THE EVOLUTION OF THE SCHOOL GARDEN 



In the middle grade of the primary schools, 

 pupils acquire some knowledge of agriculture, 

 instruction is given in soils and their fer- 

 tilization and in practical field work. Such 

 instruction, like the nature work in our own 

 schools, is a part of the regular curriculum. 

 Its aim is pedagogical. The utilitarian informa- 

 tion given is incidental, though, of course, it 

 appears otherwise to the child and often to the 

 child's parents. The main object of the study is 

 to train to better mental grasp by developing the 

 power of observation, the skilful use of the finer 

 muscles of the hands, and by experience through 

 practical lessons in cause and effect. 



Turning for a moment to Canada, where, in the 

 spring of 1904, a group of school gardens was 

 established in each of the provinces of On- 

 tario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and 

 Prince Edward's Island, we encounter the work 

 of Dr. James W. Robertson,* former Commis- 

 sioner of Agriculture and Dairying and until lately 

 director of the Macdonald Fund and President of 

 Macdonald College at Ste. Anne de Bellevue. The 

 Macdonald Fund for the establishment of the 

 Macdonald schools throughout the eastern prov- 

 inces, Macdonald Institute at Guelph, Canada, 

 neighbor to the Ontario Agricultural College, and 

 Macdonald College recently established at Ste. 

 Anne de Bellevue in the province of Quebec, were 



♦ Dr. Robertson is known as the " Agricultural Wizard of the 

 North." 



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