944 Rural School Leaflet. 



ample opportunity to learn that carelessness in respect to their own 

 property may cause their neighbor inconvenience. 



10. Generosity. — A talk with the children as to what they will do 

 with their crops will often suggest to them some pleasure they can 

 give to others. This should be encouraged. I have known chil- 

 dren who took more delight in giving away flowers and vegetables than 

 in keeping them. All children are imitative, and in a community such 

 as a school-garden one generous spirit often encourages a like spirit in 

 others. 



11. Entertainment. — If the teacher in charge of the school-garden 

 will help the children give a reception on the grounds, at which they 

 can entertain their parents and friends, it will be valuable in many 

 ways. In preparation for such a function, teachers will have an 

 opportunity to give instruction in some social forms that will be helpful 

 to the children in future life. 



Some Things to Consider in Conducting School-Gardens 



1. Organization. — A good-sized garden for children must be well 

 organized. Everything should be worked out carefully before the time 

 of planting, since confusion defeats the purpose and progress of the work. 

 In handling large numbers, time should be taken for drill in the dis- 

 cipline of the garden. This will be very helpful through the entire 

 season. Teachers will find that a whistle will save their voices. This 

 can be used as a signal, the children learning the meaning of the different 

 number of times it is blown. Obedience is much more easily obtained 

 out-of-doors than in the school-room. The children are more cheerful 

 and seem willing to conform to all that is necessary to make the garden 

 a success. 



2. Size of plats. — In staking out the ground, do not make the plats 

 too large. Children becomxc discouraged if they have more to do than 

 they can do well. I have found that a plat Sxxo feet occupies all 

 the time that the average school-boy of ten or twelve years cares 

 to give to gardening. If, however, the child takes the plat to make 

 some money, he may be successful in cultivating a larger piece 

 of ground. 



3. Class garden. — Satisfactor}?- results have been obtained by having 

 the entire class take charge of a piece of ground, each having a share in 

 planting a row or part of a row. The children work together, and the 

 harvest is used for any purpose that the children as a class desire. 



