208 The Nature-Study Idea 



mature rapidly, like lettuce, radishes, nastur- 

 tiums and marigolds; though peas, beans, cab- 

 bage, spinach and tomatoes are also cultivated. 

 The gardens are made and planted both in the 

 fall and in the spring, the crops sown in the 

 spring being cared for during the long summer 

 vacation by volunteers. 



"The beds are separated from each other by 

 paths one foot wide, and are arranged for the 

 different classes in sections, having two-foot 

 paths between them. Extra plots, six feet 

 wide, extending the full length of each section, 

 are used for overflow work by pupils who 

 are exceptionally quick and energetic. Straw- 

 berries and raspberries are sometimes permitted 

 in these beds. Another opportunity for work 

 out of the usual routine is afforded by a space 

 of three quarters of an acre which is reserved 

 at the rear of the garden for the purpose of 

 teaching the larger boys how to use a horse 

 and plow. In order that the esthetic side of 

 gardening may not be neglected the cultiva- 

 tion of a sense of beauty being esteemed of 



