THE SCHOOL GARDEN 93 



must be made to regard such labour with pleasure and 

 to look forward to it. 



Give the children a difficult task and make them feel 

 a sense of responsibility; arouse their interest by ex- 

 citing rivalry; let them understand the reason for what 

 they have to do; let them participate, even to a small 

 extent, in any profit there may be. 



Interest created in their work as pupils will doubtless 

 react to their benefit when they leave school, and may 

 lead to their cultivating the soil for benefit and profit. 



III. TEACHING OF FACTS OF AGRICULTURAL 



VALUE 



The third function of a School Garden has special 

 reference to the elder children, who should be taught 

 to perform carefully the tasks mentioned below. The 

 teacher might give the boys certificates of competency 

 when they prove themselves efficient at such work, but 

 care should be taken to insist on a high standard of 

 reliability and workmanship. 



It is beyond the scope of this Supplement to give 

 details as to how the work should be done, and refer- 

 ence must be made to Suggestions for School Gardens, 

 already referred to, and to other manuals. Teachers 

 who have attended the annual course of practical train- 

 ing in agriculture will be best qualified to undertake 

 this work. 



The following are suggested tasks that the children 

 should be able to do before leaving school: 



1. Lining Out a Bed. To line out a bed of uniform 

 width, making use of a cord, pegs, and measurements. 



2. Preparation of Soil. To prepare the soil thor- 

 oughly and make a neat bed. 



3. Holes for Plants. To make a deep and wide hole 

 for the reception of a plant. 



