GARDEN STUDIES 129 



will hunt over garden catalogues with him and encourage 

 him to form his own plans, select the things he wishes to 

 raise, and give him necessary information. Then if the 

 child chooses to raise something of real value to the 

 household, they may pay him the market price for it and 

 encourage him to start a savings-bank account of his own. 

 Year by year, as the children grow in ability, the parents 

 will gradually increase the size of their gardens, give to 

 this one an apple tree, to another a grapevine, to another 

 the crimson rambler by the porch, and so on, thus appor- 

 tioning the nature property of the home where it will 

 yield the greatest amount of education to their children. 

 They will thus gradually and naturally increase respon- 

 sibilities and opportunities for creative and productive 

 work. 



This work will, of course, take every possible direction 

 according to the circumstances and needs of the home. 

 A well-kept garden can easily supply half the living of a 

 family, and the fresh vegetables and fruits, which are 

 beyond all comparison superior to the stale products of 

 the markets, may have a wonderful influence upon the 

 health of the household. But, if these things are not 

 considered desirable, the land at disposal may be devoted 

 to ornamental plants and the home be made a paradise of 

 flowers and trees. 



If the boy cannot have the care of a little garden of his own, he 

 should have at least a few plants in boxes or flower pots, filled not 

 with rare and delicate or double plants, but with such as are com- 

 mon, rich in leaves and blossoms, and thrive easily. The child, or 

 boy, who has nursed and cared for another living thing, although it 

 be of a much lower order, will be led more easily to guard and foster 



