HORTICULTURE FOR THE SCHOOLS. 299 



subject in the way of supplementary reading. If this horticultural 

 society could induce the people of the state in authority in school 

 work — and through them the teachers of the state could be reached — 

 to take up this work, it would be the most systematic way of intro- 

 ducing- it, and I believe it would reach the children in the most ef- 

 fective way. If they could supply the teachers of the state with 

 printed material, terse and to the point, I believe the teachers would 

 certainly do all in their power to further the movement. I believe 

 if a prize could be offered for literature on this subject, a story, if 

 you will, which would kindle the interest of children in trees and 

 flowers, just such books as "Black Beauty" and "Beautiful Joe," I 

 believe it would appeal to children just as much as those books 

 have appealed to them in the sentiment they are seeking to incul- 

 cate. I think such a book would be a great addition to our edu- 

 cational work and the effort would be well worth while. 



If in our schools Arbor Day could be observed, if we could in- 

 duce teachers to observe Arbor Day, it would be a long step in the 

 right direction. The day had almost fallen into disuse until inter- 

 est was aroused in it in St. Paul two years ago. It was wonderful 

 to see the real interest that was created. It was of no more inter- 

 est to the children than it was to the grown people. If Arbor Day 

 could be observed, not only in sentiment but in a practical way, by 

 giving a lesson in the planting of trees, giving instruction in the 

 care of trees, and not only in a general way but by going into the 

 details, such as how the tree should be set, at what depth, what size 

 hole to make, what kind of soil should be used, what variety should 

 be planted in certain situations and so on, I believe it would be a 

 practical way of giving instruction, and it would be of interest and 

 encouragement because the children would know what to do. 



There are so many things that present themselves, and that 

 probably present themselves to your imagination also, that I can 

 speak of only a few of them today. I believe the best modem 

 thought has to be centered upon this problem of education, and al- 

 though the movement is a very great one to accomplish I believe it 

 will eventually reach every home in the state. If we can bring this 

 matter home to you in the way of inducing you to beautify your 

 home, in making your child happier and better in his home, and if 

 we can make it practical and plain that there is a systematic 

 way of accomplishing this result the problem will soon be solved. 

 (Applause.) 



Your president suggests that I say something of what was done 

 in" the way of introducing horticulture in the St. Paul schools. I 

 think the first step in St. Paul was to work all the excuses we could 



