SCHOOL GARDENS 93 



The associated course of work thus briefly outlined is intended 

 for pupils beginning work in the School Garden at about the age 

 of twelve. It will extend over two years, and elementary science 

 will be taken in the second year. So far as children under twelve 

 are concerned, the associated work need not extend beyond 

 sketching, brushwork, nature knowledge based on the objects 

 of the garden, and simple composition. 



It may be useful at this point to give an example of the 

 method for combining sketching, drawing to scale, and calcula- 

 tions with the garden work. Suppose the object about which 

 the instruction is to be grouped is a hot-bed. Having made 

 the hot-bed and placed the frame in position, each boy should 

 make a sketch of the whole, showing all the essential features. 

 With a measuring stick, notched so as to measure to a quarter 

 foot, he will then take all the dimensions, that is to say, the 

 length, breadth, and depth, at front and back of the frame. These 

 dimensions as they are taken off will be entered on the sketch. 

 The boys will then go into the classroom and draw a plan and 

 elevation of the whole. In this particular case not many calcula- 

 tions of practical value can be based on the work, but the boys 

 might be asked to determine (a) the area of the base of the manure 

 heap, (6) the area of the base of the frame, (c) the number of cubic 

 feet of air contained inside the frame. 



For day-school gardens it is desirable for a number of reasons 

 that the teacher should be a member of the ordinary school staff, 

 for he will maintain better discipline, he will be in touch more 

 nearly with the pupils, and he will more efficiently carry out the 

 associated instruction than would a visiting teacher. Besides, 

 it is an excellent thing, more especially in a rural school, for 

 one member of the staff at least to be thus brought into close 

 contact with one aspect of rural life and work. 



SECTIONS OF THE SCHOOL GARDEN 



The best methods of growing all the common vegetables 

 must of necessity be the first consideration, because physical 

 well-being is a preliminary to all work and thought. A nursery 

 for young plants must also be provided. The great increase in 



