New-York tribune., 1908-06-28

brfckbats and Tin cans and was used by the neigh
borhood a dumping place for old mattresses ard
other discarded household gear. The land was
purchased for a park. but before The ground wc5
pr1t into condition Mrs Henry Parsons thought of
using part Of it for Childreu-s school farm The
rubbish cleared Off and top soil put IN and
from the beginning more children asked for plcts
than could be accommodated. A little house
the grounds was used for model kitchen and
living room. where girls and boys ZOO. learned 10
cook and keep house
They even scrubbed floors with delight The plan
soon won the approval Of the municipality. which
appTopriates $500 year for keeping ID this
work This appropriation. it found. provides the
necessary gardening instructors. VINO train Loo
children In two groups each season Many OF the
gardeners also bring brothers and sisters with
them. so that at least $50 children are benented
CHILDREN SELL PRODUCE
In addition. thirty public schools send their
classes here for nature study, and the Teachers
Training School makes observation work in the
garden part of its course for graduation In al.
including adults. six thousand parsons enjoy
the garden annually. The success OF the plan has
led the opening of two other large gardens b.
the Board Of Education. And OF it has grown
the International Childreu's School Farm L<asues
which is pledged 10 encourages the establishment
OF school farms in other cities. with the idea Of
rendering vacant lots Of direct benefit to the chill
dren.
This movement has met with immediate RESPONSE
IN
jamestown spread the idea widely IN the South.
and many other cities now have. soon will
have, similar farms. In some localities. the gar
dens. in addition 70 teaching elementary azricult-
uraI science. most fsvorabIy regarded because
The products of the little plots welcomed
food their homes. for the little farmers al
lowed to take home their vegetables 70 sell
them In big city fresh vegetables find ready
sale. Where the children sell the instructors
careful 10 see that they know the real value OF
,-4 IL
produce worth . II is found. too. that tho
garden experience makes wise unarketers out OF
the children who learn much about vegetables
that the greengrocer finds ft impossible to palm
OF stale goods little customers.
Only one thing so far. has impeded the gen
eraI spread OF leagues idea. according 10 its
officers This is dearth OF properly equipped
teachers. for il is found that while the practical
gardener can show children how 20 make things
grow. he is unable to tell them reasons why they
do or Go not grow Unless the garden plot also
teaches the child about the wonders Of nature
and through plant analogy gives II concrsts Illus
tration Of the Importance OF plenty OF fresh air
and sunlight himself II loses its greatest effect
The gardens not provided merely TO enable
children to raise things which they eat
IN farming districts the garden also must give
the child elementary training in scientific farm
ing methods, which later. IL he takes I'D sgrfcult-
ure will lead him employ scientific instead
OF raising things in a haphaxard way. Such work
requires the services OF a teacher who combines
practical gardening ability with pedagogical ability
and wide knowledge OF elementary science and
nature study.
The league. 10 meet this demand for teachers.
has agreed TO finance a special normal course in
children's gardening in connection with the gen
eral pedagogical department. OF the New York Uni
versity Summer School
The university has obtained for the xardenins
class the OF large garden adjoining the
campus University Heights. and viii devote
a building 10 the indoor Casswork Under the
leadership OF Henry Griscom Parsons. secretary
of the eague the students will receive practical
instruction tn planning and managing gardens
aud in the making of such apparatus 10 sced
FOR classroom demonstrations