The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-28
CHARITY THAT AIDS.
CULTIVATION OF VACANT CITY LOTS
BY THE UNEMPLOYED.
low the Famous "Pingreo Patch" Idea
Has Been Successfully Carried Out 40
New york-Report of tho on
Work Accomplished.

patches In Dctfolt, Dl mchns VI WIN"
vacant city lots wcro turned over TO a COM
mlttee by their owners and cultivated by
unemployed men of all conditions, has
caused philanthropists and Others In tho
large cities of tho Union TO turn their at
tention to this manner of aiding tho un-
employed.
The scheme wns tried In New York and
met with much success. The committee
has Just issued It's circular for the coming
year. II contains much interesting mat
ter pertaining TO this subject cot provid-
ing immediate work on a business basis
for all unemployed, however unskilled,
who might be willing and capable"
The following Is an extract from tho ro-
port:
"This success OF the cultivation OF va
cant city lots by tho unemployed, In
which, at an expense of s3.6 60 each TO tho
mayors committee, nearly 1000 families
were enabled to support themselves
through the winter by their potato crops
alone, was brought 10 tho attention of Mr..
Bolton Hall, u son Of the Rev. DIR. John
Hall, in 1895. Ho realized that the scheme
not only sustained the workers, but
trained them and relieved the charities
from the strain of constant applications.
1.-THE committee availed themselves OF
land in Long Island City, comprised In
three largo tracts Of 1873 acres, donated by
wealthy landowners.
"Tho plan embraced a means OF provid-
ing immediate work on q business basis
for all unemployed, however unskilled,
who might be willing and capable.
Funds came In slowly, probably bc-
cause the charitable failed 20 recognize ut
once that this was n substitute for many
charities rather than u supplement 10 ono.
Applications for land were received
very slowly indeed, ms the people seemed
10 mistrust that in some way the promised
advantages were TO DO taken away from
them after n seasons hard work. How
ever, after the crops began 10 appear above
ground, applications were received at the
rate of 40 or 80 a day. One result OF the
tardy applications was that the committee
found 1t had about 40 acres ready for cul-
tivation, but unassigned. AS they were
then out of funds, this land was used as q
cooperative farm. E~ighty-four families,
representing gel people, received allot-
monts.
"Tho superintendent was aided by two
assistants, SO that tho scheme was prao-
tically a farm school. This instruction,
the blowing Of the ground, tools and fer
~tilizcrs were furnished without charge to
the applicants.
"Tho New York committee therefore
begins the season of 1896 rich in expert
ence, whereby the expenses for the coming
season can DO lessened and the yield vastly
increased. It's expenses will always DO
heavy, from the facts that the ignorance of
tho applicants oompcls minute inspection
and that the cultivation is on scientific
principles.
"Tho cultivation of vacant lots should
be put on a business basis. Volunteer
service in superintendonce must be secured
and tho aid of tho city authorities availed
of to the fullest extont. AS an additional
charity, it will In tho end be a failure. As
an educator and a natural social develop
mont it can do, and under wide minded
guidance will do, permanent and incalcu-
liable good. In future years 10 will be
found that many philanthropists will ro-
fuse to contribute TO miscellaneous char
tiles until this plan Is in operation in their
district. 1t is best to get tracts of as many
acres as possible In "a piece, and II the and
Is poor to collect tho swecpings Of the
street to be carted upon the land In the
spring or carried upon the land, from
time to time, as collected, to enrich tho
soil. The cultivation being intensive, tho
people would carry the manure upon tho
land themselves If II were given to thom.
AT any rate, tho collection Of fertilizer
will furnish some work during the winter
months. A careful account should DO kept
with each cultivator Of all seed, fertilizer
and his pro rata share of the expense OF
superintendent, INT SO forth. This, ex-
cept In cases or misfortune, can easily DO
and should be repaid to tho committee out
OF the produce of tho farms or by labor
expended on tho cooperative branch, SO
as to eliminate entirely aims giving"
The report adds:
but what were we TO do with those
who needed immediate support, who could
not wait for crops to growi
ave plowed up and seeded about 80
acres and gave all workers s cents an hoar.
'In addition, the workers were told that
they were to have q half interest In the
product OF these acres. Although this
was not begun till far too late for the best
results, whom tho crops were gathered
we found that the expense on this cooper
alive farm was 1900. as, and the value OF
the crops, which were disposed of TO tho
various charities Mt market rates, was ST.
067.65. After deducting an allowance for
rent Of land, cost of superintendent and
interest there was left s53 To DO divided
among tho workers.
This cooperative farm was conducted
entirely by the planters of the other farms,
the only difference being that on the co.
operative farm they were TO pay back all
expenses and divide the remaining profits,
the idea being not only to help these poo.
pie, but TO find out II cooperative farming
would pay. We started late in June with
about 40 men, some Of them hale. strap.
ping fellows. Six secured work shortly
after and left. The older ones, the intlrm
and those who, on account OF their phys
ical disabilities were not able Co 20 out and
secure positions were lett on our hands TO
carry on the cooperative work. Notwith-
standing the fact that this class of labor
was unable TO do In three days what q
good man would do In one, the CO operative
farm was "a success.
1T Is tho opinion OF the executive COM
mittec that this feature should be mado
the main one, rs II stimulate! the men TO
friendly rivalry, created u public spirit