The morning times., 1896-04-27

When Mayor Pingree of Detroit in
augurated in the summer or S94 the plan
OF assisting the poor or bis city by securing
for them the privilege to cultivate the
vacant city and suburban lots for their own
benefit, thereby lessering the applications
OF those who Were more or less dependent
ON public charity for their daily wants,
he established custom that is icing
cmulated by the charitable and benevolent
organizations in nearly every large city
i'll the United States.
Tie question or securing lots in this city
aud vicinity and the raising Of funds for
their cultivation by the poor is one in
which tie members OF tEe board CT trade
| and Associated Charities are earnestly
considering.
The Pingree plan, which was found TO
work well III this city last year, viii in all
probability he resumed this year and ef-
forts with that object in view are now
being made by those particularly interested
in the matter.
During The year e95 thirty-eight persons
representing as many families, were en-
gagcdin cultivating the vacant lots in and
about Washln gton. That the benefits de
rived from the crops raised on these lots
was considerably more than was expected
is shown in the statement made by lady
connected with the Associated Charities
eight who cultivated lots last summe made
application for aid during the past winter.
WHAT THEY RAISED.
This in itself is a most excellent showing,
and is perhaps the strongest argument that
can be used TO induce the Associated Chari-
ties TO resume the operations in 1886
which were started in 1895.
The statement made by the board of
managers of the Associated Charities In
reference to last years work is very
encoura ging. OF the $3.50 contributed
last year, S235 was used In aid OF the
lot-cultivating scheme. The thirty-eight
persons engaged ia working their small
city farms raised 81 Ia bushels OF potatoes,
II 1-2 bushels OF turnips. 26 bushels and 8
quarts OF beans. ; bushels OF corn, .E02
heads of cabbage, in addition 10 other
vegetables OF sufficient quantity TO more
than supply the needs OF the sev eral
families.
One OF the men who had charge OF a lot
sold 81 worth OF sugar corn, 81 .12 worth
OF parsley, and 81 80 worth OF lettuce.
Another sold six bushels Of tomatoes, 200
radishes. and 800 dozens OF sweet corn.
All this was in addition to the truck
which they kept for their own use There
were fifteen assignments OF ground in the
northeast section OF the city, nine in the
southeast, seven in the northwest, and four
IN IHe county. IT IS aSEcEJeu IliGI OulE
about one-half OF the land was tit for
cultivation.
The soil this year will certainly be in
better shape 10 Till, for the working il
received last year will help il very much.
The question OF the rOtato-lot operations
for 1896 came up for consideration at a
recent meeting of the board of trade and
it was there decided that il anything
in reference TO the matter was to be done
Ia rF,.
Charities TO take the necessary steps. and
il was referred to that Organization
WORTH TRYING AGAIN.
The board OF mana gers OF the charities
organization referred the matter to its
own executive committee with the unani-
nous recommendation that the plan should
be carried out this year providing sufficient
funds could be raised for the purpose.
General Secretary George s. Wilson, of
tue charities organization being questioned
in reference 10 the matter. said:
The plan is well worth trying again,
for besides the decided benefits derived BY
the poor people, it has been good lesson
for them. for they We're taught in cul-
tivating the land for themselves, TO be
thrifty. indus riOuS and self-supporting.
Only $3.50 is needed TO carry out the
plans which have been proposed and al
| the next meeting OF the board OF mana gers
steps viii be taken to carry into effect
the ideas pertaining to the cultivation of
the several lots which may be offered for
this particular use"
Mr- T l.. Moore, a member OF the boa I'd
of trade and member OF the A Associated
Charities, who is the shining light in the
branch of charitable work, was out OF
town yesterday when a Times representa-
tive called at the office of the A Associated
! Charities. The secretary said he would not
return until next Tuesday. when prompt
steps would be taken to secure the use OF
| the lots and TO raise the necessary money
| 70 cultivate them properly.