Evening journal., 1899-03-14
VACANT LOT CULTIVATION
WAS A COMPLETE
SUCCESS, AS REPORT OF .ASSO-
GATED CHARITIES SHOWS.

CIATED CHARITIES SHOWS.
The fourteenth annual report of the
Associated Charities Of Wilmington, to
hand, is a favorable one and indicates
broad spirit on the part OF the man
agement in the handling Of their af-
fairs.
The report Of Superintendent Broth
ers on the Cultivation OF Vacant
Lots" is especially interesting, seeing
that il is the result Of an experiment.
We publish it I'M extensO.
To the Wilmington Vacant Lots Culti-
walton Committee.
Gentlemen On Tuesday, April 12
1898, a decision was made 10 undertake
the cultivation Of vacant lots in Will
mington as a means Of aiding the un-
employed poor After a visit of in
spection to the Philadelphia gardens, a
search for suitable available land was
begun. Much OF the land offered was
found to be unsuitable owing to it's
rocky, low or sterile nature. Other
land which was weil adapted TO oul
purposes could not be obtained. Wher
week or ten days had been spent In
this search and in other preliminary
work. a choice was made, and the
plough started on April % on land
loaned by Mrs Sarah X. Thatcher: sait
land is located at Vandever avenue and
Thatcher street. Other land at the cas-
side was obtained at Vandever avenu,
and Claymont street from Phillip Plum
ketlt and C.. s. Cleland. At the wes
side, land OF the Wilmington Improve
ment Company was leaned
The work of plOughing and prepar
ing was very much retarded by heavl
rain storms so that no potatoes oi
other crops we're planted until abou
May 5. on the Thatcher land On Tn,
other land, both at the east and ives
side tracts. little planting was d0nu
before June /. This weather. followe,
by severely dry and hot spells, result
ed in a failure Of the potato crop. Z,
the production Of which One-half of tn,
and and most Of the manure had beei
/ given. The cost Of potatoes for seal
was heavy, and the success of the un
iertaking was greatly reduced. No
only did this diminish the percentagi
Of net profit i'm potatoes. but othe
crops also, since the effect was dis
cOuraging to the gardeners at tim'
when special attention was needed
Eleven OF those to whom plots ha,
been assigned either entirely abandon
/ ed the work or dallied 50 much tha
others were given the opportunities a
very late dates and failed to produc
/ average value crops. To make amend
80 far as possible for this failure, bean
and cabbage were planted between tn
rows of potatoes: or. after digging
much Of the ground was sOwn TO tur
n.ips and kale. For these reasons mos
0f the years crop value was obtaine
ate
The most successful crop was tina
IF tomatoes. IL being abundan
throughout the season after a rathe
ate start. The fruit was Of excep
tiona-ly fine size, and quality, and sol
at good prices. besides furnishin
plenty for immediate use and for stoI
ing. The bean crop was next in OF
der Of success and proved even NOR
profitable, as the season was longe
Green string beans were among th
first substantial returns obtained. an
by a succession Of paintings lasted a
summer Later, Lima beans came il
and lasted until killed by frost. Thes
were sold at high prices The majc
part Of the profit. however. from TIL
crop, came in the shape of dry bear
Of the navy, and, what the gardener
call, 'Black-eyed Susan varietie
These were planted in large supple
where potatoes had fai'ed or WEI
likely TO fail. and have been shelle
and stored away for winter use. Son
OF the gardeners having what will la
until spring. while many others hay
partial supply
The corn crop was generally a gOC
one. and gave some profit and muC
food during August and early Septen
4, Der to most gardeners.
The crops. though not successful
grown BY all, were profitable and ere
. table to some. Few workers ha
failed to obtain good crops Of som
S thing Nearly an took pride in sho1
= ing some good results.
q The total value of crops from {
] three farms, as nearly as could be q
e certained from the imperfect accoun
q kept by gardeners, was $1,653.S4. or