338 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



first, unless some pedigreed seed is to be tested or some 

 variety new to the region is to be tried^ 



Thinning. — ^Children should be shown how to thin plants 

 carefully without disturbing the ones which are to be left in 

 the row. Thinning is frequently necessary, particularly with 

 such plants as beets, because the seeds are in clusters, or many 

 germs are in one seed-case, and several plants sprout so close 

 together that they cannot thrive. Thinning is also necessary 

 when too much seed has been used. Lettuce and radish seeds 

 are planted too thick, vidth the intention of taking out the 

 largest plants for use and leaving the others thin enough to 

 grow well. 



The teacher should show the child which plants are the best 

 to leave, and how to remove other plants with a side motion 

 of the hand. Replacing dirt about the plants to be left is 

 often advisable. If a large area is involved, much of the 

 thinning may be done by the use of a hoe or hand weeder. 

 Plants are left at a given distance apart in hunches, and the 

 fingers may afterward be used in thinning these bunches. 



With very small children it is necessary to show which are 

 the good plants and which are the weeds. Close observation 

 may be necessary to discriminate when the plants are small. 

 Radish plants may resemble weeds of the same family. 



The position of the child while weeding, or in doing similar 

 work in the garden, is important. If the child supports. his 

 weight upon his toes and rests the body upon his heels the 

 position of his back is much better than if he keeps his legs 

 straight and leans over to reach the ground. A very good 

 method is to put one knee on the ground and bend the other leg 

 as just described. The position of the back is then vertical 

 instead of horizontal. (Figs. 159 and 160.) 



Using Both Hands. — Children should be taught to use 

 both hands in all garden operations. They may rest the 

 muscles of the hands and arms much better if properly trained 

 in this matter. Weeding and thinning can be done vdth the 



