Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-05
DIRECTOR FRANK n. CAVEN
On the City Farm

THAT the city farm, now being operated,
l. has great possibilities for the future Is
the opinion of Frank II. Caven, Director Of
Public Works. In the brief period during
which the farm has been used the results
have more than justified the cost OF opera
ton, which Is infnitesimal.
'The farm" says Director Caven, "is
located on the Penrose Ferry road, In the
Fortieth Ward. There Is in the neghbor-
hood Of 1000 acres Of land there, belonging
to the city, but by no means all OF this is
tillable ground. The results this year are
not what they will be when We have had
little more time to perfect our organization.
but they are sufficient to show what can be
done when we get the land well under
tilage.
"In spite Of the short time In which we
have had the farm in operation, we shall
produce this year about 800 tons of hay.
In addition to the hay, we also have almost
120 acres Of corn, which should give US in
the neighborhood Of 6000 bushels, counting
fifty bushels to the acre. We have also ITO
acres sown with oats, from which we should
harvest about 5000 bushels. AS n side crop
we have about fifteen acres planted in pota-
toes, all Of which will 90 to the Phiadel-
phia Hospital. There are a few chickens
which aid in dressing up the farm, and the
eggs from these are sent twice week to the
Philadelphia Hospital, which Is located not
far from the farm itself.
'The primary purpose of the farm is for
the city to have place to which Its horses
may be sent for acclimatization and where
the animals may be treated when sick
Nevertheless, the farm can be made profit
original purpose. There are 30 many horses
used in the Department of Public Works
| and Public Safety that for this purpose
alone the farm is great economy.
Training the Horses
! ITO understand the necessity for such an
institution it must be realized that horses
| purchased outside are not Immediately fit
for active duty in the city. They must be
| acclimated and in many instances trained to
ground and abundance OF room, is an ideal
place for this work.
'There is at present stabling capacity for
fifty three horses at the farm, and there are
taken the animals of the traffic, fire and
works departments, both for training and for
| recuperation when needed. There Is q small
system of fire bells installed, and thus the
fire horses become accustomed to the sound
and the meaning of the bells.
A Fine Infrmary
1--WE have at the farm an infirmary which
| is second to none In the country In It's equip
ment and in the results thus far produced
1t Is completely equipped with operating
tables, has padded stalls for injured animals
and those upon which 1t has been found
necessary to operate, and, in short, every
feature which is to be, found in the most
up to date veterinary hospital.
ITO this infirnaary is taken every sick
horse owned by the city, and the fresh, green
horses, which have not yet been acclimated
are taken to the farm for this very neces
sary process.
''But aside from the humanitarian stand
point in the comfort of new and sick ami
mails, the farm will be made more than self
supporting. Next year ! hope to be able tc
have enough timothy sown to gather at lea 9,
800 tons OF hay. This will provide food fol
many Of the horses owned by the city outside
of those which are on the farm for sick.
ness or acclimatization.
Already the farm has more than paid II,
own way. As 1t is now being onerated
there are five men employed In tiliing th,
land and in operating the farm; this. o.
course being In addition to the men EN-.
ployed to look after the animals on the plac,
and the veterinarian who Is in attendanc,
upon the horses.
"Previous to the starting of the farm tn,
buildings on the land were rented for nbou
$50 Il month for a period of several wears
Little attention was paid to it and every,
thing was well on the road to destruction
when the idea of the farm originated w,
have built Corncrib of tile and cemen
which is thoroughly proof against rats an,
other yermin, and the stables have been mn
In such condition as to make them suitable
for the care of sick animals, the doors an,
windows being screened against the insect
which frequently retard the recovery of sicl
animals and ksap them In state Of physics