214 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:5— May, 1916 



More than five hundred children in all the grades from the 

 kindergarten to the ninth have a share in the school-garden of 

 three acres near the school. In the first four grades the children 

 have class or group plots; in the fifth and sixth, individual plots; 

 in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades the work is more optional 

 and increasingly commercial or intensive ("prevocational"), larger 

 areas being assigned to single applicants or to groups, for the grow- 

 ing usually of one crop. As a rule these are pupils who have no land 

 at home. Many of the children, however, have home gardens and 

 the school gardens are used for learning gardening methods and as 

 a laboratory for nature-study and for growing nature-study 

 material (and thus for growing children). 



Much emphasis is laid upon summer supervision both of the 

 school and the home plots. A detailed score-card is used to 

 report on the latter, prizes being offered for the best work. The 

 school garden is open twice a week for children to care for their 

 plots. Those who do not come lose a proportionate part of the 

 crop. 



The land for these gardens was formerly in part a dumping 

 place and was improved by aid of and for use of the children. 

 In 1 9 13 the school was awarded first prize for the "best home and 

 school gardens under the direction of a single school" in the state. 



Following is the list of plants recommended for the different 

 grades : 



For home gardens use plants previously grown at school if 

 possible; or, directions may be given at school just before the 

 home planting. 



Grade i — Bush beans and pop corn or sweet corn. Nastur- 

 tium and sunflower. Bulbs (paper white narcissus). 



Grade 2 — Radish and lettuce (curled). Zinnia and sweet 

 alyssum, or morning-glory. vSet out tomatoes or cosmos. 



Grade 3 — Beets and head lettuce, mignonette and phlox 

 (Drummond's) or pot marigold. Set out Cobcea (cup and saucer 

 vine) or pansy or geraniums. 



Grade 4 — Carrots or Swiss chard and onion sets; or, other 

 bulbs. Balsam, asters, stocks, or dianthus (pinks). Or, grasses, 

 clovers and grains (cereals) sown broadcast; or seeding a lawn or 

 school yard. 



Grade 5 — Cosmos or cobcea (starting indoors). Also tomato 

 or cabbage, starting indoors. Outdoors: bachelor's button, tur- 



