CHAPTER VIII 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN IN VACATION AND 

 TERM TIME 



"The earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and 

 she laughs with a harvest." — Douglas Jerrold. 



"This movement is one of national importance — one that is des- 

 tined to have a profound influence on educational thought and 

 educational method in this country; it supplies one of the glaring 

 defects in our system of elementary instruction." — W. J. Spillman. 



THE scope of the instruction in a school gar- 

 den varies greatly, from simple cultural 

 directions at one end of the scale to the 

 full use of all that its vegetable and animal life 

 may suggest to the trained school gardener or 

 skilful teachers with which it may be connected. 

 While trained school gardeners remain in the 

 minority, gardens conducted during vacation time 

 are likely to confine themselves to the simple cul- 

 tivation of plants. Where they possess a trained 

 staff, their activities are utilized to the utmost. 

 Keeping in mind these variations in scope and 

 purpose, the school garden will now be considered, 

 first, as an occupation for the vacation time, and 

 second, as an adjunct to or a corporate part of 

 the school. 



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