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 
