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A system of cultivating- vacant lots has, f(^ some years, been 

 in operation vv^ith excellent results in certain mainland cities. 

 According to this plan a "Vacant Lots Cultivation Associa- 

 tion" is formed of such people as are interested in the move- 

 ment and desire to help it forward. The association takes over 

 for cultivation and improvement all vacant lots from ov^ners 

 in sympathy v^ith the work, on an agreement to surrender 

 them upon demand. The association then prepares the ground 

 for cultivation and allots it to desirable tenants. It also exer- 

 cises supervision over the gardeners, provides them with seed 

 and fertilizer (in the form of street sweepings), sells or in some 

 cases lends them tools, offers them general advice when 

 needed, and also reserves the right to take aw^ay any lot which 

 does not come up to the standard of efficiency and appearance 

 or whose tenant does not work in harmony with his neighbors. 

 The gardeners receive the use of their land without payment 

 subject to the surrender agreement, and are entitled to the 

 whole produce of their labor. The system referred to is pro- 

 ductive of an ''intense" system of horticulture, in which every 

 foot of available ground is rendered productive. If this sys- 

 tem were inaugurated in Honolulu it might be deemed advis- 

 able in some neighborhoods to restrict the gardeners to flower 

 growing, but in any case the plan would be beneficial with 

 respect to many vacant lots which are more or less outside the 

 present local improvement societies. The land not far from 

 the Young Hotel, covered with a labyrinth of wooden fences, 

 would certainly look more attractive if it were filled with 

 brightly colored flower beds. Many other lots now lying idle 

 could be greatlv improved and be made renumerative to such 

 citizens as have sufficient energy and application to work 

 them properly. The best way to give assistance is to do so in 

 such a way as to teach self-help, and in view of the many in- 

 dustrious people of Honolulu not too greatly overburdened 

 with this world's goods, few better ways of help could be 

 devised than the one proposed. The Hawaiians are prover- 

 bially fond of floAvers and among them are many whose chief 

 source of income is derived from the sale of leis. To many of 

 these, no doubt, a flower plot accessible to the market, and to 

 be obtained solely by an agreement to work upon it regularly 

 and keep it attractive, would be greatly appreciated. 



