The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-04
The PIERCE YARD
RESEMBLES PARK
D. w. GETCHELL SPARED NO EF-
FORT TO ENCOURAGE PLANTS.
When Plants Died Their Places Were.
Taken by Those from Mr.. Getchell s
Home Garden-Children Failed to
Keep Promises, but Garden with
Grains and Vegetables Did Not Suf-

A matter of pride to the neighbor-
hood, matter Of pride and attention
on the part Of the principal, a matter
the pupils, matter Of the best of care
and most warrantable pride on the
part Of the janitor, the lawn, flower
beds and now the large garden, which |
belong to Pierce school, are deserving
Of wide notice and highest commenda-
ton. Scarcely in any other school
ground in the city are there the same
evidences of an attempt at esthetic
life.
In the spring time while school was
still in session, MIS- p; M. y; La kpe,
supplemented by D. w. Getchell, JAM
tor, began to take steps to make the
ground of the school pleasure and
delight to the children. Along the
eastern side Of the building a large
nasturtium bed was planted which is
now riot of nasturtium shades. The
bed is about two feet wide and extends
almost the length of the building,
where there is a large pansy bed. In
the yard are two large beds, one of
which was set out to cannas, which
ing the winter. The cannas, however,
failed to respond to the careful treat
ment and only few of them grew,
but Mr. Getchell brought many pc
tunias from his own garden to brighten
the spot. In the other garden, rock
garden, Mr.. Getchell has placed many
pinks from his garden in the deserted
tiers. Besides these beds there are
nasturtiums along the fence, and Cali
fornia peoples about the trees, and
many lilac bushes which as yet are
shrubs, among them mountain ash
and hydrangea, making the school-yard
rather resemble a park. One corner,
too, has been given over to petunias,
Of the sweet single variety so much
priced by our grandmothers, with a
protecting border of hollyhocks which
will bloom next year.
On the opposite side Of the building,
where Mr.. Getchell has a nice lawn
stump which was surmounted with a
tub at the request of one Of the little
girls, and around it bloom nasturtiums
Here also have been planted a NUM-
Der of late-blooming flowers. A pretty
hanging basket brightens the doorway
Of the building and beneath, at one
side, grows pretty climbing rose. The
lawn is wonderfully green and wei
kept. .:
/ 1He unique IedCuie dpouI tue ScuoO
is the garden, which occupies about 81
by 100 feet in a vacant lot adjoining
It is all fenced in and at the entrance
some Of the boys in the school have
erected rustic arbor, soon to be GOV
erned with the morning glory vines
In the garden are many grains, vege
tables and flowers, which will furnish
next year as we'll as for the drawing
!, classes. At the close Of last term fou
} boys and four girls were appointed
, from the A and B rooms to look afte
the garden during the ssmmer. TIL
children started with the best of in
tentions, but their. enthusiasm ] 500
i waned. The girls have proved NOR
!; faithful than the boys, but now onl
:. two are left, so the principal care ha
= come. to Mr.. Getchell.
: Of the grains, oats, wheat and fla
e all find place in this garden. Rice wa
y planted, but Minnesota sun could nc
+ induce the little plants to appear abov
the surface Sweet corn, beans, pot;
n toes are all doing we'll, and some r.
markedly fine specimens of sugar beet
r are also growing, There are black
1t berry. and currant bushes also. A nun
Der Of rose bushes find room, flags an
: There are eight fourishing pean,
9 plants in the garden also, and man
l; children have already learned fro
G looking at them that peanuts are t
bers. With such variety each chill
x is bound to find something to intere
'e him. Mrs. La Rue found this the be-
J. way to stimulate interest in natu
study before she planned the big ga
e den. Tho there have been other a
N tempts at garden, this is the fir
year that the pupils and janitor ha,
supported the principal il her plan
=, In community where most Of Il
III children are entirely unfamiliar wi
er growing grains and vegetables, such
er garden is of the greatest value.