The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-27

| "The school garden idea is not a
| fad" declares DR.. c.. D. Jarvis, Of the
u. 8. bureau Of education. 1T is an
outward expression of an Unborn belief
| on the part Of hundreds of teachers
and educators throughout this and
other lands that children need some
kind Of active experience to V1talize
| their school studies. 1t is also an
expression on the part of thousands OF
parents of the belief that in order to
acquire habits Of industry and to ap-
preciate dignity of labor, boys and
girls at an early age should be en-
couraged to engage in some kind OF
wholesome employment. Furthermore,
the various welfare associations, the
International Child Welfare league in
particular, are embracing the garden
movement with the belief that through
lit thousands of boys and girls may De
saved from the evils attending cop-
tnement in the shops, the mills, and
the mines.
Reason for Former Failures.
in general, varying degree of
success has followed the efforts of in
dividual teachers and of the various
organizations. Too often, however,
extensive garden projects have been
undertaken without carefully pre-
arranged program, without any pro-
vision for instruction and supervision,
and without sufficient funds to prop
erly administer the enterprise. On
account of these and other causes
there have been some failures. These
failures, however, have served to
make us more cautious and have help
cd us to formulate plans for the future
development Of the work.
Although the school officials gener-
lilly appreciate the Importance of
gardening, they have been slow to take
t up as part of the school program.
They would like to see the work stand
ardized and definite program sub
'tituted for the chaotic mass of re-
The lack of well
organized examples of garden activ
ties has probably been the retarding
actor"
Survey by Bureau of Education.
To satisfy the demand for some !
eflnite information, DR.. Jarvis points
tut, the U. S. bureau of education
ecently conducted survey of the
chool garden work throughout the
ountry. AS result of this survey a :
Ian for the introduction and promo
ion of garden work in the schools
as been made available to school q
fficials
THE plan is a simple one 1t is
n economical one. 1t does not in any !,
'ay interfere with the present school
rogram. 1t provides for intelligent
lstruction and thorough supervision.
. provides for the utilization of un-
sed land and labor for productivity
The children working I'M :
er this plan may contribute to the /.
1pport of the family, teaching them
lie fundamental principles of democ-
ICY and enabling them to rema,n
niger in school. Under this plan
10 the children are given an oppor- !
unity for an active experience TO :
italize school studies and an oppor. '
nifty for acquiring a knowledge nt !
n occupation that may become the
leans of a livelihood. The plan furth- {
r provides for a wholesome occupa ! /. '
on for boys and girls while out of
,hool and thus stimulates industry at !
lie receptive age and guards against !.
lie evils attending idleness. An al !
itioral result of the plan in operation
an improvement of home surround :
lgs-back yards are cleaned up and
lie home grounds ornamented with 2
lrubbery and flower borders. :
Reaches Every City School. |,
THE plan provides for a system OF
ONE gardening in each city graded 2
chool. The home garden has many q
dvantages over the so-called school =
f