New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-06
Opportunity Offered to Stu
dents in Miss Wheeler's
School Affords Pleas
ure and Profit.
BY Walter Lincoln Colby.


Never in the history OF education has
there been a more remarkable and strik-
ingy distinctive feature introduced into
a girls school than Miss Wheeler's Farm
Annex. There have been schools located
in the country. where gardening and all
that pertains TO the farm have oeen
taught and practised in practical man
ner, in the Moody School at North
field and some Of the Southern colleges
where much prominence has been given
10 horticulture, but when this orancn
has been required there has often been
a Discrimination on the part Of girls to
manifest any special interest simply be-
cause this subj-c: seemed to be forced
upon them as an economic part OF the
school management; and. therefore.
spirit Of opposition was aroused 10
study which at first sight would seem to
have little attraction to a girl
With this in mind Miss Wheeler. whose
school for girls is located in the beautiful
residential part Of the city OF Providence,
conceived the ideae Of annexing to her
school seventy-fve-acre farm. some hVe
miles distant. within easy reach by auto
mobile, and here she has esta blished and
now conducts. as "A department Of her
school, the Farm Annex. where not only
gardening and horticulture. but also
household arts. including cooking. sewing
and weaving. are regularly taught ana
also practised one Of the unique feat
ures Of this department is the entertain
ing Of fellow students at week ends with
the results OF their own labors.
The Farm in Seekonk.
Nature never provided a more suitable
and adaptable environment to meet he
requirements Of Miss Wheelers concep-
ton than the farm which she appro.
priated for this purpose. Situated in the
little toRnship bearing the curious indian
name Seekonk just over the border
line from Rhode Island, in the southern
part OF Massachusetts. this estate COM
prises a series Of knobs. terraces and
woodlands. in close proximity 10 an un-
usually picturesque little river. In TINS
particular instance nature has served as
her own landscape gardener, and II was
purely from an artistic point Of view that
this location was selected.
For many years Miss Wheeler's school
has stood foremost in the rank OF recoG-
nized educational institutions, the stand
ard Of its preparatory work having earned
for it among the colleges an enVlaole
reputation. Most prominent. however
among the many interesting and special
features Of her school Miss Wheeler has
EMPHASIZED and given vent 10 her passion
for art.
Summer School in Normandy.
For many years she has annually con-
Quoted A summer school In Giverney' near
Vernon. Normandy, accompanied by Ten
or A dozen American girls. In connection
with her Normandy property she has al
WAYS made garden an interesting feat-
ure. and since this foreign school is con-
Quoted in the summer season she natu-
rally was able 10 giye more attention 20
the development OF the sarden. 30 IN
tense was her interest In this that she
has long felt that she must give 70 heT
American school the benehcent influence
which is derived from the study Of nature
And IL was because Of this desire tnat
she determined 10 establish a permanent
branch in connection with her providence
school. and this year she denied heTse1f
the Measure Of her vacation In Nor
mandy 70 give her own personal super
vision 10 the development OF the farm al
sAekonk and the construction OF green
houses and art studios.
Summer camps for girls have become
very popular. and no one can dispute the
inviRorating effects OF an outdoor lie
IN the beautiful summer weather. Miss
Wheeler. in conducting her summer
school in art. domestic science ana the
study Of farming in all It's branches mas
not only met the requirements OF the
camp life for girls. but. we oeleFe' mas
been able 70 maintain the refinement ana
culture OF manners requisite 70 an lded!
borne. while At the same time enjoying
the activities Of the outdoor He.
A Most Attractive Scene.
The commodious farm house, with It's
sleeping porches. up-to-date equipped Ia
boratories for domestic science with
snacious and charming homelike hVlns
room. presents an air Of peacefuiness ana
eniovrnent. while suggesting the cultlVa-
ton OF mind and body.
MANY Of the girls who attend this sum-
NOR recreation school are also pupils IN
the SC6OOl IN tTONlN'llt' ''''-'e
ter and are looking forward eagerly 70
,ba endowment they will receive by enter
Gaining their comrades with the fruit and
vegetables Of their own raising
In planning the work Of the farm an
rex Miss Wheeler has established
course OF study in horticulture. which VIII
no greatly enhanced because OF the green
houses which permit the student TO pur-
eue this study throughout the winter
months Each girl will be given her own
Mot. and the interest thus awakened VIII
hs likely 70 increase with the develop
nant Of the growth Of the flowers.
Many Still Life Models.
II will be seen that in consequence the
nvnils in the art department will be fur
nished with a great variety Of models.
The verdure Of spring. the profuseness OF
summer and the glorious colortng OF au-
tunn will all contribute TO the develop
ment of the artistic sense.
Among those who are interested in the
construction of the greenhouses and who
IN PRISON As MINUTES
Chauffeur Works Out Sentence