12 



GARDEN CLUBS IN SCHOOLS OF ENGLEWOOD, N. J. 



was of particular value to the work, but most satisfactory were the 

 instructions given in the individual gardens. 



Vegetable gardening, on a larger scale than is usually possible in 

 the back yard of a city lot, was taught b}^ means of a demonstration 

 garden. Since it served as an ideal for many people, and offered 

 experience of a rather extensive sort to a considerable group of 

 boys, it will be described somewhat fully. 



The demonstration garden. — About an acre of ground located on 

 one of the main streets, just opposite a school building, was used dur- 

 ing the summer as a demonstration garden. This was planted with 

 three varieties of sweet corn, three of tomatoes, two of ^gg plants, 

 two of peppers, two of turnips, three of radishes, endive, and pota- 

 toes. It served as a working })lace for several boys who were chosen 



MAKING A STRAIGHT SEED TRENCH WITH THE USE OF A GARDEN LINE 

 ^ AND THE HANDLE' OF A RAKE. 



on a competitive basis to do the work. The chief value of the garden 

 came as an object lesson to the community. 



The planting was done by the school janitor and the instructor, 

 with the aid of several of the boys who were more than glad to lend 

 a hand. At the time of planting, the ground was in rather poor 

 condition, as the weeds which were previously growing on it were 

 not entirely covered in plowing. Thus by the time the crops were 

 large enough so that hoeing and weeding could be started, they were 

 nearly hidden with weeds. Some of the daisies were actually in 

 bloom. This made an excellent opportunity for trying out pros- 

 pective workmen, although the conditions for a successful garden 

 were far from perfect. The garden had to be gone over several 

 times during the first cleaning, whereas once would have been suffi- 

 cient if the land had been more carefully plowed and harrowed. 



