CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1905-04-27


try-what the vacant Lots cuIti-
walton Work In Philadelphia Has
Done For the Needy
II. Rider Haggard, the English nov
eiist, who has come to the United
States on sociological mission for the
British government, recently visited
Philadelphia to investigate the work of
the Philadelphia Vacant Lots Cultiva-
ton association. He was accompanied
by his daughter, his private secretary
and Il. F. Powell, superintendent OF the
garden work of the Philadelphia Va
cant Lots Cultivation association. They
were met by Joseph Fels, one of the
most active directors OF the association.
and were driven to the Bingham House,
says the Philadelphia Press
my object in coming to PhIIadel-
phis," Mr.. Haggnrd said. lis to learn
about the work Of your Vacant Lots
Cultivation association. came 10
America to inquire into the conditions
and character OF the Industrial colonies
organized in this country by the Saliva
tion Army with a view of applying the
scheme to South Africa. The greatest
possibilities for colonization have been
opened in South Africa In England
there is much congestion, especially
among the poor. One of the greatest
problems which civilization has had to
face is how to help men and women
on the land and prevent them from con-
gregatinG in the city. where the condi-
a. a.
Ter in every respect. Men and women
born into this wide world can only find
the best that is in life who live out
their lives amid the sights and sounds
Of nature, and he who can show the
way TO turn the aow back to the land
will do a great service to humanity
For years l have realized the inpor-
tance OF this
The allurements OF city life-dance
halls, theaters and the hope Of making
fortunes-cause the young people to
nock from the country TO the city. To
check this fiow Il will be necessary to
create counter attraction In the coun-
try to give the people an interest that
comes from ownership in the land
Those who come to the city from the
country usually make their condition
worse, While they are still young
they may not realize this. but when
they grow older they and their posi-
lions filled by younger people. and they
become dependent upon public charity,
1nere were lIS.vup persons on tne poor
rates in London last year"
Later in the afternoon Mr.. Haggard
WAS the guest OF Franklin B. Kirk
bride AT his home in Spruce street,
where the author met the directors of
the Philadelphia Vacant Lots Cultiva-
ton association and listened with deep
interest to an account which Superin-
tendent Powell gave OF its work
among the poor of Philadelphia
Superintendent PoweIl's recital was
illustrated by a number OF stereopti-
con pictures. showing vacant lots un-
der cultivation in Philadelphia, views
Of men. women and children at work
IN the vegetable gardens. etc One OF
the pictures shown was that OF
twelve-year-old girl who had been Civ
en- quarter acre lot to cultivate and
sold Sl55 worth of vegetables, besides
supplying her family. Her invalid ia
ther. who assisted her, was so i'm
proved In health by outdoor life that
be was able to return TO work An
other picture showed part OF nine
acre farm which had been leased by
eighteen families who were graduates
OF the vacant lot cultivation and who
disposed of $4,000 worth OF vegetables
in one season.
Mr.. Haggard asked number OF Ques-
tons during Superintendent Powelrs
remarks. He wanted TO know where
the fertilizing material was procurei,
and Mr.. Powell told him that much OF
it came from the street sweepings
which tho street cleaners brought in
carts for that purpose.
The fertilizing. the plowing and pre-
pairing the land are always done by the
association said Mr.. Powell
Where do the gardeners get their
hoes and rakes and the likeT" asked
Mr.. Haggard.
The buying OF tools and the care Of
them. he wns told. devolved on the cui-
tivators.
The tendency which this work has
had to bring people back to the land
has been more apparent in the last
year OF our work" said the supcrin-
tendent. when more than 10 per cent
took ground on their own account"
How many families does this 10 per
cent representl" asked the author.
"Eighty-nve families" replied Mr..
Powell.
What was the method of marketing
the productsp" was Mr.. Haggard's
next query regarding particular farm
which the superintendent had de-
scribed.
TT was done principally by children
from nine to twelve years OF age. The
children receive - per cent pay on all