The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-02-08

CITY GARDENS
OFFER COURSE
TO ELIMINATE
MUCH WASTE
Here is Outlined Chance for
Richmond's big Neigh
bor' to do Real Construc-
tive Work.
PLAN PROVES SUCCESS
eY FORREST DAVIS

Here is a chance for Rich
mond's social forces to kill two
birds with one stone.
1t is found in the vacant lot
gardening plan.
Social workers say that, mas
much as waste is one of the out
standing causes of poverty, pow
erty itself is waste.
There are many vacant lots in
Richmond upon which weeds and
sticks and stones and tin cans
and rubbish find a grave.
Now these vacant lots, which
represent community waste,
may be utilized to eliminate pov-
erty, which is another form of
community waste.
Gardening Proves Antidote.
Vacant lot gardening elsewhere has
proved to be an antidote for poverty.
Vacant lot gardening diverts COM
munity waste into community thrift.
Farming of waste places in a city
by those residents on the jagged edge
of need has many virtues. 1t is con-
structive in many senses. It embod-
les the principle of self-help, which is
the foundation stone of successful so
cial work.
Here are some Of the advantages
- - ;oc toll, ho
developed in Richmond:
It gives the gardener self respect
through form of property pride.
Gives Vegetables in Season.
It provides fresh vegetables in sea-
son and a store of food for winter.
when work is scarce and prices are
high;
1t takes the family into the open
air for heathful work;
Lastly, it warns the heart OF the
property owner who donates the va
cant lot.
Wherever vacant lot gardening has
been tried it has proved to be sue
cessful.
Dayton has a system which is re-
garded as a model. 1t is under direc-
ton of the Fairgrounds and Gardens
association, which is one Of the con-
stituents of the Federation for Char
ily and Philanthropy.
Last year 693 families in Dayton
farmed vacant lots with total ap-
proXimate acreage of 100 acres.
Produce Amounts to $4,000
Value of the produce taken from
these 693 lots, all of which went to
the gardeners, was $4,000.
There were 2,4S3 persons actively
interested in the gardens.
In addition, this association, which
is one OF the most constructive arms
of the Federation, supervised 1,441
back yard gardens containing $50, ,120
square feet.
Here is the plan Of the Fairgrounds
and Gardens association for it's vacant
lot work
Persons owning vacant lots are So
licited to donate use of the ground.
Persons wishing to farm them are
sought by the arms Of the federation.
The city welfare department provides
funds for plowing the lots and they
are turned over to the gardeners. The
work is supervised by garden inspect
ors in the employ of the association
and prizes are awarded for the best
gardens.
Take Pride in Gardens
Many gardeners take pride in the
appearance of their gardens and it is
not uncommon to see entire blocks
of small gardens each bordered by
rows Of hedge or flowers
Dayton social workers are enthusi-
astic over the plan, which, they are
free to say. is the most constructive
feature of their entire social scheme.
The vacant lot program was planned
early in the history Of the Richmond
Social Service Bureau but the plans
came to naught.
If Richmonds waste places are to
be transformed this year into produc-
tive garden spots, steps must be TAX
en- before time for planting has passed.
Calls for Positive Action
II Richmords poor neighbors are to
be given a chance to work out part,
at least, Of their own salvation
through producing their own food, ac-
tion must not be delayed.
Richmonds hired neighbor, the So
tial Service Bureau. might act upon
this suggestion aud do something posi-
tive.
Or an organization may be formed,
patterned after the Dayton Play |
grounds and Gardens association, to
conduct this work.
Here is an opportunity to eliminate |
waste IN two ways !