2 78 NATURE-STUDY 



the ground. Geraniums, begonias, and fuchsias also should 

 be left in the pot, but sunk. 



Thinning Out: It is a great temptation to let all the 

 plants stand that come up. This, however, should not be 

 allowed if they grow thickly, for they will not all mature, 

 and none of them may attain a normal size. Thinning 

 out should be done relentlessly. Consider the size of 

 the adult plant and thin out to accommodate that. This 

 does not mean necessarily that the pulled plants must be 

 wasted. If carefully pulled or, better, pricked out, they 

 may be given away to those who have none, or they 

 may be stuck in out-of-the-way places, and used for replac- 

 ing such as may have met with accident in the main beds. 

 As a ru'ie, let the largest and best-developed plants stand. 



Experimental Beds: In large gardens considerable 

 experimental culture may be carried on: Certain varieties 

 of grain, vegetables, or flowers may thus be tried. Sugar beet 

 cultivation may be demonstrated, and the method of im- 

 proving com by selection also shown. The beneficial effect 

 on the soil where alfalfa, and other legumes have been grown 

 may be demonstrated, or different methods of fertilizing may 

 be tried. Such experimental plots should be set aside for 

 general care, and be placed outside the individual bed area. 

 Like\yise a bed or space should be devoted to a tree nursery, 

 and a small fruit patch should be set aside. 



Fruit Garden: Where space is available let an orchard 

 and a vineyard be planted. In the course of a few years 

 these would be very interesting and useful parts of the gar- 

 den and campus. 



Ornamental Beds: Where a garden is cultivated for 

 the practical lessons of planting, etc., attention should also 



