New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-13
FARMING ON VACANT LOTS.
THE WORK TO BE GOT UNDER WAY THIS
WEEK.
A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS AL
READY MADE-THE COMMITTEES PLAN OF
woRK-FREE RAILROAD TICKETS
FOR THE FARMERS

Tho allotment of lands to be cultivated by the
poor has already been begun by the Committee on
the Tillage OF Vacant Lands. Of which Elections
Commissioner Jacob W. Erreger Is the chairman
and 1t Is expected that the actual work OF planting
the potatoes and other vegetables will be started
by the middle OF this week The land has already
been ploughed About twenty acres will be put
under cultivation. Last year eleven acres were
worked and Of course. this part Of the lots used
is In better condition than that which has just
been broken up.
The land IN use last year will be assigned to the
earliest applicants. who VIII have the advantage Oh
getting their work under way betirnes, as well as
the advantage Of securing land that was cultivated
and fortified year ago. considerable NUMBER
of applications have already been received Apd nied
but as applications have been received not only at the
principal Office OF the Bureau OF Charities. but at
its two branches. in the Bedford region and In the
Northern District exact figures on this head have
not been compiled
The plan OF the committee Is to lay out the lana
IN plots Of about ones!x,h Of an acre each, and 10
assign one OF these to each worthy applicant ii
any man shows himself capable OF caring Tor more
an additional plat may be assigned to him. ana the
committee reserves the right to take away the
allotment OF any who does not take proper care
Of II or attend to his work as he should
The seed POTATOES have already been purchased
and are on the ground ready for use as soon as the
men come TO time. The needed seeds nave been
onplied for at Washington and the application has
been favorablv received They Will doubtless be
forwarded at an early day. The principal crop cul-
tivated will be potatoes; after those Will come
beans cabbage and turnips. the latter, OF course.
being planted much later in the season. Those VINO
wish TO raise peas. lettuce and corn VIII be en-
couraged to do So but these will not bc the staple
crops The idea Is to get the potatoes In the
ground at the earliest moment Peas and lettuce
may also be -lanted early while other things Will
come later on The work will all be under careful
and intelligent direction. and those who are Ignorant
OF farm work Will receive full instructions.
A supply of tickets has been placed In the hands
OF Secretary Nichols by the Brooklyn Elevated
Railroad Company. which. as already announced IN
The Tribune has consented to carry all the vacant
lot farmers and from Their work without charge
Its generous action has been highly appreciated by
the members OF the committee. and. the lines
OF this company reach all parts OF the city-or
almost al--it will be easy for any one who wishes
to engage In this work TO 90 so WITH the smalest
effort his par,
Pains will be taken in the distribution Of tickets
TO see that they do not fall into the wrong hands.
and there will also be special precautions TO pre-
vent any one from getting allotment OF land I'M
less II certain that he Is deserving OF the assist
ance ne Is TO receive. The committee was imposed
on last year TO some extent out market gardeners
who think 20 get the free Of land and tools.
with seed thrown in will find that they cannot i'm
pose on the committee this year.
The prospects excellent that the work this
year will be much more successful than last. but IN
order carry 1t on properly additional funds VIII
OF the COMMITTEES VIII probably be issued. In
addition 70 the lots cultivated by individuals, II Is
the intention Of the committee 70 plant several
product OF which will be used In relieving the wants
OF the needy. as was done last year