Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-03
HARVEST TINE ON VACANT LOTS
CUTS DOWN HIGH COST OF LIVING
Bumper Crops Citys Toy Farms Reduces Market Bills for Ag
cutuyistS IN Minidture-TomGtoes Red Ripe and Corn
in TdS8e-EUen CGbbGgeS Are Abloom!

I winter varieties be stored in the cellar
over the cold weather.
Profit as well as healthful exercise fol-
| low engagement In vacant lot farming.
| Cost of living is materially decreased by
| generous crops of tomatoes, corn by
the dozen, cabbage galore, beans. car
rots and almost all other vegetable
varieties that may be named. The econ
omic effect of this is plain. With the
| quotations on green groceries this year
| higher than for many seasons, savings
| effected by the cultivation of vacant lots
have enabled more than 500 families to
| eat fresh and health-givlng vegetables in
| abundance.
mornings inspection of one of the
VASant lot farming communities these
| days will gladden. the eyes Of those inter-
ested in amateur gardening, 1t will also
| astonish those unacquainted with inten-
sive farming or gardening on a small
scale at the plentitude and variety that
can be achieved as the fruits of diligent
labor within restricted compass. Many
well-filled market basket, laden with
more than enough to supply the half
weeks needs of a tolerably large and
hungry family and to afford some for sale.
is taken every morning from the vacant
lot gardens
500 LOT HOLDERS.
Distributed among tho 500 odd lot
holders Is about $50 acres of hitherto un-
cared for land, which was previously
taken up with pest breeding and unlove-
ly lots. This area currently under culti-
walton is larger than at any time in the
history of the association, except in 1908,
when a slightly larger acreage was
cultivated. though the ground was not in
such good condition as 1t has been put
by the intervening seasons cultivation
and manuring.
The gardens run from one-eighth to
one-slxth of an acre. They are situated
at 9th street and Woodland avenue 56th
street and Lansdowne avenue, 54th street
and Susquehanna avenue, the Drexel Es-
tate, 6lst street and Kingsessing avenue.
Georges Hill and other localities. The
stables, seedhouse and hotbeds are at
seth and Chestnut streets.
The Vacant Lots Cultivation Associa-
tion is sustained by a number of sub
scribers who pledge annual sums ranging
from 500 10 $500. the group including some
500 persons prominent in the social. pollt-
ical and philanthropic life OF the city.
ROUTINE OF SOCIETY.
The association started its work In 1897
1t makes arrangements with the proprie-
tors of various stretches OF idle territory
TO turn this waste land into use for small
farming until the property is needed for
development. The land is prepared nv
eA1eSNAA@NASAAb
the soil and fertilizes 1t when necessary,
and divides it into tracts Of one-eighth to
one-siNth of an acre The miniature gar
dens are then allotted TO families apply
ing in the order of application.
The association. receiving the land free
of rental. allots It on the same basis.
However. 1t charges 81 toward the ex-
penses OF plowing, maturing. seeding.
etc, which actually costs the organiEa-
tion In the neighborhood of IS a plot
II an individual or family cultivate a
garden properly and resuItfully one sea-
son the association generally reallots the
same plot the following season, providing
the holder again desires the same ground.
Two dollars is charged the second season
Tor the plowing, seeds, etc, and so on
up TO S5 the fifth year. which brings II
to the level of initial cost to the organiza-
tion. However, those who make garden"
the third year, II they so desire, may pro-
vide their own seeds and plants. In which
case the association charges $3.50 for the
necessary expenses OF plowing and fer
tilizing
Directly. the labors OF this useful phil
anthropy assists its recipients by making
possible more than enough green vers.
tables for home use without conveying
the sense Of charity as the results are
and ambition.
SET OBJECT LESSON.
These city farmers" Sometimes devota
most OF their space TO one crop. securing
better results by concentration OF inter.
est, and then trade" portions OF their
specially with others who have grown
something else. Many OF them Chuck
ster' the remainder The lots are Kent
free from rubbish and weeds, a desirable
result from the standpoint OF the owners
and the nelghborhOods where they are Sit
uated
Indirectly the association Is influential
its workers setting an object lesson to
others In the vicinity TO utilize otherwise
unused back yard space for prohtable
gardening Many OF the gardeners Fet
enough practical training In the soil ana
its value to set up trucking" in tbs
nearby suburbs IN lucrative way.
vacant LOT farming Is thus a desirable |
agency In the general upllft movement |
which Is 50 promising under the guidance /
OF the soeloloEists and settlement work. |
ers. But Il Is free absolutely from the |
Implication Of charity since success Il /
based on the enterprise and Industry ~ /