parnham] SCHOOL-GARDENS RELATION TO GEOGRAPHY 83 



Hemp should be found among the plants of the school-gar- 

 den. Hemp and flax fibers should be compared in color, length, 

 coarseness and strength. Children should learn how each fiber 

 is best adapted to its use. Compare flax seed and hemp seed as 

 to their oleaginous properties. 



The United States is the largest grower of tobacco. In 

 some sections of our country the cultivation of tobacco is the 

 leading agricultural pursuit, and its preparation for use is the 

 leading manufacture. It is a noble plant when growing, having 

 a height of three feet, and, when left to reach its greatest growth, 

 attains a height of six feet. Its leaves grow from one foot to 

 two feet in length. Its flowers are two inches long and rose 

 purple. Tobacco in our latitude must be started in hot-beds : 

 a few plants may get a start in the schoolroom. Its culture in 

 the school-garden may thus be practicable. Tobacco schould be 

 be set in the garden, north of plants of smaller size. The pupils 

 will discover that liberal fertilizing is necessary for tobacco, and 

 that it has its peculiar insect pests. 



In some counties of Xew York hop-growing is a prominent 

 industry. The hop is a graceful twiner, and may be trained 

 over arches at intervals along the garden paths. Clusters of 

 hops may be used in class-room decorations for the opening 

 weeks of the fall term. Hops need comparatively little care, 

 and yield good returns. The fact that the hop, as well as hemp, 

 is dioecious, adds interest to its study. 



Other useful plants that may be cultivated in the school- 

 garden are broom-corn, sweet potatoes — which form beautiful 

 vines — , peanuts, chicory — producing bright, blue flowers, — rye, 

 barley and buckwheat. The herbs of the kitchen-garden are of 

 interest because of their flavoring qualities and wholesome odors- 

 Among them are sage, spearmint, white mustard, caroway, sum- 

 mer savory, coriander, anise, thyme, dill, fennel and sweet mar- 

 joram. Many of these enter into pharmaceutical preparations 

 as well as into foods and confectionery. Some of them have 

 pleasing foliage and pretty, although rather inconspicuous, 

 flowers. Their cultivation is simple and their care trifling. Their 

 cultivation extends the child's knowledge of useful plants. A 

 handful of sage or of summer savory from a pupil might be as 

 pleasing in his home as a handful of scarlet salvia. 



