12 THE SCHOOL GARDEN BOOK 



At times hoodlums discourage school gardening by up- 

 rooting and overturning plants and flower- boxes in sheer 

 vandalism. This has been overcome in many places by 

 persistent effort until general pride in the results secured 

 affects even the members of street gang- and insures their 

 appreciation. Such a victory is well worth the patience, 

 skill, and labor it costs, for it means that home grounds and 

 gardens will be respected as never before, because of the finer 

 public spirit developed and spread through the children to 

 every neighborhood and home. 



School Garden Exhibits 



Competitive exhibitions of garden products are very help- 

 ful in extending and intensifying interest in horticulture. 

 When one sees an array of beautiful flowers of many types 

 and varieties, or tables set forth with displays of fair fruit and 

 line vegetables, he wishes he possessed a garden full of such 

 products, and quite naturally resolves to grow another season 

 the sorts that please him best. Moreover, every exhibitor, 

 comparing his choicest products with those shown by others, 

 is stimulated to renewed endeavors, that he may rank as high 

 or higher at the next prize competition. Exhibitions of the 

 products of school gardens and children's home gardens 

 have repeatedly proved the means of convincing the public 

 that gardening by children is worth while, for the best results 

 from many districts and homes are thereby impressively 

 massed, and many people may visit such displays easily. 



An exhibition should be planned in advance if possible. 

 The classes of exhibits in which entries are desired should be 

 announced in the papers or by circulars. The announce- 

 ment may invite general displays of flowers and also of 



