32 CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



too soon will educate the brain at the expense of health 

 and endurance. 



At the age when a child is perhaps most interested 

 to begin gardening its plays are largely imitation of 

 its savage ancestors, and it may be more interested 

 in making tools of wood, or stone, or shells, than in 

 using modern implements, and to humor this desire 

 develops a large amount of resourcefulness. This, a 

 little later, leads to a better understanding of the value 

 of modern tools than if the child had never worked 

 with a pointed stick. 



To grow his vegetables, conquering the soil and 

 making it supply his wants ; to prepare and cook these 

 vegetables, and eat them right in his garden will de- 

 light him beyond measure. Even the city boy is more 

 satisfied with the potato roasted in a bonfire in a va- 

 cant lot than he ever is when they are served at the 

 home table. It is the little savage craving the life 

 in the open. If he never has these experiences he 

 loses a large part of his childhood and a valuable part 

 of his education. The girl craves this as much as the 

 boy. 



