New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-12
DOUBTFUL AS TO ITS SCCCES".
UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE DO NOT FANCY THE
PLAN OF CCLTIVATING SMALL PIECES
LAND

Chairman Jacob W. Erregger, of the Mayors Com
mittee on the Tiiage Of Vacant Lands for the hehe
at of tho Unemployed OF the Cty of Brooklyn mas
called a meeting OF the committee for Friday. for
the purpose Of outlining the future course OF the
snovement ard - determine upon soIne plan, II
possbie by which the work can be successfully
conducted during the coming spring and summer
A report of last years work TO be submitted 10
the Mayor Will also be prepared
The committee appointed by Mayor Sch.ereh
and Organized on May J. 1880 II consists OF The
following members: j. W. Erfegger, caifma"' H.
F. Gunnson. treasurer; ". \. Bartlett George =
Bracket A. D. Wheelock A. A Day. w l.. Osdeh'
E F. IAnton James Mcmahon. Charles Naeher, A
ID Baird A. J. Newton, W. Rapeye ana Peter H.
McNuty The object Of the committee was to lay
out the vacant lands % the city for cultivation d!
the worthy unemployed, thus enabling them 70 sup
mort their families by their own labor twenty aOes
IN the Twenty sixth Ward were given by the Ger
rnan-Anerican Improvement Company. winch were
out nm into plots 25xOO feet each applicant 10 be al
lowed the use Of plot. ~ land was pous"'u'
q superintendent was eng TO supervise direct
and Instruct those who &c vantage " ''iV 49,
and all the necessary seed manure al" 'o''' W."
furnished free OF charge
az, 10 10 be regretted" said Mr.. EIregger 70
tribune reporter that although we sent circulars
20 all the clergymen in the city adVertiseu inc Pa
extensively in the newspapers. ana even engage" :"
solicitor TO look up worthy people ana endeaVor 10
induce them TO take plots and go to work only
third took good care Of their plots. and worked dill
gently and conscentiously in order that the pGoduc
tion should reach the maximum limit while the re-
manning two-thirds acted in an Indifferent manner
and II was often necessary 10 inform them tha'
their work was being neglected. Several OF the
latter, after having planted their SEEDS, apaiuQied
the work and never back to reap theu mar
vest" , $500.
The committee last year cultivated Sc, era aGfei
of land on its responsibility and on II raised
ITO barrels Of potatoes and 45o bushels OF turnps,
which were distributed between the various
branches Of the Bureau CO Charities and the Society
Tor the Improvement OF tho Condition OF the ioor
The committee expended for pay OF superintendent
manure, ploughing and forth, $39 81 Subscrip
t!ons 70 The amount Of 81, " had been received
leaving balance of s6l1 40 in the treasury.
Mr. Erregger says that after his experience last
scar he is doubtful II the work could he as success
fully conducted in this city l.; some OF the West
cities where 1t is reported that has been sue
cessful the being that there the people arc
more CT less accustomed to farm labor and that the
opportunities for securing lard available for the
purpose are much better than here. they having
large tracts OF land within easy access OF the city,
while here there practcai,y no farm lands. eX-
cepting those already occupied by farmers. in the
hands of real estate spectators, who have mapped
them out for sale in building lots.