THE 



NATURE-STUDY REVIEW 



Vol. 14 March, 1918 Xo. 3 



School Gardening — A Force in Civic Training 



Florenxe G. Billig 

 State Normal School, Emporia, Kansas 



We hear a great deal in these days about the "Town Beautiful." 

 Gradually through the potent influence of magazines and interest 

 in sanitation, the delight in well kept homes and lawns has grown 

 until what was formerly the individual's pride in the yard and 

 garden, has become a matter of general interest and civic pride 

 in beautifying the town in general. No greater influence in 

 inculcating this civic pride has made itself felt than that coming 

 from the schools where gardening has gradually come to hold a 

 fixed place in the school curriculum. 



A class in school gardening is a group of girls and boys working 

 as a community. Each child is responsible for his own success 

 and at the same time must help to meet the problems which are 

 of vital importance to the group as a whole. Thus, the children 

 receive their first lesson in co-operation. 



For example, the general plan of the school garden must be 

 such that the arrangement will be advantageous to each individual 

 and at the same time present a pleasing general appearance to the 

 eye. To make this possible, those children cultivating tall and 

 coarse-growing plants should select plots in the back of the field. 

 The garden beds should extend in a north and south direction 

 in order that the best light and sun relations will be furnished 

 to the plants. Proper drainage must be arranged satisfactorily 

 to each gardener, in such a way as not to interfere with the plans 

 of the others. The rights of each member of the group must 

 be respected in every question that may arise. 



This co-operative spirit is further emphasized in the planting 

 and care of the gardens. It is the duty of each young gardener 

 to keep his paths free from weeds and debris, to allow no weeds 

 which will be disagreeable to his neighbors to go to seed and to 



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