Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-23
BOY GARDENERS ARE
HAVING BIG SUCCESS
At Dayton, O., Boys Are
Taught How to Till the
Ground and Make 1t Pay

A unique institution called the boy
cd by National Cash Register company,
at Dayton. Ohio. There is a large plot OF
ground in the suburbs of Dayton divided
of into patches OF 10 by 100 feet Each
patch belongs to one boy while he is q
member of the Boy Gardeners, and for
two years he works at his crops in COM
petition with all the other boys, not only
learning the great secrets of the earth's
production and the art OF soil cultiva-
ton. but also gaining health and vigor
from the work in the open air and pro-
ducing vegetables for the home table
which materially decrease the expenses
of the family.
The results have been really remark
able. The moral standard of the youth OF
Dayton has been greatly raised, the boys
take a keen interest in the work and
reach high degree of skill IN welding
the hoe and nourishing the plants, and
when they have graduated" their inter-
est continues, thus contributing to the
life and happiness of the entire com
munity.
The following extracts from the rules
of the gardens show the spirit that pre-
walls:
1. Inc morning hours of work are from
$50 to 1880, and the evening hours from
to 5:15. II any boy wishes to work over
time, he must stop when the rest do, re-
port to the head gardener, and get per-
mission to continue.
2 Be prompt
g. Every boy must stay in his own gar
den.
5. The use Of bad language is strictly
forbidden.
8. Bows must see that their shoes are
clean before entering the garden house.
T. Be polite and courteous TO strangers
who visit the gardens and give them any
information you can about the work
Prizes totaIing 500 are given each
wear to the boys having the best gar
dens. Decision is based on i've points;
value OF the things raised, 80 per cent;
condition garden and tools, 20 per
cent: regular attendance. 20 per cent.
department, 20 per cent; condition OF
books. 10 per cent.
Nv means of this garden work the
great American spirit of competition Is
developed to q great extent among the
BOYS ana they are better fitted 70 take
on the burdens of life. This Is an ex-
ample of the public-spiritedness OF
great corporation that's trying to 90 It's
full share in the service OF the country.
What the boys themselves think about
which is typical Of many expressions
the boys have made:
The Boys Garden Company.
Dear Sirs: During the course OF two
years training in the boys gardens. l
was taught enough in the line OF gar
dening to be of great help to me all OF
my life This work included the know
ledge of planting and raising vegetables
and in keeping the garden clean and
free from all foreign matter,
NY parents did not have to grow any
thing in the way of vegetables for two
years They also put up about nifty
cans of red beets.
We raised lettuce, cabbage, corn, can
taloupes, watermelons. beans. beets,
peas, celery, tomatoes, squash, egg
plant, radishes. potatoes, onions, pars-
ley and caulifower. These vegetables
were grown on the N. c. r. Co.'S ground
the company paying for all seeds and
implements. This was given TO all the
boys free of charge.
In my course of two years insruc-
t1ons, was taught to be generous.
kind. obedient, and above all things,
truthful to everybody.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM BRADFORD.