724 PARKS 



for the children to observe and study their characteristics. A placard 

 giving the name and stating the method of propagation is placed beside 

 each plant under consideration, and allowed to remain there during the 

 entire study period lasting approximately one month. At the end of that 

 time the placards are removed and the plants rearranged in number. Con- 

 testants are asked to identify the plants and tell the methods used in prop- 

 agating them on a card containing two columns. One column, headed 

 "Name of Plant," provides space for the names of seventeen plants; the 

 second column, directly opposite, is headed "State How Plant is Rooted." 

 The following plants are included in the contest: Acalipha, Axalis, Antirrhi- 

 num (Snapdragon), Aralia, Asparagus (Plumosus), Asparagus (Sprengeri 

 Begonia), Cactus, Carnation, Coleus, Croton, Cyclamen, Cyperus (Um- 

 brella Palms), Dracaena, English Ivy, Caladium (Elephant Ear), Cuphea 

 (Cigar Plant), Boston Ferns, Maidenhair Fern, Wild Fern, Whitmanii 

 Ferns, Ficus (Rubber Plant), Geranium, Hibiscus, Jerusalem Cherries, Bush 

 Lantana, Weeping Lantana, Palm (Kentia), Palm, Phoenix, Pandanus, 

 Pansy, White Moon Vine, Blue Moon Vine, Mexican Morning Glory, Salvia, 

 Sansevieria (Rattle Snake Cactus), Santolina, Strawberry Plants, Verbena, 

 Periwinkle, Impatiens or Sultani Rose, Pineapple, Devil Ivy, Althernan- 

 thera, Wandering Jew, Oleander, Pepper Tree, Cow Horn Lucus, Poinsettias 

 and Plumbago. 



The contest created considerable interest among the children and hun- 

 dreds of them frequently visited the greenhouses at City Park to prepare 

 themselves for examination. Many mothers came with their children to 

 help in this study. Several school teachers assisted their pupils and all of 

 the park board recreation supervisors took groups of children to the green- 

 houses and instructed them in rules and requirements of the contest. Such 

 activities arouse the interest of the child in nature and help create in him 

 an appreciation of what parks have to offer. 



Community Music. 



A number of park departments are offering the opportunity for chil- 

 dren to participate in musical activities through harmonica bands, toy 

 bands, playground orchestras, ukulele contests and other forms of activi- 

 ties. The Park Department of Memphis, through its recreation division, 

 has organized what are known as "household bands," in which the follow- 

 ing instruments are featured: Combs covered with tissue paper; kazoos; 

 harmonicas; a fork suspended on a string and struck with another fork; 

 preserve crocks and basins placed on a table or wooden box and struck 

 with a ruler; a bunch of keys giving a sleigh bell effect when rattled; saucers 

 set in a wooden table and struck on their edges with a pencil, the wrist 



