CHAPTER XIV 



ROOF-GARDENING 



MANY school-buildings in cities are now pro- 

 vided with roof-playgrounds that afford excel- 

 lent opportunities for roof-gardening. In New 

 York the new School of Ethical Culture has 

 ample provision for this work. The building of 

 the Educational Alliance and the University Set- 

 tlement are provided with roof flower-gardens, in 

 boxes and tubs. The Speyer School, a practise 

 school for Teachers College, is using the roof to 

 good advantage. The roof is flat, tiled, and sur- 

 rounded by a wall and railing. One part, a space 

 about twenty by four feet, is devoted to a gar- 

 den. Soil was put down on the tiled roof to the 

 depth of a foot and confined by a plank. The 

 space was divided among the four lowest grades, 

 and devoted to flowers and vegetables. No at- 

 tempt was made to study soil conditions, but the 

 plans for next year's work include a thorough 

 study of the composition of soil best adapted to 

 the growth of different plants. The box gardens 

 on the wall will greatly enhance the attractions 

 of the place, and give the children plenty of 



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