SCHOOL GARDENING : A CORRELATION. 307 
Proportion of capacity to weight in various fruit crops. (Packing.) 
Composition. — Dealing with processes taught ; original observation 
and experience. 
Science. — Suitable soils, action of water, aspect for special classes 
of flowers, soil texture, light, air, warmth. 
Continuation School. 
r ' Abnormalities of plant life met with in the garden form interest- 
ing subjects for discussion at Gardeners' Meetings or Evening Classes. 
The great aim of any class in this subject should be to make the acquisi- 
tion of knowledge dependent on the students' own observations, to 
make original sketches illustrating the experiments which they them- 
selves set up and to write original notes, explaining the objects of the 
experiments, describing the results and drawing inferences from them. 
Chemical analysis could be made of the tissues of plants, with a view 
to the discovery of their constituents, in order that plant foods suitable 
for their individual needs may be supplied. Graphs showing in a 
picturesque form the proportion of the principal food stuffs found in 
typical plants might be drawn up so that the student might, at a glance, 
estimate the relative value of the various species of plants under culti- 
vation ; a very important matter when the cropping of a limited area 
is under consideration. 
The study of such subjects might be made more interesting by 
frequent use of lantern illustrations, which might very well reproduce 
many of the students' own observations. The special advantages to 
gardeners of such a course of study are obvious. All practical work, 
if it is to be really successful, demands scientific knowledge, and accurate 
inf ormation based on correct principles. This knowledge is best gained 
by experimental observation, under expert guidance. The gardener 
who is equipped with this scientific knowledge is more likely to 
achieve success than one who relies upon tradition and " rule-of- 
thumb " methods. He understands the best conditions for securing 
good crops, and, more important still, by realizing the importance of 
those conditions and the forces which produce them, he is often able 
to modify the environment of the plants under his care, so as to 
produce the very conditions conducive to their welfare. It is too 
costly and tedious a business to experiment in the garden — this 
must be done in Night School or Laboratory. 
The value of poultry and pigs as an adjunct to the garden should 
be taught, practically if possible — if not, theoretically. 
1. Droppings = concentrated manure of great value. 
2. Use for garden refuse. 
3. Fowls kept on a neglected piece of garden for a short time 
speedily clear it of weeds, and by their droppings convert it into a 
valuable plot suitable for immediate cultivation. This matter can 
be correlated also with ordinary school work by : — 
1. Oral lessons followed by practical observation. 
