106 STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



schools earlier or later varieties be sent, as the most of those sent were pret- 

 tiest during the months of vacation. We have tried hard, but the dry weather 

 has prevented our saving seed this fall, but by no means shall we give up the 

 idea of flowers in the future. 



Geo. W. Mackay, Olivet: The idea of beautifying our schoolyards is a noble 

 one. We appreciated your assistance, and made the most of the experiment, 

 learning new lessons every day from our garden. It was an inspiration in our 

 school work. 



OLira Bloomburg, Grand Ledge: We had very poor success with our flowers, 

 but not from lack of care, for when scliool closed (July 1st) not a weed was 

 anywhere to be seen. The months of July and August are vacation, and as 

 most of our flowers bloom at that season, it is almost impossible to give them 

 thorough attention. However, we are not discouraged, but will try another 

 season, and get the seeds of flowers that bloom before July and in and after 

 September if possible. 



Frankie J. Gibbs, Big Beaver : As the year was very unfavorable owing to the 

 drouth, they did not do very well, but as the care of them afforded the children 

 so much pleasure, I would heartily recommend the cultivation of flowers in 

 school-yards. 



Guy 0. Parkis, Marshall : Our beds were carefully spaded and enriched from 

 a neighboring barnyard. The seeds came up, and weeds kept down until July 

 1st, when we had our long vacation and they were neglected. However, we 

 cleared out the weeds again in autumn and all the plants bloomed nicely until 

 frost came. They were a constant source of enjoyment to us, and as our school- 

 house is on four corners, our experiment attracted a good deal of notice and 

 received many compliments. 



Jennie Baker, Pontiac: Joseph's coat, cypress vine, alyssum, candytuft, 

 zinnia, four-o'clock, nigella, mignonette, coxcomb, portulaca, and batch- 

 elor's button did well. Dry weather injured the others very much, but our 

 work was highly praised and we derived benefit from it. 



Grace E. Bradley, Bridgman : Seeds were planted and did well until vaca- 

 tion, when our school-house was repaired and workmen were no respecters of 

 flowers and our beds were destroyed. 



E. Collins, Port Crescent: The seeds sent were Avell selected and were very 

 gratefully received by the scholars, each recipient receiving five varieties. In 

 some instances it was a real labor of love, and the results in many cases were 

 very gratifying. The success of the experiment was marred however, by the 

 forest fires that devastated this county, making it impossible for me to present 

 anything like a report. I think that the same venture repeated would be much 

 appreciated, and would tend to cultivate a love of the beautiful among the 

 young such as is eminently desirable. 1 shall be glad to hear from you at any 

 time, and will do all I can to advance the interests of your excellent society. 



K. A. Culver, Burlington : We did not have very much success in raising 

 flowers this season because of the drouth. We planted about half of the varie- 

 ties and cultivated them well until the close of the spring term and then they 

 nearly all dried up. The pupils were very much interested in the cultivation 

 of flowers, and did a large share of the work. 



A. Melody, Wyandotte : The children were happy and interested in our 

 flower garden, doing nearly all the work, but unfortunately the drouth began 

 directly after planting and nearly ruined our hopes. The four-o' clocks did 

 well; the morning glories and beans looked thrifty, and also another plant with 



