The sun., 1909-05-02
OTrY FOLKs no PLANT. +
n. G., Parssas to Instruct Cssss 1t New
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|. All thlnss como tp Esw York. a iats
arrival isA plsnting shew p BE- conducted
early h, May by Hsnry 0ffsopm Psfsons
in the shadow Of the New York Unfvsr-
sity within q stone,S throw of the Han
Of Fame. It'is the surroundings which
lend piquancy to what win b the hrst
object lesson In the elementary. prAoti.
cal features Of gardening ever given in
Now York In q real garden out Of doors
to adults willing to pay moderate fee Tor
the privilege.
When Mr.. Parsons. who is at the bead
OF the Department OF Childrens' Gardens
for the benefit OF teachers which was
started az part OF the New York Uni
versitys summer school three years ago.
decided to send out tentative circulars
to teachers and others respecting the
May planting lesson. he took the precau-
ton to insert the clause that IL enough per-
sons did not register by May u the money
paid by those who had registered would
be returned. A week later 1t became
evident that II would not be necessary
to send back any money and that the
audience in the pictures que and very
complete model garden Of the university
on the date set for the lesson will be large
enoug "a to plant every plot In the enclosure,
two or moro planters to plot In some
respects Mr.. Parsons's Lesson will be In
line with that given In the spring and again
In midsummer at the Children's Farm
De Witt Clinton Park In Eleventh avenue,
the chief difference being that It IL more
comprehensive, including, a. 1t will. a
practical talk on soil preparation, spading.
planting and spreading Of manure. In
fact, the leeson will be as comprehensive
as il possible in two hours time. The
class will not be asked TO prepare the soil
or spread manure. but as the teacher
talks workmen win show ho@ Il is done.
With the planting 1t IL different
Pupils will take q try at this for them
selves after watching and listening to
Mr.. Parsons who. at the start will take
up his place at the centre OF \ large plot
on a sli Eht elevation where his every move
may be watched a. he goes to work to
plant seeds OF seven different vegetables
giving meanwhile a running commentary
on their habits and the sort Of care the
plot needs. This done. the class will
have the privilege Of taking Oh It's gloves
an d following Mr.. Parsons's example
each working in q bit Of ground tagged
to correspond with the number on his
or her entrance ticket. Necessarily this
task w,ll be done a. quickly ss possible,
the pupils taking perhaps as long again
an the tea cher, or forty minutee. One
Of the vegetables planted will DO radishes.
the easiest Of all to grow and the quickest
to mature, and when tho radishes are
nearing maturity. word will be sent
to the planters. who II they care TO take
the trip will have the privilege OF Visiting
the garden and picking something OF
their very own planting.
The lesson will begin at 4:lb on the day
fred and last two hours and should the
weather be unfavorable II will be post
poned until the first fine day. -
A good many women who are not school
teachers will take the lesson. some of
whom have a strip OF back garden or a
window box only on which to exercise
their farming instinct.
One woman told Mr.. Parsons that she
did not expect to have even a window
box. that she was joining the class merely
for the pleasure OF planting som ethine
in a real garden under conditions bodnd
The innovation. IL the first lesson is
successful, will probably turn out to be
n permanent feature OF the New York
JJniyersity's curriculum, Introductory to
the summer course OF the Department
of Children's Gardens.