New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-14
SCHOOL T'ILLS SOIL.
GARDENS IN ITS YARD.
East Side Pupils Delighted 7c'fh
TegetabIe Classmates.

The Two thousand East Side children who attend
Public School 81 at No JOS Broome street, are be-
ing taught 10 raise flowers and vegetables IN TWO
gardens especially made for them in the rear yard
~ their school The teachers say this Is the only
school which has established practical agricultural
and horticultural classes
The vegetables are being raised by the boys, while
the girls look after the flowers. The gardens are
about 90 feet square. The flowers are almost IN
full bloom while the vegetables are just beginning
20 sprout Potatoes. corn, beets and carrots Will
soon be plentiful enough to allow the boys to take
home fresh vegetables every day.
The plan was adopted by Edwin I. Goldwasser
the principal of the school. who obtained special
rerTnission from William II. Maxwell Superin-
tendent Of Schools 10 have the asphalt removed
from the rear yard that the gardens could be
made Mr. Goldwasser said that ne had received
n letter from Miss Richmond. the district supern-
fendent in which she said complaints were con-
stantly being made that children throughout the
city had been destroying flowers in public parks
and elsewhere. The Board of Education has in
Etructed the district superintendent to see that
the teachers explain TO the younger children Inc
value OF flowers and vegetables and how to treat
them when they visit the parks The creation OF
these gardens is Nj Goldwasser's attempt 10 solve
this problem
There are thousands OF children living in the
city" said Mr.. Goldwasser yesterday. who have
never been in q park. and when they go there Tor
the first time and see the beautiful flowers they
imagine they in paradise. They roll on the
grass and tramp on tie flower beds, not realizing
what they doing.
we have nearly four hundred children alone
who, I know positively, have never been away
from their homes to enjoy the pleasures which
other children have who romp in the parks every
day. They live in tenements and play in the hot
streets, with TO shade them from the sun
Although these gardens are not very large, the
children take great interest in them, as II they
were n large park. Even after school hours it is
hard 10 drive them away from the gardens. They
are allowed to plant and transplant flowers and
vegetables certain days in the week The re-
suit is that many Of the older boys have expressed
: strong desire to become farmers
Miss Jessie Zieger. who has charge OF the garden
classes assisted by the Misses Hess, BrOphy and
Donovan, sees TO it that the gardens are properly
cared for. The scholars who are taking 4 course
in botany" said Miss Ziegler yesterday, are not
only studying from their books, but have plants IN
from nature.
1T is treat TO the little youngsters so happy
when the hour arrives for them TO visit the gar
dens. We have arranged il 50 that each class has
day. The children watch the progress Of the grow
ing plants with eagerness. Among the various
flowers the garden the heliOtropC, the climb
ing scarlet. fGchdS cO!e1S and gcTaniu0lS.
THE boys raise their different kinds of veSe-
tables Ike experienced farmers. Gravel paths run
through the gardens, so II is easy for the children
get at their plants without stepping IN between
them
terested in this innovation, has furnished the SOL
and necessary implements, such as hoes, rakes and
spades 1t expected that he viii visit the sch0o
soon what progress the children have made
hand in the new enterprise and has furnished
gravel and fertilizer.