1332 



Ri'RAL School Leaflet 



STUDIES WITH CULTIVATED PLANTS 



E. A. White 



HERE is much natural plant life that is 

 interesting in every rural district . When- 

 ever possible this should be brought to the 

 attention of children and made a basis for 

 study. Children should l)e taught to have a 

 keen appreciation of beauty in native plants 

 and flowers, but these may be supplemented 

 to a considerable degree by species of plants 



tliat are not native. 



Among the writer's most pleasant reminiscences of child- 

 hood in the country, is the joy of springtime, when on the 

 way to and from school, he would rush eagerly to some 

 secluded spot to find the first arbutus, trillimn, and coKmi- 

 bine. In addition to the joy of these flowers of nature, how- 

 ever, there was the old-fashioned garden, neglected as to 

 culture it is true, where sweet williams, daffodils, lady's- 

 delight, and other similar flowers vied with each other for the control of 

 the garden. 



This was long before the reign of nature study and school gardens, 

 but among the recollections that have come down through the years is 

 that of one teacher in particular who had a love for plants. It was at 

 her suggestion that the little garden in the comer by the old stone wall was 

 started. Ne^'-er were there more enthusiastic workers than those who made 

 recess and noontime periods merry, clearing out the brush and stones, 

 digging up the sod, and spading in the fertilizer furnished by a generous 

 farmer in the neighborhood. Those who " carried their dinners " were 

 looked on with envy by those who lived near enough to go homic for 

 luncheon. It was counted a special privilege and honor to be allowed 

 to work for awhile in the garden as a reward for a well-prepared lesson. 

 Backaches were forgotten in the joy of outdoor work. At last the 

 ground was prepared, the seeds were planted, and water was brought 

 from a faniihouse near to aid their germination. The developing seed- 

 lings were carefully watched, and all too soon for the garden workers 

 came the " last day of school." 



Then followed the long smnmer vacation when no care was given the 

 garden, and weeds ran riot over the plot. All the children were too 

 busily occupied at home to give the garden any attention, and with the 

 fall came a new teacher with no knowledge of plants, and, more unfortunate 

 still, little interest in them. The garden was no more, yet the seed of the 

 love of plants had been sown in at least one country boy's life, to develop 



