sipe] U. S. aid to GARDEX SCHOOLS 53 



to the efforts on the part of the teachers to prevent vandalism 

 in private flower gardens and pubHc parks. Several reports of 

 stealing and destroying shrubbery came to the undersigned this 

 past spring. Gardening seems especially adapted for the teach- 

 ing of property rights. The child recognizing the labor con- 

 nected with the preparation and cultivation of a garden is more 

 than ready to protect his own property and should respect the 

 rights of his fellow laborers. This is a social ser\nce that can 

 be learned by the children only through the untiring efforts of 

 the teachers. The superintendent of schools, A. T. Stuart, issued 

 the following circular to the teachers : 



April 6, 1911. 

 To ScPERVisiXG Officers : 



Within the next few weeks the city will be beautiful with flowering 

 bulbs and shrubs. Many of these will be found in beds that have been 

 laid out and planted bj- the hands of children in the schoohards; others 

 in private yards where the pride of the housekeeper is aroused to a degree 

 by the interest of the children in growing plants ; and still others in the 

 numerous parks that adorn the cit}'. 



Much has been done in the past eight years by the teachers to create 

 in their pupils an appreciation of nature's attractions and to give them 

 at the same time definite instructions in planting and caring for flowers. 



Xot the least valuable part of the work in school gardening has 

 been the moral influence upon the child. There is no doubt that the love 

 of the children for their own flowers has made them more careful of 

 the rights of ownership of their neighbors and less destructive than they 

 otherwise would have been. There is still need for the systematic instruc- 

 tion by the teachers upon the importance of respecting public and private 

 propert)', particularly with reference to plants and flowers. 



I therefore direct that the teachers in all grades of school endeavor 

 in every way to create among their pupils an interest in the preservation 

 and care of flowers and shrubs, not only in school gardens, but on private 

 premises and public parks. 



Repeated lessons should be given from now on, having in mind the 

 cultivation of a right public sentiment in the community against the spirit 

 of vandalism which unfortunately is as common among adults as chil- 

 dren. Home and School Associations and parents generally are invited 

 and urged to cooperate with the teachers to this end. 



Respectfully, 



[siGXED.] A. T. Stcart. 



It is a pleasure to state that there has been a marked re- 

 spect paid to the rights of others by the children since this con- 

 certed effort on the parts of superintendent and teachers. 



It is the office of the Department of Agriculture to help 

 the school garden movement. It desires to do so. It expresses 

 its willingness to do so by sending a represientative to this meet- 

 ing. Its publications, its seeds, its slides, its advice are yours. 

 Use them. 



