CHAPTER II 



VACANT LOT GARDENING FOR VILLAGES 

 AND CITIES 



The use of vacant tracts, either large or small, in villages 

 and cities, for gardening purposes should be encouraged by 

 aU.. It is to the interest of the owners of such lots, as well 

 as to the users, to have them cultivated for garden purposes. 

 Lots or tracts thus used are made more beautiful and more 

 salable. The gardens raised on them return a profit to the 

 persons doing the work. Much pleasure is gained and health- 

 ful employment is furnished to those who might otherwise 

 be out of employment a part or all of the time. 



Historical. — In the early nineties Mayor Pingree of 

 Detroit foujid many of the Detroit workingmen out of em- 

 ployment. He noticed the numerous tracts of vacant land 

 which were " eyesores " to visitors and others. Many of these 

 lots were dumping grounds where tin cans, garbage and other 

 wastes were scattered. Flies and mosquitoes found breeding 

 places, and the health of the city was greatly impaired. 



The mayor started a movement which led to the use of 

 thousands of vacant lots for the growing of potatoes and other 

 garden crops. The suburbs of the city were made beautiful. 

 The lots were cleaned up and plowed. Crops were planted. 

 Idle men, women and children found employment. Crops 

 were produced which aided materially in the maintenance of 

 many poor fami^ ' s. Hundreds, who had' been dependent 

 upon the city for support, became independent. They were 

 able to look the world in the face, as they were no longer 

 beggars. 



Other large cities have, from time to time, taken up this 

 movement and with slight changes have carried out the plan 



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