Committee on the Promotion of the Study of Agriculture 
in Secondary Schools 
This committee has nothing to report as yet. Data has been col- 
lected, but the matter is still so much in embryo that it is doubtful 
whether for the time anything could be done to promote it. The 
work should embrace more than ordinary gardens, which are, after 
all, nothing more than a healthful pastime, but it is felt that the 
subject could be broadened into a practical and helpful activity. 
Alice Kingsbury, Chairman. 
Boy Garden Units 
For some reason, gardening has never been a popular profession 
in America. In every other country it is taught as an honorable, 
interesting, and remimerative trade but here it is an accident. 
Women can be used temporarily on the land but when the war is 
over they will be needed for other things. Boys properly trained would 
find a permanent occupation. 
We would not suggest training for farm work. That is being done 
in agricultural schools, but there are no schools that specialize in 
practical flower-gardening. An apprentice system is the thing really 
needed, but in its absence much could be done by organizing groups 
of boys from 14 to 17 in communities where large flower and vegetable 
gardens are frequent. 
The boys could be housed as are the women units with a respon- 
sible middle-aged woman to cook for and look after them. They 
might then be "rented" for their board and a small bonus paid direct 
to the boy, to neighboring gardeners, preferably to people who did 
much of their own garden work or at least supervised personally, on 
condition that they be given practice along various lines, not merely 
be kept weeding or hoeing or grass-cutting and that they work for 
not more than six hours a day. The remaining two or three hours 
should be given to classes and study of plant material, soil conditions, 
etc. 
In other words, the boys should be given varied and interesting 
work and while they are learning how to do each thing learn why also. 
The owner or head-gardener should undertake to work with them and 
make every effort to arouse their interest. Their class instructor must 
be a man or woman really interested in the project and able to reach 
and hold the enthusiasm of the pupils. 
The end and aim of the experiment should be not to supply casual 
labor during a time of dearth but to so interest the boys that to be good 
gardeners would seem the high ambition that it is. Results would 
depend largely on the garden owners, their superintendents or head 
gardeners. Much time, much thought, and unflagging patience would 
