Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-09
JOHN X. SNYDER
On Cultivation Of Vacant Lots

THE cultivation of vacant lots within the
l. city limits adds materially to the food
supply OF Philadelphia, according to John
X. Snyder, superintendent of the Philadel-
phia Vacant Lots Cultivation Associatl3n.
The work not only adds to the availaple
food supply. but affords pleasant work and
saves considerable money to those who are
willing to work the gardens.
"The Philadelphia Vacant Lots cultiva-
ton Association" said Mr.. Snyder, is now
in it's twenty sixth year. The idea orig,
mated in Detroit during the administrator @ Oh
Potato Pingree, because OF his idea OIL
bringing the vacant lots under active cultiva-
ton, But it was a good idea ana was
adopted by many other cities. 1t was IN
1894 that the idea started in Detroit ana
two years later it was begun here.
Started to Meet Depression
"Our organization was permanently or
ganized in 1897. As was the case IN De-
troit. it was begun to give relief from she tne
severe business depression OF the years ioof
TO 1897. 1t has increased here steadily from
that time, reaching its climax, as mighs DC
exnected during the war years. In loo''
the year OF our permanent organiZatlon' we
had about 100 families who took gardens anu
this number grew until in 1913 we haa lioo
families who were cultivating them.
"Since the people have to work for what
tbev cot. the gardens are generally taken
only by those who need the help which they
will give The primary idea Is that they
shall raise the vegetables for their own use
but il they have an over-abundance OF one
thing or two, there is no objection 10 ,heir
selling this surplus and using the money TO
buy something which they need but nave
| not raised themselves. 1t is Impossible 10
| tell in advance how the crops OF season
will turn out sometimes one thing will grow
well, and another, equally necessary, VIII
not and will have to be bought: .
"We have no trouble with the aspect OF
| commercialism. Our gardens are only 90
| by 100 feet, and 80 the size Of them will
| not appeal to any one from the commercial
| standpoint, for he will not be able to raise
| a great deal more than his own family VIII
| need on so small plot OF ground.
This season the crops have been unusu-
| aIlv good, we cannot tell definitely as yet
| Just how they will turn out as compared
| with other wears because the returns are
not compiled until Thanksgiving. The aver
| age money value Of the crops Is about 800
| each season. Last year they ran about SioO,
| but then prices were unusually high, while
| now they are considerably lower. But the
| actual quantity of food raised TINS season
| will be greater than any season during the
| last four wears.
'The ground to be cultivated Is secured
for the persons taking 1t by the associa,
| ton, and we get il from owners Tree OF
| charge. ms IL SuDJtCt W u pio'
| the owner may secure the possession OF the
ground on ten days notice. But there Is
| little trouble on this score. We have an
understanding with the owner OF each plot
| which we propose to put under cultivation
| as to the likelihood of his wanting the
ground back before the close OF the harvest,
or the probability of his disposing of it be-
| fore that time. If it seems likely that he
will want it, we do not put it under cultiva-
| ton.
'But, as ! said, there is little trouble with
| this feature. Practically none of the own
ers ever want the ground back before the
close OF the growing season. No rent is
| charged for the ground and the associa-
tion pays for the preparation Of the SOIL
the seed and the fertilizer. This is supplied
to the family taking it for cultivation at
actual cost.
Location OF the Gardens
1.-The greatest number of the gardens are
located in West Philadelphia and in Ger
mantown, although there are also some in
Frankford and in Mount Airy. The same
| nersons take about 30 per cent of the gardens
vcnr after year and fully 10 per cent of
| tho families have taken gardens for more
| than five years. The location in usually
within a distance of from six to eight blocks
Of The homes Of the persons working them.
..But there are some exceptions to this
A we have families living In the center ~
this city who 90 TO Sixty fifth street and
blmwood avenue to cultivate their lots, and