CHILDREN'S GARDENS 169 



spagnum moss or some similar absorptive organic 

 matter. This is to imitate the condition of a forest 

 soil, filled with roots and with considerable humus. 

 Plant in this soil some quick-growing seed, to take 

 the place of trees on a miniature scale. Buckwheat 

 is excellent, because of its rapid growth. 



When the seeds are planted, cover the surface of 

 the soil over them, with about one inch of such mate- 

 rial as was mixed with the soil, for the purpose of 

 making a mulch, to imitate the forest floor covering 

 of leaves. Water thoroughly. 



On the ground to represent the bare hillside, re- 

 move all surface vegetation, walk on the ground to 

 pack the surface firm, and leave it exposed constantly 

 to the sun. At the foot of each slope, place a board 

 to catch such material as may be washed from the 

 surface above, so that it may be examined. 



When the buckwheat has reached a height of about 

 eighteen inches, the experiment may be tried as fol- 

 lows: With a garden hose, imitate a heavy shower, 

 by spraying in such a way that the amount of water 

 which falls shall be equal upon both the bare and 

 forest land. Both may be wet at once, or if desirable, 

 turn the water first on the bare land, until the amount 

 that falls has formed little rivulets that run down 

 hill, and begin to wash the surface. Continue this 

 until considerable washing has taken place. 



Time this by the watch, and immediately turn the 

 same amount of water in the same way on the land 

 which imitates the forest, and for the same length of 



