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



Her talk was beautifully illustrated by appropriate slides. 

 All the various departments of elementary gardening were touched 

 upon, special stress being laid upon the proper way to lay a garden 

 out; what to plant, and when and how; the use of tools; friends 

 and pests; costs and profits, and the rest. On the screen were 

 thrown many pictures showing children at work in home and 

 school gardens; many kinds of flowers and vegetables; the tools 

 used; birds, toads, and other friends of the gardener. During 

 the hour or more consumed in giving this lesson, Miss Sipe 

 constantly put questions to the classes on the subject under 

 consideration, and it was encouraging to note the children's 

 interest in it, as well as the prompt and intelligent answers given — 

 the average age of her hearers apparently being about twelve 

 years or rather less. Miss Sipe kindly handed me for publication 

 in the present connection two compositions by children of that 

 school on home garden topics. The young writers are each about 

 ten years of age, and the papers have not a little to commend 

 them. They show very well the attention they give to the subjects 

 brought before them, and the admirable methods adopted to 

 impart knowledge. These compositions are as follows: 



Testing the Soil 



If you think your soil is sour or acid, but are not positive, you 

 can find out very easily by using blue litmus paper. 



I am sure of this, because we experimented at school by putting 

 a piece of blue litmus paper in a bottle of acid, which immediately 

 turned it red. 



We know that acid turns blue litmus paper red, so we can easily 

 test our own soil. 



You must take a saucer of the soil that you are going to plant 

 in and add enough water to make it muddy, then put a piece of 

 litmus paper in it. If it turns red, you may be positive that your 

 soil is acid or sour. 



Since most plants will only thrive in sweet soil, we must find 

 what remedy we need. 



We had another experiment showing how to sweeten soil. Can 

 you guess what it is? It certainly is a treat to the soil. 



Well, since you can't guess I will have to tell you. Sprinkle 

 a little lime over the soil. 



