The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-15
IT IS A HOBBY
Realty Men Would Enlist 1000
Young Farmers.
Want Every Foot Of Vacant
Ground Cultivated.
AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS
Gardening May Be Become Re-
quired Study in Schools.
Some Big Land Deals Are Re-
ported This Week.

"A movement has been started to-
wards making gardening a regular re-
quired feature in the city schools.
While II. B. Wilson, superintendent OF
city schools, has expressed himself as
being decidedly pleased with the eff
Dealers association has made in the
way Of providing prizes for the home
garden plan that has been in opera
ton for two seasons under the direc-
agriculture at the high school. he has
not stated positively that such an in
novation will be established in the
schools.
In case nature study in the form Of
gardening is required there will be
approximately seven thousand young
farmers in the city of Topeka and all
unsightly trash and weed covered va
cant spots in the city will become at
tractive enclosures.
Reduce Cost of Living.
If each child in the course Of the
season would raise vegetables valued
at $25, this would mean a total crop
value of $175,OO0, and would go far
towards reducing the cost of living.
Many children in the contests the last
two years have made much more than
$25 from the sale of vegetables.
The Topeka Real Estate Dealers
association not only turned over $50
in gold recently to c. H. Wilmington,
SuPeTNlSOT 1OI tH0 HOIl0 6dTueH pan,
but has agreed to raise an additional
500 before next September to be used
in prizes for the pupils of the city
schools who prove themselves to be
best farmers on a miniature scale.
A committee Of the association,
Cottrell and w. A. Neiswanger. has
been appointed by c. B. Wingett, the
president. to collect this money.
Prize Money i'm Sight.
Mr.. Wilmington now has on hand
$132.18, which will be a portion Of
age thousands Of boys and girls to till
the soil of Topeka vacant lots and
back yards next season. The CARING
house Realty company, which offered
a special prize of 500 this year for
the best gardens 25x50 feet in size,
will have a substantial donation for
the cause this year, and according to
s. c. Cobb, the Bank of Topeka will
make a contribution. This year the
Women's Commercial club took an in
this organization will fall in line again
next spring. The Topeka Commercial
club contributed literally this year
In connection with the movement
school children for the essays on the
best methods of identifying home sur
roundings.
An Experiment Farm.
The Topeka Real Estate Dealers
association has gone into the garden
plan SO deeply that 1t is looking into
the question of procuring a piece Of
ground on which students at the high
school may do experimental work in
agriculture. The committee is COM
posed of the following members: c.
J. r. Smith, ]. E. Torrington, w. J.
Richenbacher, and N. Coover.
Superintendent Wilson is of the
opinion that gardening not only de-
velops the child physically, but gives
him practical knowledge that every
boy and girl should have.
And 1t should be mentioned that
the parents of the children think the
plan Is a great one for it gives the
youngsters an opportunity to work
and to make some money through the
sale Of produce and still does not con-
flict with the child labor law It