SCHOOL AND HOME GROUNDS. IJ51. 



shrub from the home grounds if the teacher 

 will only interest them in this work, and then 

 use taste in arranging the material when it is 

 brought. 



II. Experimental Garden. 



If the school-grounds are ample, a little ex- 

 perimental garden laid out in the back yard will 

 be well cared for by the children if enthusiasm 

 has been rightly instilled and controlled by the 

 teacher. 



If the grounds are not large enough to admit 

 of this, the teacJicr is iirged to secure a vacant 

 lot for this experimental garden. No doubt it 

 can often be obtained for a small rental, or, per- 

 haps, for a share of the products. If agriculture 

 is to be studied, and it ought to be in some part 

 of the course of study in every school, then the 

 experimental garden becomes a necessity. 



The school garden should have the hearty 

 support of the children concerned ; without this 

 it will be a failure. A child that has to be 

 forced to take up this work would far better be 

 excused for the first year, at least. There will 

 be time enough for him to repent when he sees 

 his playmates with fine flowers and vegetables 

 of their own. To gain the hearty support of 

 the children requires only an enthusiastic 

 teacher one who believes in his work, and has 

 a definite, organized course of procedure. 



i. Preparation. (i) STUDY ON THE SOIL 



