New-York tribune., 1902-10-01
SCHOOL WINDOW GARDENS
WINTER INSPIRATION To YOUNGSTERS
QUAINT STORIES OF THEIR
EFFORTS.

Tho tentative decision Of tho Agricultural De
rartment 20 distribute seeds and bulbs among the
public school children the cities has been hailed
with enthusiasm by pupils and teachers alike
throughout this city. Window gardening IN tho
schools has heeE extensively carried on FOR some
time and with such good results that m many
cases the Board u Education has come 20 the
assistance ~ the work with the small funds neces-
tary. and occasionally, upon application the State
Agricultural Rlresu has contributed supplies
The teachers 81 course. have taken the initiative
IN every instance but enthusiastic assistance has
al once been given by every child, and the class
room window boxes sources ~ winter long in
spirnuon and delight. The keeping ~ even the
hardest plants. however, during the coldest
weather Is a more or less precarious undertaking
a. the fires are allowed 10 go out al the end or
the week. and Monday morning sometimes hnds
ONLY the frosthitten remains ~ lately fourishng
flower. and this despite the fact that they are
always carefully set away from the windows into
the middle of the room when school closes on
Friday. and often the care Of the Jauitor is en-
listed hesdes.
Sometimes. too. the Trailer plants haze beSn In
trusted 10 the of pupils over the week end
holiday hut this has proved of doubtful value as
method ~ securing higher or more even tempera-
ture, and on the whole h has been found more
practicable keep only the hardest sOrts-ferns,
rubber plants and evergreen shrubs.
CLASSES VIE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
This Is for the winter months. AS soon the
sprins begins 10 break however, Towering plants
and seeds are procured and then IL Is that the
keeuest interest is manifested Sometimes win
Gov box is planted with several different kinds OF
seeds and a diagram drawn ~ the garden plot
on the blackboard. Then the tinv green heads
~ the various sorts show themselves above the
earth their growth is indicated in the diagram,
Gay by day In this way the names and character
lstics of many varieties Of plants learned and
love ~ nature Is gradually inculcated. Glasses
viii We with another for the finest boxes. each
class taking window. often the teachers offer
prizes 10 be awarded on Arhor Memorial Day.
Where window boxes are most keeuly appre-
ciated Is might De expected. IN the schools
- the lower and more populous districts When
in one ~ these The primary pupils asked 10
bring seeds or plants or anything that would grow
Tor the spring window boxes. small boy tri-
umphautly produced pooketful 81 cold baked beans
he had surreptitiously saved from his MONDAY
meal another withered apple, a little girl trOt-
ted mp with a gorgeous paper rose and another
asked II a ROSTERS head would grow,
Tho call f0r supplies was only 20 test the average
understanding the subject Teachers make a
point never 90 rob the home FOR the benefit ~ the
classroom, but ou the contrary. all the school
flowers eventually find their way 20 the homes for
the summer holidays There is rarely enough left
OF them, 30 assicuously have they been wstered
aUd tended. 10 make 1t worth while 10 bring them
back 20 school again
PLANTS IL THE HOME.
The majority Of tho plants 80 often seon-from the
elevated roads for instance-on roofs. window sills
ano hrc escapes. are the result of public school
I-an'ng, as az the close OF the spring term an
enont IS made 20 provide each pupil with al least
one glad green growing thing" however small
IN many schools seeds distributed and the
pupils asked 20 contribute the earth and vessels
20 hoia them. Unique, indeed, are some of the eN-
pealents resorted 10 under these circumstances
!" hen empty tomato an6 corn cans are not avail
s"'e' broken sugar bowls, saucepans dtppers, etc
"A
Ger box was proudly displayed, only 10 be seized
epon ny an older sister IN the next class Who De
corse sroT1 w. aTS ,S =" S,I IN % ns,,1ens are
returned with their crown Of green and blossoms,
TIE rooms during the days exercises they are
SS15Spea, upon Their arrival with gay papers sns
anbons The prizes are solely Tor the SIZE ana
Nigor - the plant
Among the deni1ens Of some OF the lower I,sst
slae schools there Is certain religious holiday
occurring shortly before Arhor Day, which re-
ae pos ahs pans q esh 90 on m Sna rs escape
- some1mss shroNn Out WITH ne winter & oe9Ils &
consequent lamentatiOn IN Juvenile quarters is
lis plants 10 a nearby stable and onered his last
So pennies % the proprietor as rental for the week
u Was IN the rear of this same stable thar a
month or more previous he hao been Hooppea Tor
tgs of ths latter had been mistaken Tor dia bOoal
One day dimnutve specimen was overheard 10
Nlsh most heartily that her granomo would
she replied Cause when Nantes grsndmamms
.teo tneN hringen nONers. ana Mamie sNliitd some
20 plant That's en- pointing 10 thriving vine in
the window box.
6s osT n sEs ssb PS r ssa s@ Sns ad ma, S hsa ,
oNnef thereof learned the reason he good naturedly
1S9itlputed some Eerauium slips 10 me
nlcn the source Of these discovered by the
.tmainaer - the class there such a stampede
~ me shop during the next recess hour that n
kelloemans services Were m demand and the florist
oeeliN repented his small generosity.
TOMATOES FOR THEIR GRAVES
N some OF the uptown schools where Arbor Day
AoNers ano plants plentiful Grand Army Of
a.. republic representatives ssked 10 take
sn <fterwsT6 10 decorate the Srsyss. Some