Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-13
WORK IN CITY GARDENS
Association Resumes Business
Under Favorable Auspices.
SUCCESS LAST YEAR
COMMENT BY PROF. GALLOWAY
OF AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company In
terested-Use of Land on Philadel-
phia Division Donated.
SUCCESS LAST YEA R

The Washington City Gardens Association
has commenced operations for the present
season, and the report Is made that II has
received more application for garden platS
this year than the association can possibly
supply, which fact, 1t Is declared, alone
proves that this semi-charitable work is
being appreciated in this city. Plans are
being made by the association for the fur-
Their extension of the work along the same
general lines as those successfully fol-
lowed In Philadelphia.
1t is believed by those connected with
the association that the number of gardens
will be more than doubled. Some of those
cultivated last year were remarkably sue
cessful il is stated, entire families being
supplied throughout the season with Vege-.
tables from the one-eighth acre plots. Not
only sufficient vegetables grown on
these lots to supply individual families, but
number of gardeners had vegetables 10
sell.
This important line of work was set on
foot last year in this city, the object OF
which is to encourage the utilization of the
vacant lots surrounding Washington to the
end of growing produce. The association
secured the services OF competent super
intendent who received the various applca-
lions for gardens and gave his personal
consideration to the requirements of each
applicant Working plans for the gardens
work in this city been largely modelled
after that conducted in Philadelphia.
Prof. Galloway's Comment.
Prof. B. T. Galloway of the Agricultural
Department, who is member of the board
of managers of the association, residing in
Takoma Park, in speaking Of the gardens
in Washington to a Star reporter today
stated that there was no difficulty IN Sc
curing land owners of vacant lots being
glad to have them kept clear of unslghtly
rubbish and weeds. The understanding has
been between the owners of the land and
the association that the land should be
surrendered to the owners on demand.
1.-The rules governing the gardens are
few" he said. IAN applicant is allowed
garden from one-fCurth to One-halt an
acre in size on condition that he will cult
vate it well throughout the season and
he does not trespaSs on his nelghbor
garden failure on his part TO 90
serve these rules causes him to forfeit ms
land. The first year one in every twenty
forfeited his garden from failure to obey
the rules; the past year but one In Two
hundred and fifty failed"
In regard TO the supplies for the gar
dens, Professor Galloway said the associa-
ton furnishes the seed fertiliZes and ploWs
the land and lends or sells the tools ut
cost The gardens cost the association the
first year $1s.25, and last year this cost
was reduced to So. 10.
THAT the most effective charity is that
which most effectively helps man to
help himself continued Professor Gallo
way. lis the foundation principle of the
movement. During the eight years or It's
existence the association has proved con-
clusvely that the great majority OF peo-
pie out of employment prefer seif-heip ana
are willing to use any opportunity opened
to them: that the opening of opportunity
does not pauperze or degrade, but elevates,
in that IL promotes self-confdence and sell
respect: that in offering such an opportu-
nity as a vacant lot affords not only is
the man helped financially, but physically.
The work in fresh air and sunshine is con-
ducive of good health The more whole
some food supplied by fresh vegetables Is
of the utmost Importance.
Recipients Taught Trade.
1T is really a school where the recipients
of assistance are taught a trade-farmlng.
About ten per cent of the gardeners last
year rented or secured the loan of ground
on their own account, and cultivated IL
wholly at their own expense. 1t required
more than seven years of persistent enort
to establish such confidence In the minus
of the gardeners. Last season about sixteen
families formed a club and rented nine
acre tract at sl5 per acre. One of the most
successful gardeners was appointed man
ager. They had the land thoroughly fer-
tilted. plowed and subdivided. some look
separate allotments as under the plan or
the Vacant Lot Association; others worked
for the manager at an agreed price PEI per
hour The nine acres were thoroughly Gull
tiyated and a magnificent crop harvested
las soon as there was produce for sale
splendid market was established on the
grounds and a regular delivery system Or
ganized which later attracted much atten-
ton and considerable comment. 1t was
carried on by children of nine to twelve
years OF age from the various families In
terested Each child was provided with a
push cart. The children built up their own
route and went regularly TO their custom
ers for orders. and then made up the or
ders loaded them into their push carts
and charged themselves up with the sepa-
rate amounts in a small book kept for that
purpose. At the end of the day each child
was required to settle and was paid his
commission, twenty per cent OF the re-
cepts i'll cash.
from 81 to s. per week, never working more
than three to five hours per day The
work was done under such favorable cir
cumstances that to them it not work.
but play-something they wanted to do.
Besides il a school in which the les
sons were both practical and useful"
Railroad Company Interested.
The Pennsylvania railroad has given the
movement it's hearty approval and co-ope-
ration 1t has decided to turn over to its
management many acres of land on it's
Philadelphia division, to be cultivated for
and by its employees with the understand
ing that any land not used by them may
be used by others recommended by the as
ISOLATION. Philadelphia has been pre-emi-
nently successful In this work. Its meth
DDS have been studied by men from abroad
and copied in Paris.
Last season Washington conducted about
eighty vacant lot gardens. A considerable
number of these were located on the site
of the municipal hospital at Brightwood
avenue and Richmond street; others were
located at 18th and ID streets southeast
Each garden averaged about one-eighth of
an acre. Seed and fertilizer We're furnished
by the association. The expenses of the
association last year were something over