1904.] LECTURT^.. 31 



deposit the sum in llic school hank. At the end of the season 

 they have a little fair, exhibit the i)rodiice, are awarded prizes, 

 and pa.y their share with a check from their bank account. 



It is necessary that children should know something of 

 agriculture. \\'hen onc^ takes into consideration that 65 per 

 cent, of the exports of the country are agricultui'al, he may 

 see the extent of agricultur(\ Instruction in elementary sub- 

 jects is necessary for all children, but if we can add elementary 

 agriculture we will have added a great deal. 



At Providence the pupils have gardens in the school yards 

 during vacation time, and grow vegetables that mature quickly. 

 At East Dedham, tliere is a school garden plant, covering four 

 acres. At Ham{)ton, Ya,., a great work is being done among 

 colored children through the school gardens. In the Hawaiian 

 Islands this system of teaching agriculture has been in force 

 since 1849. Near Honolulu there are several school gardens. 

 They were founded by missionaries, and their work has had 

 much to do with bringing the inhabitants of the island from 

 barbarism to civilization. 



The school of horticulture at Hartford is part of the Handi- 

 craft School System and covers about five acres, on which are 

 grown all kinds of vegetables. 



The pupils at this school are mostly from the public schools. 

 Any pupil above the fifth grade is eligible. The only rules 

 necessary are prompt and regular attendance at classes, 

 a well-kept record book and clean tools. Few children drop 

 out of the classes, and none because they do not like the work. 

 There are classes for adults, most of whom are nature study 

 teachers in the public schools. 



The school also has a number of observation }ilots, which 

 are cared for and experimented upon by directors of the school. 

 In these plots are hemp, cotton, sugar-cane, tobacco, flax and 

 almost every vegetable and grain that will grow in New England. 



Practice in measuring, planting of seeds, cultivation of the 

 plants, the watching for things to come up, learning to observe 

 what they look like, and to understand something of what 

 they see, the growing love for nature and things beautiful, 



