IRISH GARDENING 



VOLUME XII 



No. 138 



Editor-J. W. Besant 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE 



ADVANCEMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND 



ARBORICULTURE IN IRELAND 



AUGUST 

 1917 



Allotment Gardens after the War, 





^A: 



During the last year or so the increase in the 

 number of allotments has been enormous, and 

 a vast increase in our home-produced food 

 supplies is likely to result therefrom. Much of 

 the land acquired for this purpose was originally 

 destined for other uses, which will again super 

 vene when the war is over. It is more than 

 likely that many who are now cultivating an 

 allotment for the first time and who have ex- 

 pended much labour and money in bringing the 

 land into condition, will be unwilling to be 

 deprived of their little plot just when it is 

 beginning to yield its maximum. 



It will be realised, however, by all reasonable 

 people that areas that were intended for build- 

 ing purposes will be urgently required when 

 material is again plentiful and cheap. The 

 housing problem is acute in many large towns, 

 and will have to be dealt with ; it may be taken 

 for granted then that land of this kind now 

 occupied by allotments will not be available 

 after the war. 



The question affects large towns particularly, 

 and those who are anxious to continue to grow 

 at least some of their own vegetables will 

 naturally look to the corporations for help in 

 acquiring land. 



It is fairly certain that it will have to be 

 sought on the outskirts of our towns and cities, 

 but as many of the fields now Under allotments 

 are at present outside the city proper it may 

 be possible to continue to occupy this land. 

 As, however, those now occupying building land 

 will more than likely have to move after ths 

 war, it will be necessary to consider how far the 



more outlying areas will be able to accommodate 

 them. The difficulty may not prove so great 

 after all, for it is unlikely that everyone now 

 growing 'his own vegetables will wish to con- 

 tinue domg so. When living again becomes 

 cheap, or at least reasonable, many men who 

 have to Mork hard all day in the open will not 

 be so keen to journey a considerable distance 

 to continue their labours. At present it is a 

 case of necessity to add to the food supply. In 

 all fairness it cannot be expected that men who 

 have to labour hard for 9 or 10 hours a day ni 

 all weathers will wish to continue the respon- 

 sibility of an allotment longer than is necessary. 

 It is otherwise, however, with those whose work 

 lies in offices, shops, factories, &c. ; to them 

 the exercise in the fresh air acts as a tonic, not 

 to mention the pleasure they have in producing 

 their own vegetables. Many who have felt the 

 invigorating influence of manual labour in the 

 open air during the last few months will not 

 willingly go back to the old way of living. It 

 is probable, however, that those who must lose 

 their plots in building areas will be able to 

 acquire those that will be given up farther out. 

 In any case, it is a matter which should be 

 engaging the attention of the authorities now, 

 and we are glad to note in the daily press that 

 public men are now urging the necessity of 

 obtaining powers to acquire land for allotments. 

 Perhaps some of our readers would like to offer 

 some observations on the subject of allotments 

 after war ; if so, we should be glad to hear from 

 them. 



