The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-07-27
HOMETOWN.
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SCHOOL GARDENS OF LONDON
Attempts to Grow Plants In sIums Of
Metropolis Elicit Praise Of
American Expert.

A very interesting report on Eng
lish school gardens has recently been
issued by the United States depart
ment OF agricultural as bulletin zoe.
II was written by Miss Susan b. Sipe.
collaboration Of the bureau OF plant
industry and teacher OF botany and
nature study In one OF the normal
schools In the city OF Washington.
This report Is based upon investiea-
tons made by the author during Eu-
ropean trip. The local reader cannot
but wish that some of the unfortunate
children mentioned could be brought
TO California, whore there 10 at last
small plat Of earth for every child
In the state. Il Is stated regarding a
school in whitechapel CLondon)
where no unoccupied ground sur
rounds: Each pupil has a small
space assigned to her In the roof gar.
den. boxes. scarcely more than n foot
square. but even so. more than she has
at home"
Tho writer regrets that lack OF
space forbids the reproduction or
much OF value and interest to be found
In this report. but advises every one
entrusted with the teaching OF nature
study or school gardening to get this
most valuable bulletin. When we read
of the futile attempts TO grow plants
In the London slums one marveis that
our own school gardens. where man
and nature have both conspired to rem
der conditions unusually favorable.
are not overrun with n riotous pro
fusion OF leaf and blossom. On the
window stills In the hall were some in
teresting though pathetic attempts OF
the East Side children TO grow plants
ut home. The children were asked to
bring pots and soil from home 10 which
to plant seeds and bulbs The re-
Spouse proved the scarcity OF such
things In their homes. The teachers
then procured the material. Seeds
were given them and when vacation
came the plants were taken home to
be cared for In one pot were q half
dozen varieties OF weeds. the original
plant having been choked out OF exis-
tence. but the child-owner Of the pot
though them so beautiful Stunted
and sickly merigolds and nasturtiums
gave ample proof Of the blighting ef-
feet of London smoke
Notwithstanding the hard conditions
under which they labor this school
gardening Is on q much broader.
grander and more comprehensive
scale than anything we attempt. No
doubt there is far greater need OF II.
An exhibition was held in July In one
OF ne whitechapel districts and there
were collections OF wild flowers from
two country schools: paintings Of wild
flowers and nature studies by many
OF the schools in London: collections
OF flowers and shrubs suitable for
growing In London parks and gar
dens: n model back yard and garden
on reduced scale. showing what
might be done In an ordinary London
back yard at little expense: n model
recreation ground 20 feet square. con-
structed to illustrate the many health
giving opportunities which might be
introduced into public Fairgrounds
under good management and good
planning. and mrny other valuable
features. II In said tho exhibit was
visited by 10000 people. rs schools
sent In exhibitions. and altogether II
was a great affair.