New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-03-12
COTTAGE GARDEN SOCIETIES.
THEIR ORGANIZATION FOR THE BENE-
FIT OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY.

OF the various organizations established to bene-
fit the Irish peasantry none showing more
gratifying results than the cottage garden societies
which have been started in many parts of the
Green Isle" General Gordon. who was familiar
with the condition of the poorest classes in Europe
Africa and Asia, declared that the Irish peasant
the clad worst fed and worst housed
member of the human family. These organiza tons
have done something toward altering this COndi-
ton, but even the cabins of the better classes in
Ireland still leave much TO be desired
1t was sense of the want of beauty in the sur
roundings Of the dwellings of the poor that gave
the first impetus to cottage garden societies.
Flower shows now held and prizes given for
the finest exhibits of flowers vegetables. Some
times from s. SO is awarded the neatest cot
tage. with or without plants. The Glancullen Cot
tage Industrial Society offers premiums for the
three cleanest cottages. hand work and garden
produce of all sorts. needlework. breadmaking.
washing and carpentering. Poultry prizes also
to DE won. and three small sums are offered for
knitting, darnng and patching.
One of the most prosperous of these societies the
Abbeyleix Cottage Competition Branch the
outsrowth OF an attempt by Sunday school teach
er to help young girI pupil who had become a
cripple and hopeless invalid. A few cuttings of
geraniuns We're given to members of the class and
a prize was offered for the most successful win
DOW garden The young cripple found her only
occupation in caring for her plants and her
friends We're no less interested. In a short time
the idea spread. and the society was regularly
IT. Of which 500 is given in prizes and $1,000 spent
IN me annual hover show and in window boxes,
seeds, plants. etc.
AT Foxford garden society conducted by the
sisters has resulted in the introduction OF several
vegetables never before known to the people which
they have added to their bills of fare Among
these are beans, carrots and turnips. The dis
plays of these win prizes. as do also onions,
colds and grass.
1T must not be supposed that Irish cottiers are
aVerse 10 cleanliness. order and beauty because
many or them exist In squalOr.' said a man who
has made a study of existing conditions in Ireland
"A keen observer has said that their often pitable
state Is due to the 'semi-sarvaton OF generations
which Is trial enough to sap all the energies Of
race
I'm the late Indian famine it was recorded that
Ine people IN more than one village were too list
Tess and apathetic 10 walk few hundred yards
TO fetch the grain sent them by relief commit
nave saved their lives, and weary and
indifferent to drag themselves a dozen PAGES
receive it Instead they lay in the sun till they
1T must not be forgotten that many of the dwell
ers IN the Irish cOngested districts live in a
chronic state OF hunger and their forbears have
so lived also. Again. the disnherited' must taste
comfort before they revolt against the wretched-
ness of their lot. 1t has been said that there
Is such thing as the vice OF contentment' More
over, until recent years II highly impolitic
a yearly tenant to present thriving appearance
HIS landlords agent would surely thereby be tempt
ed to raise the rent. There Is axiom that you
can't draw blood from stone and dwellers in
many OF the cabins may easily appear as 'bloodless
stones from a rent paying point of view