Pingree's Potatoes

It will be remembered that quite late last sumiiier the idea occurred to Mayor Pingree, of Detroit, tu help the puur people oí that city whó were sutfering, by allowiug tliem to help themselves sumewhat, hia scheine being 10 allow tlit'in to till the vacant lands lying about the city, and have the product chereof that tiiey slioukl raise tor their iood. i There were plenty of responses tbr the loan of vacant lands lor the experiment, and the suin of $2,884.59 was contributed by geueruus people with which tu buy implementa to work with and seed. A comniission of volunteers was appointed to take charge of the work and these gentlemen have just issued a pamphlet, of which tlïis acknowledges the receipt, giving a full account of their work. ïhe pamphlet is of considerable interest, and will be sought after by other cities, for every place has the same thing to deal with as Detroit. They report a deficit of $774.59 over and above the amount donated. Mauy things were raised, altliough the experiment was commenced late in the season. The best idea of the results can be obtained trom their own words, so we quote : ■'It is reasonable to say that the venture netted to the cultivators lood to the value of from $12,0U0 to $14,000 at a cost to the committee of about $3,000. Considering that the land used was in many cases an abandoned truck garden or very poor soil that tiiere -was an unusual droüght duringthe greater portion oí the summer; thal in every case the land was covered with a thick sod or with weeds when plowed in the montb of June, and that nu organizatiun existed to carry the plan into effect until the lirst week in Jnnc, it was said that the experiment was at tended with more sueeess thaii coulü have been expected. Although tliis experiment partook somewhat of the nature of a charity, yet each person obtained the fruits of his own labor, and the eonimitiee feel assured that the expenditure of like amount of money in any other way for the benefit of the recipients, would not have accomplished as guod results. A large propurtion of the cultivators had already soine experience in raising vegetables, yet a great inany learned something about gardening and truck raising. By such as work at day labor, the hoeing and weeding of the lots was done early morniug or after working hours, and in mány cases by womeu ajid boys. What was raised lias materially aided the cultivators during the suuauier, and in most instances enough potatoes have been harvested to last tliem through the winter. ïhe committee has received applicatione from a great many of these people for pieces of land for next year, the majority asking only for the ground, they themselves to do the spading and seeding. "In the management of the experiment, political cunsiderations have had no hearing, and the services of the committee and of those members who attend to the details, throughout the summer, have been gratuitous. Should the city conclude to carry oa hereafter projects of a similar nature, it is believed that the experience gained this year is of value, and that in many respecta the plan could hereafter be iurvproved upon, and that the ns; c.ould be greatlv rëduced per piece by beginning in time. Tlie committee from experience find that about l-:i of au fcre is sufh'cient land for a lainilv to raise enongh potatoes on tu last thein through the winter, and funiish vegetables throngh the summer. Those familiar with gardening appieciate liuw mach focjil can be raised onasinall piece of ground. There siem tu be many cases, where tiie appli. ants aithough bein in need, dread to go to tlie Poor Coimnissioner for help, who by being aided on this plan, do not lose their self respect, and will be able togetherwith whal they can earn to provide for themselveB, aiid thereby be prevented from becoming permanent objectsof charity."