102 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [14:3— Mar., 1918 



On this basis why not reconstruct a course for nature-study 

 worthy of all the enthusiastic effort we can command from children 

 who are working on a project very vital to them. The following 

 are some suggestions for such a course. 



SCHOOL GARDENS FOR SUBURBAN SCHOOLS 



To counteract the discouragements of a neglected school garden 

 during the summer months, when weeds grow rampant and 

 harvests are ungathered, why not start a garden for the nearest 

 neighbor instead of planting one at school ? If done painstakingly 

 and thoroughly, and left in good condition in June, the owner 

 might consider it a fair bargain if the garden truck belongs to 

 him in payment for his accommodation. Radishes, onions, 

 and lettuce are about the only products maturing before school 

 closes, but children should also know how to grow beans, potatoes, 

 tomatoes, corn, beets, carrots, and other vegetables as well. 

 The garden should be large enough to plant several different 

 vegetables and enough of each to really count in the way of food 

 for an average-sized family. Perhaps the children might have 

 the radishes, onions, and lettuce in payment for their own labors. 

 Or, if the garden were on the school grounds, could it not be made 

 worth while for some neighbor to care for it during the summer 

 and have the garden truck for his own use ? 



Home gardens should be encouraged by all means, but so often 

 the home garden reflects the meager planting of the school garden. 

 To in a measure prevent this result, the school garden should be 

 a model of efficiency in every way possible. 



So much for the vegetable garden ; but when you stop to consider 

 the small proportion of one's own grounds devoted to vegetables 

 and so much larger proportion devoted to lawn, shrubbery, 

 flowers, and trees, we know that our school garden supplies only 

 a part of that education so needed in the life of the average citizen. 

 A knowledge of how to care for a lawn, beautify it, and appreciate 

 landscape gardening either at home or in the parks is another 

 important phase of gardening. 



The ideal school garden should be large enough to include a 

 lawn, shrubbery, trees, gravel walks, flowers a bird bath, bird 

 boxes, perhaps a pond for gold fish and water lillies, and a place 

 for pets for the younger children. Enclose the entire garden 



