No. 4.] BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB WORK. 475 



and individual members of the Home Garden Association. The di- 

 rector was assisted by 15 inspectors who visited the children's gardens. 



The class of children most interested in Waltham are those who 

 seem to have the hardest conditions to overcome. What is considered 

 achievement on their part would not be for some who have better 

 opportunities. 



Previous to the exhibition lessons were given showing the children 

 the proper selection of vegetables and artistic an-angement of flowers. 

 A marked improvement in the arrangement of exhibits was noted. 



The regular inspection of the gardens does more, perhaps, than any- 

 thing else to stimulate the interest of the children. In addition to the 

 calls made by the volunteer visitors about 800 calls were made by the 

 director. 



The children were very faithful in attendance at the school gai-dens 

 twice a week, and all kept their individual plots in excellent condition. 



All associated with the work report a greatly increased interest on 

 the part of the children to put forth better efforts another year. 



MiUo7i. 



Miss Mabel E. Turner is in charge as garden supervisor. 

 There were 966 children in Milton between the ages of seven 

 and fourteen. Two hundred and thirty-six of these had small 

 home gardens. Sixtj-nine cultivated plots from 1 to 6 square 

 rods. Four planted one-twentieth of an acre each in tomatoes. 

 Twenty-one first prizes were won at the regular agricultural 

 fair, besides 19 second prizes and 9 third prizes. The following 

 persons are in active co-operation with the work : Philip Chase, 

 ^Nathaniel T. Kidder, Mrs. Allerton James and Miss Julia 

 Gordon. 



Groton. 



The gardens in Groton have been in charge of Miss Eliza- 

 beth S. Hill for several years past. The efficiency of the super- 

 vision is indicated by the fact that 69 per cent, of the children 

 between seven and fourteen had gardens during the past season. 

 The school committee, the Village Improvement Society and the 

 Woman's Club co-operate in financing the project. The follow- 

 ing extracts are taken from Miss Hill's report : — 



The money won last year by Groton from Amherst was used to pay 

 the salary of a nature teacher in the schools. Twenty-five lessons were 

 given in the various schools. A nature course was laid out, including 

 agriculture and gardening for ail grades under the high school. The 



