Report of the Executive Committee 63 



even if there be some little difficulties and drawbacks, may not most of 

 these be overcome if the chief essential — the land — be available? 



" If arguments are needed to impress the value of gardening in schools, 

 then let me name a few: — (i) The importance of the subject as an aid 

 to the formation of character by the inculcation of such virtues as 

 method, neatness, order, observation, care, economy, &c. &c. (2) 

 The intrinsic value to the boy, as a means of physical recreation and a 

 source of never-ending pleasure, such as only a love of a garden supplies. 

 (3) The provision of a hobby that may keep the future man from less- 

 desirable occupations for his leisure time. (4) The means it affords 

 for bringing the mind into closer communion with nature, an experience 

 that results in deeper reverence for a beneficent Creator. (5) The 

 opportunity it affords for closer touch between master and scholar — a 

 most important matter. (6) The influence it exercises on the gardens 

 and allotments of the district, especially when the teacher himself has 

 established a reputation by open competition at horticultural exhibitions. 

 (7) The home value in such cases as the incapacity or death of the 

 father. Several of my old boys in Holloway are entirely cultivating 

 the gardens of their widowed mothers. Lastly, the national value of 

 the subject. The garden creates and sustains a love of home. May 

 not this have an influence on keeping some of our boys from drifting to 

 the cities? And thus the school garden may assist in preventing the 

 neglect of the land and the physical deterioration of the race." 



South Kyme School, Lincoln, has a detailed scheme of 

 gardening, and shares with that at Stratton, Cirencester, the 

 distinction of having an evening continuation-school in which 

 lads can continue their gardening work after leaving the 

 elementary school. 



It may be added that very many schools exhibited photo- 

 graphs of their gardens, such as those at Hereford, Woot- 

 ton, Nettleham, Caterham, Stratton, and South Kyme. 



B. Poultry- and Bee-keeping*. — An illustrated scheme 

 of poultry-keeping, carefully worked out, was sent in by 

 Lymm National School, Cheshire. 



That bees are not altogether neglected, and may form the 

 subject of outdoor lessons, was shown by the photographs 

 exhibited by Clifton Hampden School, Abingdon. 



