CHAPTER XXVI 

 SUGGESTIONS ON LABORATORY WORK 



704. Importance. — A course in vegetable gardening 

 cannot be fully satisfactory without suitable laboratory 

 work accompanying the lectures or recitations. Labora- 

 tory work is essential for three reasons: (i) It is the 

 most effective means of teaching; (2) it creates enthusi- 

 asm; (3) it inspires confidence. When the laboratory 

 work is properly managed the student not only learns 

 methods, but he grasps principles and soon possesses a 

 much clearer knowledge of the subject than is possible 

 without such exercises. 



705. Methods. — Laboratory work in vegetable garden- 

 ing may be classified as follows : ( i ) Special exercises in 

 seed testing, sowing, transplanting, spraying, construct- 

 ing hotbeds and cold frames, preparing vegetables for 

 market, etc. (See 706.) (2) Work for which the student 

 is held daily responsible. A course in vegetable garden- 

 ing should be conducted the second half of the college 

 year, since it will then be possible for the student to 

 acquire experience in the starting of early plants and in 

 the making of a home or a commercial vegetable garden. 

 This idea should be carried out whenever facilities will 

 permit. At the beginning of the course each student 

 should be informed as to the dimensions of the plat which 

 he will be expected to plant and cultivate. Give him to 

 understand that it is his problem ; that he is expected to 

 plan his work and then work his plan. A map showing 

 the arrangement of the planting should be submitted by 

 the student and approved by the instructor. It is neces- 

 sary, of course, that the student be provided with seeds, 

 plants, transplanting tools and other equipment, but he 



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