PLANNING AND PLANTING THE GARDEN 



the second row of seed and so on. Lines of 

 planting should be even and continuous. The 

 rows, though broken by paths, should run way 

 across the garden, both for aesthetic reasons and 

 for easy comparison of individual plots. 



The question arises, shall all the planting be 

 done at once? If there are large areas to plant, 

 or the children come every day, it may be divided; 

 but if they come only once or twice a week, the 

 sooner the seeds are in, the safer and better, 

 and the less likelihood of the work dropping 

 behind and of consequent discouragement. If 

 possible, finish the planting the first day. In all 

 small plots this can usually be done. By working 

 diligently, three-quarters of an hour or less even 

 is sufficient to plant a 4 x 8 foot plot with seven 

 vegetables. 



The work of the first day should consist of an 

 object lesson in planting in a model bed, given by 

 the teacher, with the class at attention in an open 

 square about her.* An hour's instruction in the 

 garden including this lesson is long enough for 

 the first work with little people. The teacher 

 should do exactly what she wishes the children 

 to repeat and should accompany the action with a 

 brief, clear story of what she is about. When 

 she has finished, the children should march directly 

 to their own section of the garden and scatter to 

 the beds bearing numbers corresponding to those 



♦ This lesson may be given indoors by using a small box of earth 

 to represent the plot, but it is better given outside. 

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