246 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



healthful work, and a pleasure as well. He has earned money from his 

 vegetable plot. He sends flowers to the sick. The girl loves flowers and 

 now she can have all she wishes." 



Only those who have worked with the children of the streets know how 

 hungiy they are for color. This healthful desire should be cultivated and 

 made use of to choke out less desirable tendencies. Not one mother has 

 been heard to say that she did not believe in the garden idea, and some 

 who do not appreciate the kindergarten see the value of this work. If the 

 garden existed for no other reason than to give the boy and girl a whole- 

 some occupation, it were enough. 



The little children of kindergarten age should be allowed to buy penny 

 packets of seed even though they cannot contest for a prize. One little 

 kindergarten boy has helped an old lady to make a corner of your city look 

 bright this season. The little five-year-old girl who wrote to Congressman 

 Tirrell from ^^'altham has voiced the feelings of those little ones whom we 

 should not forget because they are small. Her letter ran thus, — "Dear 

 Sir, I came across your address on an envelope in the street and would like 

 to know would you please send me some flower seeds as I am a little girl and 

 love flowers. I love nasturtiums, morning glories and carnations but 

 I don't know how to raise carnations. I am just getting my ground 

 ready and if you send me some I shall be very thankful to you and would 

 send you some flowers in an envelope when they grow. Does roses grow 

 from seeds? Please tell me. I love roses. I hope you will send me some 

 next week. I remain M. L., Waltham, Mass., age 5 years 7 months." 

 The kindergarteners of the city did good work with the mothers and chil- 

 dren by starting plants in paper flower pots, and sending them home to 

 be set into the ground. Some of the plants thus started obtained good 

 growth and the reward was appreciated. 



One morning a group of children was found gathered in a narrow ally 

 between two houses. This and the dirty street was their playground. 

 The object of interest was a dying plant in a tin can. The little girl who 

 tried to make it live was discouraged and had thrown it out ujion the ground 

 when the "Garden lady" appeared. It was too late to save the tin-can 

 garden, but a few flower seeds and the story of how to make a flower-box 

 made the little girl smile again and consent to have her picture taken. 

 Many stories might be told which show you how anxious the children are 

 to have gardens. Those who have nice gardens now hope they will never 

 be without one again. 



Landlords do much to help or hinder this work. We were sometimes 

 told that the landlord was pleased to have grass seed or flower seeds planted, 

 and occasionally he helped on the work by a contribution of shrubs or 

 perennials. In other places the landlord requested that the land be not 

 broken for a garden. These places seldom have model lawns. There is 

 nothing that makes a place attractive, and therefore raises the value of the 

 property, more than a well-kept lawn and garden, yet many people when 

 having a house built are not careful as to the disposal of the sand thrown 



