CHAPTER IV 



TOWN ALLOTMENTS 



SINCE the spread of the allotment movement, plots 

 have come into being in all sorts of unlikely places, but 

 of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, which we have seen 

 in the last twelve months those that have sprung up 

 amidst the bricks and mortar of congested towns are 

 probably the most difficult and heart-breaking to bring 

 to a successful issue. As there are many plots situated 

 in surroundings such as we have mentioned, and as the 

 people who work them are usually more heroic than 

 skilled, a few hints may be specially given for their 

 benefit. 



Lack of proper soil and want of pure air are the two 

 chief factors which the town grower must try to fight. 

 Without sufficient soil nothing can, of course, grow and 

 when all the tins and other refuse have been cleared 

 from a site there has often been precious little left in 

 which to rear things. But some soil always remains 

 after the rubbish has been cleared, and if this is well 

 worked up with a cartload or two of good road sweepings 

 the land will soon begin to show its worth, especially if 

 the subsoil was first well broken up but not brought to 

 the surface . In and around London the plots are usually 

 of a clayey nature and can be materially benefited by a 



