264 



NATURE-STUDY 



and fences, or edge of the grounds. In such limited areas 

 individual beds are out of the question, unless the number of 

 children is small. Generally groups of children or classes 

 will have to be assigned to a bed or border, to have charge of 

 in common. These beds or borders should not be placed 

 in the lawn, unless intended for ornamental purposes, and 

 even then it is wiser to have them along the edges of the 

 lawn as borders, for a neglected or withered flower-bed is an 

 eyesore, and the green grass is much prettier. Do not place 



Co*// 



MOLL yno c * 



FIG. 99. Suggestions for a Border Garden Along a Wall, Fence, or Mass of Shrubbery. 



Plant taller plants and vines in rear, the low, trailing kinds in front. Vegetables are more easily cultivated 



if planted across the border. Flowers look better in rows parallel with the border. 



the borders along buildings, if the rain-water would drip on 

 them. The north side of a building or a fence will be suit- 

 able only for shade loving plants, such as ferns, many 

 wild flowers, and some foliage plants. If, however, there is 

 plenty of light reflected from neighboring walls, flowers may 

 sometimes be raised, especially the kinds not requiring so 

 much light, such as asters, pansies, forget-me-nots, violets, 

 lilies-of-the-valley, wild flowers, etc. Have the beds and 

 parts of the borders in charge of groups of children. These 

 little gardens may be made much prettier than the larger 

 garden with individual plots, and the children will take great 



