28 



Salsify. Long White. Sow as early as possible, and thin to four 

 inches apart in the row. Part of the crop may be left in the ground over 

 winter for spring use. 



Spinach. Victoria. Sow as early as possible, and at intervals of a 

 month if succession is desired. 



Squash. Summer — Crookneck and White Bush Scallop. Winter — 

 Hubbard. Do not plant until danger of spring frost is over. Bush 

 varieties require about 4 feet of space between hills. Hubbard should 

 have at least 8 feet. 



Tomatoes. Early — Earliana, Dominion Day, and Mayflower. Sow 

 seed in seed box or hot bed about the middle of April. Transplant in the 

 open when danger of frost is past. 



Turnips. Golden Ball and Hartley's Bronze Top. Sow early for 

 summer use and about June 20th for winter use. 



Vegetable Marrow. Long White Bush. Plant when danger of 

 frost is past. 



Watermelon. Hungarian Honey and Cole's Early. Plant when 

 danger of frost is past in well prepared hills 8 feet apart. 



CHILDREN'S GARDENING. 



In many towns and cities this line of educational work has the en- 

 couragement and direction of the Horticultural Society. A seed distri- 

 bution takes place in the spring to the children at the schools. Instruc- 

 tion is given in preparation of soil, planting of seed, and care of growing 

 plant. In the fall an exhibit is held and in most cases prizes are awarded. 

 Midland, Simcoe, Niagara Falls South, Cardinal, Brantford, Peterbor- 

 ough, Hamilton, Cobourg, Chatham, Guelph, and Ottawa are some of 

 the places that have used this method and found it good, at least from 

 the society's standpoint. Children were trained into a regard for plants. 

 It must be remembered, however, that to get the most educational worth 

 from it, the co-operation of the teacher is essential. The growing of the 

 plant must be used in the geography, the literature, the composition, 

 the drawing, and the nature study of the school programme to vitalize 

 these subjects; not overdoing it, though, so that things are seen out of 

 proportion and joy and spontaneity are smothered. 



In Chatham the school fair includes many other exhibits besides 

 those from the gardens. Exhibits of writing, drawing, map drawing, 

 exercise books, color work, nature study collections, manual training 

 work in clay, paper, cardboard, woodwork, etc., pet animals, and picture 

 postcards are also made. It is a good means of educating parents on the 

 work of the school, and invariably leads to an active sympathy between 

 school and home. 



In St. Thomas, the organization of the Horticultural Society was 

 due to the initiative of the teachers and children. The Teachers' Asso- 

 ciation buy the seeds and direct the distribution. In 1904, a commence- 



