mc quade CHILDREN'S INTEREST IN NA TURE-STUD Y 217 



then came an expression of the need for crayons so that their 

 mothers could write the signs. I promptly supplied the crayons 

 and as one little girl received hers she burst out with "Oh, Mrs. 

 M — if I could only write I could make the sign myself." Un- 

 fortunately it was not possible for me to gratify the child's spon- 

 taneous desire to learn to write. 



The next day this girl brought a sign made of paste board 

 bearing in very large letters the terse command "Keep off." 

 This was highly satisfactory to the rest of the class and we started 

 for the gardens with a sense of great importance. Much advice 

 was given as to the proper placing of the sign and different trials 

 were made, but the reason for its final placing was supplied by a 

 boy who said that it should be placed facing the back of the bed 

 since the toes of the footprints were pointing forward. 



The next day a boy brought another sign and by instruction 

 of the children it was placed in the other bed facing the opposite 

 direction in order that careless persons coming either way might 

 be warned in time. 



I did not understand the children's fascination for those beds, 

 there was little to do in caring for them and with many hands 

 that little was soon done. "Oh come along" said A — one day 

 impatiently starting for the pens "those kids would stand and 

 watch those gardens all day." 



By the first of November the wish for a flower garden had become 

 so strong that the importance of making one was urgedevery day. 

 I did not wish to make one so late but their importunities finally 

 prevailed and they were allowed to plan for a flower garden. 



The ground was selected and seeds prepared but storms set 

 in and other circumstances arose which prevented the carrying 

 out of this plan. 



D — our most interested little girl now left us and her sorrow at 

 leaving was as great as ours at losing her. She left her plant for 

 any little girl who might take her place as she was going too far to 

 take it with her. She said that her mother had promised her 

 that she might have a garden at the new home if possible. Our 

 long looked for rabbits were obtained at last through A — . Two 

 immense gray fellows who where instantly named "Roxy Bess" 

 and "Tom." They did not object to being handled and this was 

 a great point in their favor. It was such a treat to be allowed to 

 get into the pen and let them eat from the hand. 



