and simply, this so-called new phase of education ; and some of 
the projects we have been using have been selected for this 
Leaflet, as follows : 
Project 1 : To determine the viability of seeds. — The application 
was made in our work of distributing the penny packets of seed 
from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to the children of the Borough 
of Brooklyn. 
To elaborate this project, one which might be used in any 
school where there is a garden or with any groups of children 
having home gardens, certain seeds are used, those which are to 
be planted in the outdoor garden, or, in the case of the Brooklyn 
Botanic Garden, to be sent out to the public. Give one or two 
individuals, according as the project is worked singly or in 
groups, a certain number of kinds of seed. Then show the 
common method of germinating seed, telling the number of seeds 
to use for the test, using the same number that is used in scientific 
tests, one hundred small, or fifty large and fifty medium seeds. 
Provideorobtain at homethe proper materials; blotter, Petri dishes, 
or saucers. Try the tests over several times to check them, as no 
one test is sufficient to determine the real viability of any given 
seed. One should look out for varying conditions of heat, mois- 
ture, and light in this experiment, as these are factors in the test. 
The student then changes the figures obtained from his tests into 
equivalent percentages. This is a practical project, not only to 
assist the work of gardening, but to use at the time when children 
are taking up the subject of percentage in arithmetic. Such a 
project, that of using different kinds of seeds, might be employed 
with an entire class and the results checked up in class, the boys 
and girls taking the results of the different individuals or groups. 
Various side lines develop from such a project, as, for example, 
the following: ascertaining the length of time required for germ- 
ination; depth to plant seed; plant groups to which the given 
seeds belong; countries from which the different seeds originate. 
The application comes as these seeds are used in the school and 
home gardens of Brooklyn, and the final practical results checked 
up at the time of the annual fall exhibit. 
Project 2: To test garden soil for acidity.— In this project one 
might make the litmus test for acidity before an entire class, and 
then have each child test out the soil of his own garden or school 
garden, or samples sent in by neighbors. The method used is the 
regulation test where blue litmus is dipped in an acid. The blue 
litmus paper changes in color to red. A sample of soil, say two 
table-spoonfuls, is put into a glass of water. Stir thoroughly. 
The soil settles to the bottom of the glass. Dip blue litmus paper 
into the water and note result. Definite directions for procedure 
in case of acidity of the soil are sent to the garden owner. The 
application of this knowledge, the final planting of the garden, 
and the practical results obtained in the betterment of soil condi- 
tions, represent the various steps in this project plan. 
Project 3: To determine the best flowers to grow in city back- 
yards . — The application is obvious. The students work on this 
project and also on Project 4 in the children’s garden area, a 
space set aside for this purpose, planting the material with which 
they are experimenting. The hardiest varieties are tried out at 
home in backyards all over the city. The results are turned in to 
be used for the benefit of the general public. 
Project 4 : To determine ten shrubs best calculated to su it the 
needs of a given community both as to decorative effect and adapta- 
bility .—This problem involves studying not only the soil, but the 
shrubs, time of bloom, type of fruit and leaf, and working out 
