104 THE WAR GARDEN VICTORIOUS 
In the Borough of Manhattan there was an increase, 
according to the report, of seventy per cent, in the war- 
gardening activities of 1918 as compared with the year 
preceding. In 1919 it is expected that every available 
vacant lot will be planted. 
More than one hundred and sixty loads of manure 
were furnished during the season of 1918 and delivered 
to the gardens from the various riding academies near 
Central Park. 
The demonstration garden in Union Square had soil 
but a foot in depth over the subway roof and this served 
to impress upon the minds of pessimistic owners of 
vacant land the value of cultivation even under a 
handicap, as the results obtained from this one foot 
of soil were considerable. 
A constant stream of visitors recorded their names 
and addresses in the guest-book at the little garden- 
house in Bryant Park. People from almost every city 
in the United States and a great number from European 
countries inspected the place. 
Cities, as well as individuals, can entertain angels 
unaware, and many a community that encouraged 
war gardening purely as a patriotic measure, has found 
that city farming is a paying as well as a patriotic 
activity. Bread cast upon the waters, in the form of 
gardening efforts to help a famishing world, has re- 
turned after many days as a rich reward in increased 
civic wealth and betterment. Decidedly, war gardens 
are an asset to any city. 
