Preface 



Every boy and every girl who has a garden at home, or 

 who is given a plot in a school garden, ought to learn to 

 do the work successfully. Yet, as the author has found, 

 children, especially those who live in cities and towns, know 

 little or nothing about producing anything from the soil, 

 and since the teacher cannot always be present to direct 

 the work, there is danger that discouraging mistakes will 

 be made. For these reasons it seems that a simple printed 

 guide to make clear the first steps may be of the greatest 

 help, especially when the work is done at home. 



The author has therefore tried to tell the garden story 

 in a very simple manner, knowing that when once started 

 in the right way the young gardener will go on with ever 

 increasing interest and success. The attempt has been 

 made to write a true beginner's book, with directions so 

 clear and definite that any child who can read can under- 

 stand them. Numerous illustrations have been provided, 

 because these add interest to the work and help to make 

 plain how it is to be done. 



The importance of encouraging our children in outdoor 

 work with living plants is now recognized. It benefits the 

 health, broadens the education, and gives a valuable train- 

 ing in industry and thrift. The great garden movement is 

 sweeping over all America, and our present problem is to 

 direct it and make it most profitable to the children in our 

 schools and homes. It is hoped that this book will prove 

 useful to children who have gardens of their own, to schools 

 that are engaged in garden work, and to mothers' clubs 

 and other organizations that have become interested in 

 garden work. 



[3] 



543B17 



