DEPARTMENT REPORTS 41 



neighboring school that might wish them, and thus many more school 

 lawns could be rescued from their wilderness of weeds and be made 

 much more attractive, as well as congenial, to the pupils. 



Wishing to emphasize the fact that we have had a very decided suc- 

 cess, I remain respectfully yours, 



JOHN M'CLELLAN, 



School District No. 3, Springport, Jackson County. 



REPORTS FROM PUPILS OF DISTRICT NO. 2, SPARTA. 



Spakta, Mich., September 17, 1896. 



L. R. Taft, Agricultural College, Lansing, Michigan: 



Dear Sir — We received the flower seeds in time to plant them. We 

 did not plant them on the school grounds, as we intended to, on account 

 of a new schoolhouse being built, besides we were afraid they could not 

 be taken care of during the summer vacation, and so Mrs. Vanzant, our 

 teacher, divided the seeds among the pupils. I had five kinds; all but one 

 kind came up and were very pretty. ^ 



Last Friday each one of the pupils that had seeds brought flowers to 

 school, and we had a very pleasant time. 



We are going to gather the seeds this fall and divide again next spring. 



Yours respectfully, 



IVY FREEMAN, 



Sixth Grade. 



Sparta, Mich., Septemher 18, 1896, 



L. E. Taft, Agricultural College, Lansing, Michigan: 



Dear Sir — The seeds which our teacher received from you were duly 

 planted with accompanying directions. 



We thought of different places for a garden, but finally decided to 

 divide the packages of seeds among the children and let them plant them 

 in their own flower gardens at home. This plan was thought best because 

 it would be impossible to care for them on the school ground. I followed 

 the directions for planting and they came up as their turns came. The 

 mignonette was a very sweet-scented flower, and when brought into the 

 house would fill the room with its perfume. The California poppy was 

 noted for its beautiful leaves. The phlox is such a beautiful flower that it 

 ought to be called the ''Queen of the Garden." If there is only one flower 

 in a garden, it ought to be phlox. The China asters grew well and had 

 such pretty blossoms. Last week our teacher told us of your offer of 

 reports, and I was one out of the sixth grade who was chosen to write a 

 report. Wishing to be one of the favored schools, I remain. 



Truly yours, 



ERASTUS SMITH. 



