XIV 
INTRODUCTION 
garden movement is of recent origin, but 
it is gaining ground rapidly. 
As sixty-five per cent, of our exports 
are products of the farm, it is almost 
alarming to think that so few of our 
children know anything about them. 
One reason why nearly ninety per cent, 
of the successful business men of to-day 
were brought up on the farm is because 
of the productive industry taught in 
early childhood in farm life. There is no 
kind of training that squares itself for 
all-round development like agriculture. 
The farmers’ boys are brought up to use 
their hands as well as their heads, and 
learn quick observation and quick decision, 
which is of great value to them throughout 
their lives. The child’s garden certainly 
brings his life more nearly to that of the 
country child than any other form of 
study. As an aid to nature-study there 
is nothing to equal it. It can be used to 
help in nearly every other branch of 
study taught in the schoolroom. The 
practice in measuring and marking out the 
