Junior Naturalist Work. 113 



In order that the children might be encouraged to write to Uncle 

 John, a small picture was offered to each Junior Naturalist who 

 would study four selections from the Junior Naturalist Monthly and 

 write an account of his observation on them. 



During the past year I have had an opportunity, following lec- 

 tures at Teachers' Assemblies and at Teachers' Institutes to learn 

 much regarding Junior Naturalist work as it is followed in the 

 schoolroom. It has been very gratifying to find that the teachers 

 find it furnishes simple practical lines that can be followed by the 

 teachers in public schools. I have found a large number of rural 

 teachers who are able to use the leaflets and who have found them 

 helpful. 



During the past spring and summer some experimental work was 

 done in school gardens under the direction of the Cornell University 

 College of Agriculture. The movement was undertaken for two 

 purposes : first, to give opportuntiy for practice work to the classes 

 registered in the University in school gardening; secondly, to ex- 

 periment in gardening for the benefit of the children organized 

 throughout the State as Junior Naturalists and Gardeners. 



The main effort in school gardens was expended in a garden sup- 

 ported by the City Improvement Society, the public schools and the 

 University. There were on this plot of ground one hundred forty- 

 four gardens, a few of which were planted by the teachers in the 

 practice class, the remainder by the children in the public schools. 

 The gardens were planned with the purpose in view of teaching 

 simple principles of landscape gardening as well as giving instruc- 

 tion in planting and harvesting crops. It was hoped that the chil- 

 dren would take a delight in the beauty of the place as well as in 

 the growing of plants. 



The important features of the garden were as follows : 



1. An artistic sign-post built along architectural lines, painted in 

 forest green with a touch of red, black and gold. This was much 

 appreciated by the children and was in itself educational. 



2. A building constructed for the purpose of having a vine- 

 covered bower in which the children might find rest and shelter. It 

 was furnished with seats and here the instruction in school garden- 

 ing was given. The tools were kept in a piano box in the building 

 and the top of the slanting cover of the piano box formed a place for 

 a black-board. 



