70 GARDENS AND THEIR MEANING 



on both sides of a plant, which will thus attain a symmet- 

 rical leafage. This bit of real estate can then be subdivided 

 into "lots to suit," with no restrictions, as the advertise- 

 ments read, so long as it is controlled by the workers them- 

 selves, divided amicably according to the schemes they have 

 in mind. Then by reducing, as far as possible, the number 

 of cross paths, we can economize space, and the artificial, 

 checkerboard effect of many school gardens, which is quite 

 unnecessary, can be avoided. Some do not object to this 

 patchy and wholly individualistic method of division ; other 

 persons do object, chiefly because it neither expresses nor 

 encourages any cooperative association on the part of the 

 workers. Indeed, it gives quite the opposite impression, for 

 it copies rather the rows of isolated desks in a classroom, 

 so suggestive of mental and spiritual quarantine. 



It is not to be understood, however, that further division 

 of the land for some real purpose is in any way objectionable. 

 The point is always to have the entire planting done not at 

 the bidding of some grown-up autocrat, kindly and wise though 

 he may be, but by the mutual agreement of the workers. 

 This once accomplished, appearances can safely take care of 

 themselves. 



Suppose the strips to be subdivided into various sections ; 

 then each individual or each cooperating group of children 

 can cultivate one or more of these sections according to any 

 basis that all consider fair. Some schemes in their very nature 

 will need more space than others, some less. One group of 

 workers will specialize in variations of the cabbage tribe, — 

 collards, kohl-rabi, cauliflower, etc. Another group will watch 

 the effects of the different fertilizers. Still another will perhaps 

 engage in the business of flower culture. Whatever specialty 

 happens to be seriously chosen, it will bring in its train plenty 

 of wholesome education. Who shall say of these electives 



