New-York tribune., 1897-08-29
VACANT LOT FARNING.
THE OPERATIONS on A SMALL SCALE THIS YEAR
FOR LACK OF LAND.

THE OPERATIONS on A SMALL SCALE THIS YEAR
FOR LACK OF LAND.
Not much has been heard this year about vacant
10, farming which was carried OH with marked
success in this neghborhood in 1895 and last year
on the lines laid down by Mr. Pingree when Mayor
Of Detroit The efficiency Of this means of dealing
with the problem Of furnishing employment during
the summer for people out Of work and willing 10
turn their hands to anything is not less highly re-
garded than formerly by the people in this city
engaged in charitable work. but there has been un-
expected difficulty in securing sufficient land to
enable the experiment to be ssa.nued . on liberal
scale.
Most of the land placed at the disposal Of the
committee IN charge OF this work last year
owned by William Stenway in Long Island City
and il was expected that it would also be available
for the same purpose this year. The death of Mr.
Steinway, however prevented this and in
quence large number Of men and women anxious
10 do farming small scale for themselves had
10 be told when applying for the privilege OF work
ing on vacant lots that there no land open 10
them. About three hundred acres were offered 10
the committee by Mr. Steinway last year. but It
was not all good farming land and only about 10
acres cultivated.
Compared with that. the land worked this year
is mere trihe. 1t is not more than fifteen
altogether and is divided up among sixty people in
uuarter-acre plots. Large results could not he
looked for in these circumstances. In the first
place the number Of 'potato-lot farmers is small
in comparison with last year. and in the second
place. a farm of quarter Of is too tiny
FOR raising any cOnsiderabl quantity of produce
Those specially interested in this line of charitable
work are not discouraged. however. although they
are greatly disappointed at the poor showing they
will make this year.
Arrangements now i'm progress for securing
a number of farms Of considerable size next year
and It is hoped that all worthy applicants then
he provided with much land they desire. The
members of the committee will be glad II any one
ming land that is used would place their
disposal next season.
In view OF the small scale which the oper-
atons have been carried this year the results
thus far are regarded as excellent. The vacant lot
farm products will be exhibited soon under the
York committee has little hope that it's proteges
will be able 10 carry off many prizes as were
secured by them last year.
oddly enough II has been found that working on
these miniature farms does not fit men well for
farm laborcrs. The effect. rather Is to make them
desrous OF working larger farms OF their own.
strong them. and they keenly appreciate the
dnerence between saving. "These are my potatoes.
potatoes. c&bbages and corn" Besides many Of
The vacant lot farmers are men with families and
assisted in their work by their wives and
children. while there Is small demand for mon with
families farm workers.
Furthermore. although men learn the little
farms 70 plant and hoe potatoes ana o;her veg
c;ablcs. one Of the essential things IN farmland
T. a knowledge OF how to milk and no way
mas yc; been devised FOR teaching this art men
born and bred in the city. II IT were possible to
provide a herd Of COWS IN connection with the
vacant lOt farms q few weeks Of cxpcrimentne
with them by persons trying to learn how &c milk
i8em would be pretty SUR In Nc opinion OF *
The remainder or he season as respects their milk
producing capacity