SCHOOL GARDENS IN AMERICA 



was prepared for receiving bulbs. The German 

 method of tillage — fall plowing for keeping the 

 soil light and open to admit air and moisture, 

 thus setting free plant-food and supplying 

 nitrogen — was explained. After the soil was 

 properly prepared, bulbs were put in for spring 

 blooming. 



The nature-study work of the Junior Natu- 

 ralist Clubs is carried on under the auspices of 

 the Extension Department of Cornell University, 

 and it is an effort to introduce agriculture into 

 the schools, in a mild form. The clubs have been 

 organized about four years, and have been in- 

 creasing in number and strength and usefulness 

 each year. There are about three thousand in 

 New York State and several hundred outside 

 the State. 



To supplement the nature study of the class- 

 room, gardens were planted on school grounds — 

 three or four of the principal cities of the State 

 being selected for purposes of experiment. Most 

 successful and encouraging work was accom- 

 plished at Rochester. Arrangements were made 

 with one of the leading seedsmen of the State 

 for sale of seed packets at a cent a packet, and 

 the work had the stimulus of competition. Chil- 

 dren were encouraged to purchase seeds for 

 home gardening and the progress of the under- 

 taking has been most gratifying. 



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