COMMUNITY GARDENS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 128, 22 January 1932, Page 6

COMMUNITY GARDENS

VGUBTS AS TO SUCCESS OF ' SCHEFvlE NOW DISPELLED GOCD WORK AT STRATFORD Whe-n it was first suggested that the unemployed should, by cultivating garden plots for the growing of vegetables, inaugurate a self-help cr.mj aign, it was regarded dubiously hi sorao quarters, arid doubts were expressed as to the practicability of sueh a scheme, but the community r . gc-table gardens of the relief workers in Rotorua certainly dissipates any fears for tlie success of the scheme, The unemployed of the district appear to be fortunate in the selection of their gardening ofiicer, and alveady eonsiderable assistance has been ,-eh to the needy in the way of m: pplyiiig vegetables. Gonsiderafcle success has also been attnlned by the Self-Help Gardening Crah at Stratford where a similar sehenie is in operation and the fol'owlng extract from a report in conU '-'tion with their work should prove Irl . -e.-Ung. "Otu* gardening officer was selected ivtnn the lists of the local unemploycU. He hr.s l'ong been known as a hard grafter and on our club work ho com-istently works with his home gnrden till dusk. He maintains that it is only after 5 p.m. that he can get the co-operation of many men, and ix th-ey are disheartened or do not himw how to go about' things he . tnys with them as long as daylight bi-.is. Even on Sundays he is often oi" with his men helping them, and has actually got such a team spirit working that when one unemployed vrent into hospital recently he - r p.ve'l a working bee of the others ' o go and attend their mate's garden. S i'al more experienced members • I th.e club are entrusted with the of doO.OOO cabbage, brocolli, "U: n'ants, etc., for January plant- { ' Rerently some 12 or our membI ••••. I ; .; v ? gone far out on to roading r r rr i-U work, and in every instance > r >• '.'.ci v lii'.s arranged for another . ! Vtiamber to belp the wife carry n ihe abrcntee's garden. • p-v le had the benefit of an .:v'iv .-tfirt an«I now their gardens are i rrufitaMe returns, and stimul- ' tl.em to further planting."