The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-09
IA CHAT WITH MR. GEORGE G. WEATTIERSBEE,
 SUPERVISOR OF HOME AND SCHOOL GARDENS
By DOLLY DALRyMpLE

That Birmingham is going to be one of the beautiful cities of the south, there is not the slightest doubt.
 everybody who has an ounce of civic pride is lending every energy possible toward that end, and the remarkable diff ference that is discernible even now in the streets, the yards, the vacant lots and the nomely patches here and there about town, shows that the "City Beautiful, Idea has taken deep root and that good results are evident daily.
 The latest recruit to this particular line Of Birmingham s progress is the establish ment of the office of supervisor of home and school gardens.
 MT. George q. Weathersbee. a young man of fine character and splendid per sonality, has taken charge of this branch Of work and he is undoubtedly well ouali- fled for 1t, his wide experience and com plete Knowledge of such things ably fit- ting him to cope with the situation pre- sented by a young and growing city like Birmingham.
 MT. Weatherbee is a mere boy in ap- pearance, tall. slender alert and yet he has traveled far and wide and has learned well his trade, being a graduate of Clem- son university, South Carolina.
 MT. Weathersbee is very much encour- aged over the outlook here and in speak, ing of the plans that were being formu- lated for the future he said:
 T think Birmingham compares quite faVorably with many of the larger cities as far as the city beautiful idea is con cerned. Even New York is not ahead of Birmingham as far as beautiful lawns and streets are concerned. Columbia, S. C., which is my old home, is considered one of the most beautiful of all the old southern towns. and it does not exceed Birmingham's standing in the city beau tiful plan"
 Did you study this sort of work with the Idea of making a speciality of it?" l asked, when you were at cofege?"
 T meant to be a farmer" said MT Weathersbee, ''and l am one, in a way l have large farm in South Carolina and l am very proud of it. l perfected myself in agriculture when I was at college and five years ago went to the Philippines. in the employment of the government as su- pervisor of schools and school gardens l was sent to the southern part of the islands to Cagayan. Mindanao. The last two years l there l was with the bureau of agriculture demonstrator. Il went in the civil service with the bureau of education at first you understand, and afterward assumed the other position"
 'ls the city beautiful idea known and followed over in the Philippines?" I asked.
 "The Americans, of course have intro- duced the idea there," said MT. Weathers- bee, and while it has never taken any great hold, it is progressing. School gar dening, however. is far more advanced than in the states. Every primary school in the Philippines is required to have a garden and much more attention is paid to it than there is here with us.' What primarily is the greatest benefit in your work of the school garden?" I asked.
 Tt is of great educational value first of all,' said MT. Weathersbee. 'The child coming in contact with nature, it encour- ages an interest in agriculture and the desire to make beautiful surroundings end oftentimes greatly diverts the atten- tion to the farmers life and the great possibilities it holds out And landscape gardening, too, is instilled in the child s mind by the education he receives from