New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-18
The News Of Brooklyn
Mr.. SCHIEREN'S INTEREST.
HE BELIEVES IN THE CULTIVATION OF
VACANT LOTS.
TIE WORK LAST YEAR NOT A FAILURE. IN HIS
OPINION - READY TO MAKE ANOTHER
sUDscRlPTION-TrIE COMMITTEE TO


sUBsCRIPTIoN-TIE COMMITTEE TO
MEET THIS WEEK
A meeting Of the Committee on the Tllage OF
Vacant Lands. appointed by Mayor Schieren nearly
a year ago. will be held at the Mayors office on
Friday al p. m. at which definite action VIII ne
taken concerning the carrying on of the work the
coming season The last meeting Of the committee
took place on February "a. At that time several OF
the members felt somewhat discouraged at the re-
suits of last years experiment. and there was
feeling of doubt TO the wisdom of carrying 1t on
further. The Rev. William l. Nichols. the new
general secretary Of the Bureau OF Charities. was
elected secretary of the committee at that meeting
and account Of the interest which he manifested
In the work. the question Of determining what was
the best course 10 pursue this year referred to
him.
AS has already been told in The Tribune. Mr.
Nichols is convinced of the Importance Of the work.
and believes that it can be successfully conducted
The meeting this week will hear his report and VIII
undoubtedly accept the recommendations he VIII
offer in favor of continuing the cultivation OF vacant
lands by the unemployed.
The movement last year was initiated by Mayor
Schieren who had become deeply interested In
what he had accomplished in Detroit under the
direction OF Mayor Pingree The eccentric Mayor OF
Detroit is a personal friend of Mr. Schieren and be-
sides they have business relations. To learn what
Mr.. Schieren's present views are with reference 10
the work In Brooklyn. visit was PAID 10 MS oiHce
in New-York yesterday afternoon. and he was asked
for an expression Of opinion on the subject Al
though extremely busy In getting his business
affairs and other work in such shape that he can
sail for Europe, he is planning to do. on June lS
he gladly took time TO express his interest IN the
tillage of lots and his belief that II should
be taken in hand again this year
Il have not changed my mind on this subject al
ALL" said Mr. schieren land do not consider that
the work last year was failure. 1t certainly was
not when we take all the circumstances INTO ac-
count. In tho first place. 1t was not begun early
enough. Then the land was not such that 1t coud
be cultivated TO the best advantage. and those VINO
undertook to work 1t were unskilled IN the use OF
tools and did not take proper care of their plots
Still I consider It q fair success. and am heartily
in favor of going on with 1t this year The land that
was used last year will be ten times as Naiuapie
now as it was then because it has been broken UP
and fertilized and the cost of preparing 1t VIII he
much less
81 am glad to see the interest that Mr. Nichols.
Of the Bureau of Charities is taking In this matter.
and want to say that willing 10 back Mr.
Nichols financially in this matter. If more money
Is needed this year than the sum now on hand 90
not think there will be any difficulty in getting H.
Certainly there none last year. and nave no
doubt that a request by Mayor Wurster for funds
for this purpose would meet with prompt and gen
erous response. In such matter believe in begin
ming in a small way and going on 10 larger Things
IL the success gained warrants IT,
THE Bureau of Charities Is the right institution
TO have this work in charge. because 1t Is con-
stantly dealing with the class of people that we
desire to benefit by providing this work for them.
They are learning habits Of thrift at the same time
that they are cultivating crops that will help TO
carry them through the winter. and they are also
acquiring skill that will enable them not only TO
make good farm hands but to cultivate little farms
of their own and make their living by raising What
81 x.,,l.x
Those who have travelled in Europe have seen
near the cities little farms of maybe half
Il quarter of an acre which the peasants cultivate
successfully, and those people have to pay ground
rent too. Now, there IS no reason why similar farm
ing plots should not be near our cities.
especially when the people have the Of the neces
sary tools. We have no reason TO be discouraged
by our experience last year, but expect that much
better results will be reached this year. for
have not only the benefit of last years experience.
but shall be able 10 get the work under wary al
the proper Last night l wrote letter TO
Mr.. Nichols, assuring him Of my interest in this
matter and saying That was ready 10 do my part
toward making ii a success.
The ex-Mayor's letter to Secretary Nichols. which
the latter received yesterday and read with much
satisfaction, follows:
Dear Sir: In answer to your letter of the 1lth.
desire state that firmly believe a cas be
made In Brooklyn by giving the matter careful and
special attention In Germany in almost every city
the people have garden patches outside Of the town.
and you can see them hard at work during the sea-
son. They pay ground rent but raise enough
potatoes and vegetables TO almost supply the family
during the winter Very much can be done here,
and II will teach the working classes thrift and how
till the soil 1t needs proper supervision. and the
land should be thoroughly prepared.
Last year commenced too late and everything
new. and many other discouragng features pre-
scented themselves but II you will devote the
sary time to the matter doubt you will meet
with success, and solve OF the problems OF how
to utilize land to the best advantage by the
needy and give splendid Lesson TO the poor.
| am glad that you will undertake 10 give Ii
other trial, and will encourage you by giving you
q subscription should you proceed with the matter.
Very truly yours, CHARLES A. SCHIEREN.