The Washington times., 1914-11-15

the buildings. This institution &C.
modates one thousand pupils. In ad-
dition to the three acres of farm
land. there Is 120-foot greenhouse
for the use of the pupils during the
winter. The boys in that school also
have been given charge Of an orchard
of B50 trees.
State Experiment Stations.
The West Technical pupils do their
work in conjunction with the State
experiment stations, taking advan-
tage of the aid the experts can give
them in the selection of seed and
plants. 1 am also told that horti-
culturists around Cleveland have in
terested themselves in the work to
the extent that some Of them have
offered their greenhouses to the
students as laboratories.
The course in Agriculture offered
by the West Technical School, as l
understand it, in the first year deals
largely with the plant.
The structure of the plant is con-
sidered in relation to it's life habits
and its adaptation to its environ
ment are thus brought out. Its Or
gans are studied in relation to the
work which they are designed to ac-
complsh. The laws of reproduction
are carefully studied and the plant
character transmitting powers are
tested in the greenhouse and gar
den. Plant diseases and the control
and elimination of such diseases re-
ceive much attention. Finally the
selection of seeds and plants and
the rules for such selections form
an important part Of the years
work
Throughout the year the boys have
more or less work in the garden,
greenhouse. or orchard. During the
second year the boys senior year
in the SCHOOL,, the following topics
are considered:
The food elements essential to
plant life and the purpose Of the
most important elements.
The sources from which the plant
gains such food elements.
The maintenance of soil fertility.
The effect of the rotation Of crops.
The control of moisture in the soil
and value of cultivation.
general study of the growing of
some of the important farm crops.
An intensive study Of the growing
of vegetables.
Farm management and account
ing.
Systems and methods Of marketing.
The farm home.
Propagation of Plants.
Throughout the second year the
boys spend considerable time in pro-
pagation and growing plants under
widely varying conditions. The re-
suits from all such work are tabu-
lated, and conclusions formulated.
Thus. for example. twelve varieties
OF tomatoes, seven varieties Of peas,
three varieties of corn, and three Of
potatoes were grown during the part
of summer. In small measure ex-
per1ments were carried on in the
growing Of lima beans, field corn,
parsley, rhubarb. caulifiower, cab
bage, cucumbers. melons, swiss
nips, string beans, egg plants, pep
pers. kale. endive. satisfy, and as
paragus. The growing of grapes and
Strawberries, and such hardy flow-
ers as aspadistra, Towering maple,
geraniums, coleus, ferns, palms. rub
Der trees, begonia, and the various
bulb plants is now being taken UP.
The regular work of the year in
cludes the care of an orchard of 150
trees in West Park. This orchard
includes apples, plums, peaches, and
cherries.
In discussing the inquiry which he is
making concerning the advantages Of
the new Eastern High
chool as a group Of buildings, DR..
mall declares that the plan appeals to
i'm principally because the problems Of
ght and ventilation can be solved more
asily if the laboratories are housed in
ne building. the academic class rooms
4 another, the shops in a third, and the
eating plant in fourth. The handling
( classes, he also believes, might be
implified.
Among the cities which have adopted
he group" plan for high schools are
hose in Hollywood, a suburb of Los
lngeles, and that of the Joliet town
hip, in Illinois.