1906| NATURE STUDY—No. 31. 217 
farms. A third prize was won this year at the National Exhibi- 
tion, Toronto, for the best collection of vegetables, in competition 
with regular market gardeners. A Fall Fair is held by the Insti- 
tute in September of each year. At the fair for 1905 there were 
over 1,000 entries in agricultural products, flowers, collections of 
seeds, pressed flowers and weeds, insects, shells, birds’ nests, 
polished woods, manufactured articles, fine arts, and boys’ pets 
of all kinds, such as dogs, poultry, pigeons, rabbits, Guinea pigs, 
-etc. The prizes this year totalled $240, and the attendance on 
two afternoons and evenings reached <,400. The ‘‘ Farmers’ 
Harvest Home Dinner,” held each autumn, is another interesting 
feature of the township idea. Upon its extensive menu nothing 
is allowed to appear, from soup to dessert, that has not been 
grown, in part at least, upon the boys’ farms. Even the menu 
itself is printed on corn-husks. Ministers of the Crown and some 
of the most prominent agriculturists in the province have been 
guests at this function. 
The objects gained through the Miniature Township are 
manifold and may be summerized as follows :— 
1. A comprehensive course in Nature Study. An insight into 
the principles of agriculture, which has led a score or more of the 
boys in the past four years to take up farming as a life pursuit. 
2. A practical experience in citizenship. Respect for law and 
order has been cultivated, and the sacredness of the ballot 
emphasized. 
3. The development of judgment and business instinct. Judg- 
ment has to be exercised in the choice of seeds, treatment of the 
soil and rotation of crops. The enterprise and business ability of 
the boys has been brought out in a most striking manner in the 
disposal of their own produce, the speculation in the purchase and 
marketing of the produce of other boys, and the formation of com- 
bines to enable the carrying on of a vegetable supply business on 
a large scale. 
4. Healthful exercise for city boys, and the acquiring of 
habits of industry, perseverance and thrift. 
A few particulars in regard to the work of the Broadview 
Boys’ Institute as a whole may be of interest. It is incorporated 
as an educational institution and is run along lines much the same 
