VACANT LOT GARDENING 19 



for the long summer vacatiou, the school children can spend 

 much of their time in the gardens (Mg. 4). 



The instruction given in the garden work by the Associa- 

 tion is of life-long value to such young people. They enjoy 

 the work and usually seek the opportunities offered by the 

 association. 



Apprefciation of the beautiful should be instilled in .the 

 minds of young people. This takes the place of training of 

 the opposite kind, where vacant lots are unimproved, too often" 

 given to young people. It is because of the improved appear- 



FlG. 5. — Back yard gardening by a poor boy. 



ance given to the city that park commissioners find it advisable 

 to aid vacant lot gardening projects. 



Whei young people supply a part of the vegetables for the 

 family table they early learn the value of honest effort and a 

 sense of responsibility. In poor families, the children learn 

 the possibility of aiding their parents in making a living for 

 the fajnily, through work which they greatly enjoy. 



Home Gardening Encouraged. — The spirit of gardening 

 rapidly spreads from the vacant lot tracts to the back yards 

 of the people living in the neighborhood (Figs. 5, 6, and 7). 

 The cleaning-up spirit pervades all. Many cottagers who have 



