IRISH] SYMPOSIUM OF GARDEN SUPERVISORS 111 



under the direction of the teacher and competent garden instructor, 

 which may be either one person or two different people, assembles 

 in single line about the plot, each pupil with a hoe or iron rake. 

 The instructor standing in the central path, explains how to use the 

 tools, after which all pupils begin preparing the ground at the same 

 time and those who fail to proceed as instructed are corrected as 

 the work proceeds. In a comparatively few moments the ground 

 is made fine, mellow and in smooth condition, ready for making 

 rows in which to plant seed. Rows are laid out the long direction 

 by two or three pupils according to a plan drawn to scale, made in 

 the room previous to coming to the garden, and which shows the 

 number of rows, distance apart, and kinds to be planted. While 

 rows are being made, a few seeds are distributed to each pupil and 

 when all is in readiness, and the methods for dropping explained, 

 the seeds are scattered, first in the two outside rows, then stepping 

 over to each succeeding row until all are planted. The seeds are 

 then covered, either by hand or by rake, leaving the surface even 

 and loose. In like manner, the after care of the crops is given 

 proper attention and occasional visits are made to the garden for 

 observation. 



Unfortunately many city schools have very poor or even no 

 facilities whatever for conducting garden operations. A hot bed, 

 a window box, or even a few flower pots, may often be advantage- 

 ously used for such work as the examination and behavior of soils 

 when watered and allowed to dry, and also in the germination of 

 seeds and the starting of various early plants for the garden, such 

 as tomatoes, cabbage, and many flowering plants. Many seedlings 

 started in this manner may be taken home later by the children, 

 which in itself will be a stimulus to some home garden project. 



By this work at school pupils will have learned much about 

 plants, their culture and uses, and some of them, who have a place 

 will desire to grow a greater or less number at home. They should 

 be assisted and encouraged by the school as far as possible. Ex- 

 perience has taught that boys and girls accomplish more by organiz- 

 ing into school garden clubs for the performance of work outside 

 school hours. All enrolled in this work from one school may con- 

 stitute the Boys and Girls Garden Club of that school, thus making 

 each school a unit of organization. 



The measure of success and continuation of the home project will 

 depend much upon the amount of supervision given. The mem- 



