Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-14

A BOSTON doctor, while on a visit
~ to Washington recently, is report
ed to have said in effect that for
men employed during the day in office
work physical exercise was bad This
appears to be another one of the many
questions upon which doctors differ. But
1t will be found that the opinion Of the
ma jority among those who have tried it
is that some form of physical exercise
has distinctly beneficial influence upon
the health and therefore upon the mental
powers of brain workers. OF course,
harm comes from the abuse, not the use
Of anything, and If a man suddenly I'M
dertook violent and prolonged muscular
exertion he would naturally receive more
harm than good. but when ordinary COM
mon sense is used with 1t. nothing but
good would result. 1t is needless to men
ton the many methods of recreation In
the open air which require a greater or
less amount of muscular effort, but, TAX
ing it all round, it will be difficult to
find one which produces so many varied
benefits as gardening.
In this connection the following extract
from a letter WTlItcH ny oAc VI ~''> FN-N
winners in last years contest which was
carried out by the Peoples GARDENS OIL
Washington, is to the point:
THE plans of the planting. which were
designed by myself, were designed, among
other things, to give the physical eXer-
else necessary to offset the long hours
of office work. The actual physlcal lapof
of making the various paintings, prepar-
III, ntO
beneficial that I can heartily recommend
It to others as the best method or eacn
day making over the man who Is working
in an office and preparing MN LOT the
demands OF the following day
In addition to the benefits mentioned oy
the above writer. there is the esthetic
influence of beautiful home surroundings,
which is of itself valuable asset: III
this way is brought about one or the pest
things which gardening does TOT man,
that of anchoring him to his home, to
that one spot upon the eartn surface
which he calls his own, and to Whlch ne
can impart some portion OF MS own III
dividuality The effect is always elevat-
ing it turns the current of his thoughLs
into new channels, provides him with
amusement for his leisure hours, anu
while giving occasion for healthfui exer-
cise stimulates wholesome thought. mere
is also that quality in it as an amuse-
ment which appeals to the simplest as
well as to the more comprehensive minds.
1t is this which shows that II Is human
to love a garden. to find comfort IN
watching the growth of trees and plants,
and waiting for their blossom and frult.
taste for gardening is one OF the most
elemental impulses of humanity, although
there are individuals who do not possess
1T, but, generally speaking, the desire 10
have piece Of ground to cultivate comes
naturally to man at some time in the
course of his life.
There may be many reasons why more
do not crafty this desire, but perhaps
the principal one is that they feel a want
of knowledge as to the way or going
about it. This is the result of the faulty
system of education which has been pur-
sued by the managers Of primary schools,
who have practically refused 10 recognize
the inestiniable value of school gardens.
Strangely enough, the beneficial Influence
of gardens in connection with education
has only been officially recognized in
practical manner, so far as children are
concerned, in connection with reform
schools, the managers of which have to
deal with the more vicious and derraved
class OF children. In these schools the
least promising portion Of the community
are dealt with, but the results are ex-
traordinary.
In England the principals OF these
schools report that while boys devote only
half the time to actual indoor study as
those attending the ordinary primary
schools yet the boys in the reform schools
pass through the grades very much quick
er. and. besides. the foundation of sound
mind in Q sound body is at the same time