Evening star., 1916-04-23
CHILDREN HELPING
BEAUT|FY CAPITAL
Their Work Has Support of
Peoples Gardens Associa-
ton of District.
FLOWERS IN ABUNDANCE .
AND VEGETABLES GROWN
Aid Asked for Plan Which Benefits
Children While 1mprov-
ing City.

Washington will be occupied in the near
future in beautifying Washington as
whole through the interest they evince
in their own home gardens this spring,
according to a statement made yester-
day by one in charge Of the work Of di-
recting the efforts of the youthful garden
ers IT was explained that the work.
which last year resulted in the consump-
ton of 10000 packages Of seeds by the
youngsters, has attracted large numbers
of new recruits this year. And every ef-
fort will be strained, it is said, to hold
the interest of all at present engaged in
the work of making the most of the
great possibilities of Washington as a
garden CITY,"
The work is under the general di-
rection of Miss Susan B. Sipe. This
work is encouraged and supported by
the Peoples Gardens Association of the
District of which Miss Sipe is secre-
tary. This organization, working on
the theory that much can be accom-
plished toward beautifyipg Washing
ton by instilling a desire for this end
in the rising generation. has lately
concerned itself principally with pro-
noting this interest among children.
The methods, aims and past accom-
plishments of the youthful gardeners
were yesterday described by Miss Sipe
to a reporter for The Star. and a series
of unusual photographs illustrating
the work is to be found in the plano
sravure section of todays issue.
Direct Benefit to Children.
Beyond the purpose already men
toned of promoting a desire for
beautiful city, other aims of those in
Miss Sipe. BY means of this work of
the children it is claimed that the
homes are bound much closer 10 the
schools: that the children, learning the
value of accomplishment, come to an
appreciation of the inherent dignity OF
labor; that youthful tendencies toward
vandalism are stamped out and a re-
spect +or the property of others 1ncui-
Gated, and that the children are kept
off the streets while engaged IN produc-
tive and ia scinatin work.
1t was about ten years ago, SAID MISS
Sipe, that the work was started one CT
the early IDEAS WAS to get the school
grounds improved on the theory that the
; more pleasing the surroundings the better
the influence upon the children. Since the
beginning of the work strenuous EFFORTS
have been made to get the children inter
ested in home gardens Plans are fur
nisned the children showing how an
average back yard may be laid out 10 the
best advantage, either IN vegetables or
flowers Seeds are sold III penny PACK
ages.
Teachers Ready to Help.
| While no direct supervision is exer-
cised over the many home gardens which
have resulted from this encouragement.
| the teachers in charge of the work are
| always ready to help the youthful gar
deners with their individual problems
| Both boys and girls take part In the
general work and rivalry is keen. The
representative of The Star was shown the
! flower beds at the Wilson Normal School.
each tended by different grade of school,
girls, and gay with the early spring flow
! ers Throughout the city the cultivation
| of flowers is largely carried on by girls.
| the boys being more interested in vege-
| tables.
Four community gardens for the chill
| dren are at present being operated. These
! are situated at the Wilson Normal School,
/ the Blow school, the Wallach school and
the Deanwood (colored) school. These
gardens are operated entirely by the boys.
Each boy works one hour a week and in
summer the children delight in keeping
| them up voluntarily. There are in
variably more applicants than plots.
Hospitals Get Flowers.
/ Whatever is raised by a boy becomes
his personal property-to be disposed of
as he sees fit. The plots average from
100 to 120 square feet. Radishes, beans
lettuce, beets. carrots, tomatoes, turnips
and large variety of flowers are raised
| successfully and in considerable quanti-
ties. The flowers are, for the most part,
| sent to the hospitals
! Through the funds furnished by the
Peoples Gardens Association this work
| is able to continue. The money Is ex-
pended for labor. fertilizer and small cash
| prizes offered to the children each year
| No other funds are available. And those
in charge. confident that the obvious
| benefits of the gardens will appeal to
Washingtonians who have not hitherto
had an opportunity to know of the work,
urge that funds to enable its continuance
| and expansion be sent William Bacon, 9O2
F street. treasurer of the association.
| Other officers are David B. Fairchild.
president. and F. B. Noyes, vice president
Beautiful Spring Flowers.