Mr. Rooper's Address 239 



geometrical designs for flower-beds, and the like; con- 

 structing plans to scale and using the plan to set out 

 the beds. The slope of the garden can be calculated, 

 and in some cases levelling can be studied with ad- 

 vantage. 



Ordinary drawing will be of value in two ways. 

 Perhaps the most important will consist in making 

 diagrams to illustrate important facts of plant and 

 insect Hfe. But it w^ill also be of use in making 

 drawings from nature of beautiful flowers and leaves. 



Even a subject like geography will not be discon- 

 nected with the school garden, for it adds an interest 

 to the geography lesson to ascertain what plants 

 grown in the garden are natives of America, or Japan, 

 or Africa, and the economic and commercial aspect 

 of geography receives illustration. The influence of 

 climate can be made clear and the explanation inter- 

 esting. 



The school library should contain a variety of useful 

 books on gardening and allied subjects. Many school 

 readers and school magazines will contain valuable 

 articles on recent improvements in horticulture. 



As subjects for composition, the studies that have 

 been described will be equally useful and interesting. 



Finally, home lessons may be given through the 

 garden. Home lessons which involve painful and 

 exacting thought are unsuitable for most children 

 in elementary schools. On the other hand, healthy 

 occupations which keep children off the streets and 

 away from bad companions are desirable. For home 

 occupations children can sow seeds, plant cuttings, 

 tend seedlings, and carry out many easy experiments 

 which are explained in school. 



