CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



better home conditions, and have created appre- 

 ciation of the beautiful in art and a love of 

 harmony. Nature study has opened the minds 

 and hearts of children to the beauties and won- 

 ders of creation and has exerted an uplifting 

 mental, moral, and spiritual influence. It has 

 been the forerunner of a movement of deep 

 significance and broad scope. 



School Gardens. — This is not a new phase 

 of education, but an old one gaining the recog- 

 nition and support its importance merits. The 

 gardens of Europe are far in advance of ours 

 in comprehensiveness and efficiency, but condi- 

 tions there differ greatly from those in this 

 country. We have our own problems to solve, 

 numerous and varied. 



Many progressive persons, realizing the 

 benefits and importance of this movement, have 

 risen to the situation with Western push and en- 

 thusiasm, and children's gardens may be found 

 in all sections of this country. It has not been 

 deemed expedient or feasible to incorporate 

 them in the regular curriculum of school work, 

 but these gardens are now being carried on un- 

 der the auspices of a few schools, civic leagues, 

 village improvement associations, factories, set- 

 tlement houses, and various other agencies. 



The theory and practise of school gardens 

 seek to reach and help two classes of children — 



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