guilt
vate small parcels of ground near their
homes, both before and after working
hours.
This can be done successfully. and there
will be good crops If the work is only done
regularly. OF course if men apply who are
willing to give their whole time to the
cultivation of larger plots in the suburbs
they will probably be accommodated. But
all applicants must be properly vouched
for. ard believe that this precautioa will
prevent any unworthy men from getting
the privileges that we are offering. Mr..
w. c. Dodge has been very generous in
giving US the office room and headquarters,
and we have had several other marks Of
the good viii of the citizens and business
men. From this office we shall manage the
affairs of the plan, and there We will es-
tabl.sh ourselves tomorrow. From 1t We
shall distribute the potato, turnp and
bean seeds that are to form the output Of
the committee in this way.
Winter Food to BE Raised.
'It is our intention to furnish such arti-
cles as can be kept for next winters use
1t Is not desired that the MEN who are
now at work shall be given outright the
means of raising food plants that they
can consume during the summer, when the
times are easy with them. The committee
has systematized its work, through the
experience of some of its members, so that
there will be no waste in the distribution
of these materials. Mr.. Freeman. the
florist. has kindly agreed to plant a quanti
ty of cabbages in his propagating gardens,
and they will be ready for transplanting in
July, which will be ample time for the CAB
bages to grow full and large for winters
use.
There is one advantage of the location
of the offices and headquarters that should
be noted The building is very near the
office of the Associated Charities. whose
records will be consulted in every case be-
fore granting applications. SO that the COM
mittee can be sure that the people are
worthy. and this. It Is thought, will be an
additional check against imposition"
Not Too Late to Plant Potatoes.
us 1t too late to plant seeds for a good
CROP" Mr. Moore was asked.
by no MEANS" was the reply. Mr..
Moore has had a practical experience in
this matter, and knows whereof he speaks.
The early crop of potatoes is planted in
this climate usually in March and April,
he continued, .'but the late crop can be
planted as late as June 10. That will give
a good crop of winter potatoes. Beans can
be put into the ground as late as August,
and there is an old adage, which is based
on experience, that turnips can be planted
as far along as the twenty-first of July,
wet or dry
1t is astonishing how large a crop can be
raised a small patch if 1t be properly
worked. One o. the best-known citizens of
the northwest section of the city bought
one acre of sand and gravel some years
ago en- the northern edge of Georgetown,
and that one acre. which afterward became
four acres. was the foundation of the large
fortune which he enjoys today. He began
by cultivating that little patch of ground.
and so skillful and diligent was he that he
raised almost incredible crops from it.
Applications Made Every Day.
'It should be noted that the seed pota-
toes, beans and so forth that we are going
to give out will be SO prepared that they
can't be eaten or used for any other pur-
pose than for planting. There are now
seven men at work on their plats, blowing
and digging. and the seed will go into the
ground In a few days. All of these men
have their own spades, hoes, rakes and
other agricultural tools, so we have not
been obliged to lend them any.
'1t Is a noteworthy fact that almost all
Of the colored people who have applied
have their own hoes and many of them
own spades. There are more applications
being received each day. We shall soon be
obliged to purchase tools, 1 suppose. but
we shall give them out to those who have
none, and are so well accredited that the
property will be safe in their hands,