New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-30
AT WORK ON THE VACANT LOTS.
PLOTS ALREADY ASSIGNED TO THIRTY
MEN-PROSPECTs OF SUCCESS
FIJI. SEASON

The members of the Mayors Committee on the
Tlage of Vacant Lots feel that they nave good
reason for encouragement In the success when mas
already been achieved. The work this year Is IN
much more forward state than at the same time
last year In fact. the first meeting of prominent
citizens TO take action in the matter was not heid
a wear ago until May /. and. considering the late
ness with which the beginning was made then 1t
is surprising that anything at all OF consequence
was accomplished
This year the committee went to Work betimes'
and although the active members did not anticipate
any large rush Of applicants already about thir'y
men have had plots assigned them. and the WORK OF
planting potatoes and various vegetable seeds mas
been going on for several days. OF the men already
at work twenty-five were sent from the general
Office of the Bureau of Charities and the others
from the branch offices.
II requires certain degree OF intelligence anu
capacity to appreciate the advantages OF work OF
this sort and in considerable persuasion
has been necessary One man who was prevailed
on to make a trial Of II has already shown indlca-
lions of a desire to give II up, apparently because
he is unwilling to put forth the physicai ehor'
necessary: but his wife Is strongly inclined 10 30
on with the work herself, and would undoubtedly
do so II she were that she would not De the
only woman engaged on the vacant-lot farms. =
One advantage OF this of work for those In need
of help the heads of families can take their
wives and children with them and have their heip
in cutiyatng the vegetables that the family are
TO use. while at the same time they all get glimpse
of the country and that contact with nature al
first hand which is such rarity 10 those born and
bred In cities
The members OF the committee have beeh COUNT
ing on assigning plots TO at least forty men, ana
feel that II that number Is secured the work LOT
the season will be a success. The present indca-
lions are that there will be more than that mum
Der at work in a few days for applications arc
coming In all the time. " g. . 49,
The seeds and tools furni shed free to tne
farmers; advice and instruction are given 70
those who are ignorant OF the way TO go TO work
and through the generosity OF the Brooklyn Ele-
waited Railroad free transport alton IL iurnished 10
all applicants who vouchef for ny the bureau
OF Charities The cultivation OF vacant Iots IS nor
a part of the regular work of the bureau. nut IL
bids fair TO become important annex 10 IL, as
IL is directly in the line OF the work carried on
Quoted by the bureau as 4 means OF lurhiSh'hg
work for the needy. 49,
Mr. Nichols the secretary OF the bureau, tx
pressed his qualification yesterday al the interest,"
which had already been aroused IN the cultivation
OF the vacant lots the disposal OF INC com
mlttee in the Twontysixth Ward. lie sall that ne
han gone out to look at the ground and inc woIk
one day last week. and was much pleased with inc
| appearance OF things and at the prospects. ne
work was in good shape, and the men were tthths
hold Of Il In the right spirit. lie reErettcl INA
he was able to give only little time 10 TINS uh-
| dertaking, which is really a burden that ne Hss
voitntarIly added 10 his regular duties as he ielt
sure that IL he could devote more attention to II
| II would be a decided success. As II Is, ne s'es
! every reason for encouragement. ana THINKS thAt
the matter as a whole Is in a most promising con-
dit!on at this early stage