Teachers' Leaflet. 



613 



and lettuce, should be a guide as to the amount of covering to give the 

 seeds, and the general care in watering. This last necessity will seldom 

 occur during the inclement weather of April. 



The rows in the handkerchief garden should be made about five 

 inches apart. A very good method to get straight rows is to have the 

 pupil stand on a board having a straight edge while he scratches a 

 shallow groove in the soil. Onions have several forms for reproducing. 

 That of sowing black seed is used by the commercial grower who has 

 areas of many acres, and the harvest is not until fall. For early sorts 

 for spring use onion " sets " should be planted. The sets may always 

 be had at the grocer. The sets must be nestled into the soil to a depth 

 so the top part is just beneath the surface. 



Not many weeds will appear in April and early May, but whenever 

 one appears, have the young farmers pull it up. A little teaching will 

 be necessary at first, that they may identify weed plants from the farm 

 crop plants. Teach them that weeds are robbers in that they take 

 plant food and moisture from the crop that the plants want for best 

 growth for that sandwich festival. Another point to give them is that 

 the best time to fight robbers is when the robbers are babies. 



Composted sod makes humus — rich potting soil. 



A LETTER TO THE TEACHER WHO IS FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDERTAKING 



SCHOOL GARDENS. 

 My dear Teacher: 



You can accomplish almost anything with children if you will enthuse them. 

 Enthusiasm is like steam in the cylinder of an engine. With the teacher as a 

 balance wheel something may surely be made to happen. A boy or girl likes ap- 

 preciation, and should have it when there is an occasion for giving it. What gives 

 them great animation is the thought that they are doing something worth while. 



