Mr. Rooper's Address 233 



plant might profitably occupy a whole lifetime, and 

 involve not only botany but almost every science. 

 Every earnest worker must, if original, have his own 

 methods and his own enthusiasms. In these classes, 

 which are intended to encourage originality and self- 

 reliance, surely the teacher should be allowed the 

 greatest possible freedom and the fullest responsi- 

 bility. I would therefore plead that no unproven 

 theory should be forced upon us against our better 

 judgment. 



SCHOOL GARDENS 



By Mr. T. G. ROOPER, H.M. Inspector, Board of 

 Education 



School gardens have been established in some coun- 

 tries for nearly a hundred years — they are no new 

 fancy. When managers of a school undertake to start 

 a garden for the boys to cultivate, they should keep 

 clearly in view the exact purpose and scope of their 

 undertaking. There is much past and present ex- 

 perience to guide them. 



If the question be asked, "Why start a school 

 garden?" authorities in different countries will furnish 

 different replies. In Sweden, for instance, the reply 

 will be, that gardens for school use have been provided 

 for the purpose of promoting agriculture. Prussia 

 will explain that the school gardens in that country 

 were established to promote the cultivation of fruit- 

 trees. In France and Belgium the school gardens are 

 arranged for growing flowers and vegetables as well as 

 fruit. 



