40 SCHOOL GARDENS. 



in summer so they ought to make a good second choice. There 

 are tall growing asters and low growing kinds. The latter are 

 called dwarfs on account of their small stature. A row of tall 

 ones might be planted next to the sweet peas and a row of dwarfs 

 next to them. In this way we may be able to see them all at a 

 glance. Let us look at the aster seed; we find it very tiny com- 

 pared to the fat sweet peas. If it were covered as deep it might 

 not be able to push the young shoot through to the surface. "\A"e 

 must therefore plant it very shallow — just covering it with soil 

 well pressed down. Asters are sturdy little plants and need a 

 good deal of elbow room. When they come up let us thin the 

 tall ones to ten inches apart and the dwarfs to six inches. Let us 

 put in two tall kinds and two dwarfs. 



Shall we plant anything else? If we still have some space I 

 would put in some pansies or phloxes. They will make a pretty 

 edging and give lots of flowers. The seed may be covered about 

 an inch deep and the plants thinned to six inches. 



How many school teachers will try a garden next year? Write 

 us for suggestions. We shall be glad to help you make your gar- 

 den a success. If at any time the soil should be very dry, get the 

 boys and girls to water the plants, but see that the wetting is very 

 thorough, not merely on the surface. The watering should be 

 done at night. Next morning the surface should be raked to pre- 

 vent the dry air carrying off all the moisture and leaving the 

 ground hard and baked. 



