140 CHILDREN'S GARDENS 



If the trash and soil are separated with a coarse 

 sieve, the soil can be returned to the garden, and often 

 the trash can be better sorted and some value found in 

 it. The separation of refuse for better disposal and 

 perhaps further uses is only neglected by the ignorant 

 and thriftless. 



Have the children sort the refuse of the garden 

 and turn each kind of material into the proper chan- 

 nel for further use. It is a form of wealth which 

 our intelligence should put to work. When separated, 

 the good soil can be returned to the plots. The grass, 

 leaves, straw and similar matter that will easily decay, 

 goes into the compost pit for future humus; pieces 

 of wood, knots, and stumps to be burned for the ashes 

 to be returned to the soil. Clean stones, coal ashes, 

 brick, and similar material for paths and fills. With- 

 out this separation all are useless for any purpose, 

 and even costly to dispose of. 



There are some weeds that not only live, but thrive 

 under conditions where others die. Go to the weed 

 plot and study out the reason. At every joint, where 

 they touch the ground they draw nourishment. From 

 many points they are supplied, and they never neglect 

 an opportunity to add still another. 



If man neglects to teach his children this kind of 

 Nature-study, he will continue to wonder how poverty 

 shall be relieved. Learn to seek income on every 

 hand, and form habits of turning little things to use- 

 fulness. 



