HINTS FOR SCHOOL GARDEN 73 



plot plan is undoubtedly to be preferred wherever 

 practicable, and there are few village or rural schools 

 where there is not room for the plot system. The 

 individual garden arouses a personal responsibility 

 and interest invaluable to the child. The plots 

 should be small good results can be obtained 

 on a plot two feet square. Large plots which 

 overtax the children to keep in perfect condition 

 often prove so discouraging that they are neglected. 



Having agreed upon the type of garden, the loca- 

 tion should be determined. Lead the children to 

 study carefully the conditions of sunshine and 

 shadow, dryness and moisture, etc., and let them 

 decide upon the best place for the garden, and why. 

 The garden must not encroach upon the playground 

 too much. 



When these points are settled, decide how the 

 space chosen for the garden is to be divided; the 

 number, size, and position of the beds; number, 

 size, and direction of the walks, etc. All actual 

 measurements and calculations should be made by 

 the children, and plans drawn to scale. 



Breaking up and fertilizing the soil, raking, stak- 

 ing out beds and walks, must all be done system- 

 atically, with a reason for each process. 



The older children should be supplied with note- 

 books in which to keep a written record of their 

 work in the garden. 



It is best to select for cultivation in the first school 



