The Colorado statesman., 1906-04-07
SCHOOL GARDENS
URGENTLY RECOMMENDED BY
STATE SUPERINTENDENT
THEIR EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Miss Craig Wants Gardens in connec-
tion With All Colorado Schools
TelIs How to Begin the Work.


Denver.-With a view of encourag-
ing the interest of the school children of
Colorado in gardening, Miss Katherine
l.. Craig, state superintendent of pub
lie instruction, has issued a letter to
school superintendents, principals and
teachers asking them to assist in this
movement. Miss Craig's letter fol-
lows:
Superintendent, Principals and
Teachers:
Il urgently request that you mani
fest an interest in, and lend helping
hand toward the establishing of gar
dens in connection with the public
schools of this state.
Plants are living things; they re-
quire what all living things need-air,
wster, food, protection. Like other
living things they die if neglected.
There is no surer way to touch the
fundamental principle of right living
than by garden. Incidentally, it
G-~>s responsibility, the best physical
exercise and the best manual training
all in the fresh air and sunlight
Children should be taught to realize
personal obligation. OF course, this
should not be beyond the daily strength
more than task of any kind, but
obligation they should feel.
Gardening as a subject to be taught
is science and as method it is the
most substantial and practical basis
for reading, writing, language work,
arithmetic and nature study.
ut presents a series of arithmetical
problems. Ordinary teaching of arith.
metic is in the abstract, but work
ing out the problem in the garden
brings it into the concrete. There is
the measurement of the land, the plot
ting, the calculating of time and Ia
Dor, the estimating of income, from
each hill, from row, from an acre.
The child is presented with living con-
ditions. and he becomes alive with in
terest because the problems deal with
the business of life.
School gardening is not an imposed
task, but an up-to-date educational
problem with which nearly every state
in the Union, and many foreign coun-
eign countries, are dealing.
1T has come to stay. 1t may meet
with reverses for season, but it is
an aesthetic, moral, intellectual and
vitalizing factor in education and, as
some one has said, Blessed be the gar
den with it's Influences
Il believe school gardening work
should continue throughout the school
year in regular courses. The lessons
during the winter and spring should
consist of practical work in making
straw hotbed mats, mixing soils, test
ing seeds, soil studies, potting and re-
potting, grating, spading, care. of
| lawns, walks, drives, etc.
"As soon as the gardens are planted
the principal weeds should be studied,
root, stem, leaf and, where possible,
flower and seed. The children should
be taught not only the name, but the
uses if there are any, and the best man
ner and time to kill it. They should
also be taught the history of our com
mon plants, evergreens, flowerless
plants, etc.
"The work should include frequent
talks on nature, written essays on gar
dening and outdoor trips to the parks
If this method of instruction was
closely adhered to the influence of the
garden on the children would be re-
markable.
Respectfully yours,
"KATHERINE L. CRAIG,
Superintendent of Public Instruction" p"