The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-05-02
Children's Gardens
nv n. ADDINGToN BRUCR
Author Of The Riddle OF Person
aiity." Psychology and
parenthOod" etc

~ NAhhNNAs FAAs
II YOU have any space TO grow
vegetables. and have decided this
year. as trust YOU have. 10 help
hght the high cost OF living by cul
uvating vegetable garden. let me
ofrer this suggestion
Give your children chance 90 do
patriotic work themselves by shar-
ing IN the gardening Better still.
set apart section OF your home
garden for the little ones 10 plant
and take care OF as their very own.
II will allow the children IN feel
that they too are serving their coun-
try And. aside from this important
effect In the strengthening ia them
OF the spirit OF true patriotism. Il
VIII be OF TREMENDOUS benefit 20
Them morally. mentally. and phys
ioally.
In my homo neighborhood. two
summers ago, there was started
community garden for children. The
main purpose was 70 keep the chill.
dren on the streets. and at the
same time provide them with pleas
ant occupation during the summer
holidays
Each child was given a little gar
den plot Prizes were offered for
the neatest garden. the most pro
ductiye garden. etc. The children
themselves entered into the pro-
iect with unexpected enthusiasm.
All summer the children's garden
was a scene OF pleasing activity
And when results, were reckoned az
the end OF the summer. certain In
ieresung discoveries were made.
Il was found that the children
were healthier than az the summers
beginning II was found that they
had developed moro initiative. self
respect. and sense Of responsibility.
And not only had many OF them
acquired real skill Ne gardeners. but
| almost all OF them showed greater
mental Alertness.
When school reopened hey eager
ly and briskly attacked their les
sons. Formerly. after every long
vacation. they had gone thru a pre-
liminAry period OF lethargy and mat.
tenton before settling down 10
work
Clearly the community garden, by
keeping the children In the habit
OF thinking 20 good purpose. had
prevented the formation Of those
habits OF mental Incidence which
have caused some educators 70 wish
the summer holidays might DO Abol-
ished or much shortened.
The results Of this experiment II.
dictate that similar community gar,
dens for children might advantage
ously be established on vacant
lots IN all cities. They further In
dictate that IN every home where
there Is a private garden. the chill
dren Of the family should be en-
couraged 20 take hand In the gar
dening
THIS year particularly chIldren's
gardens should become widespread
reality They can be made sources
OF genuine pleasure for the children.
as well as factors that count In the
solving OF the serious problem Of
wartime food production
on course. there must be no over
working OF the children. They must
not be deprived OF opportunity 10
romp and play. But some OF their
play time every day they could
prohtAbly spend. and should spend.
gardening.
Think this over. n ron are a par
ent. Talk % your children about a.
Tactfully create in them a desire for
gardening. II such desire Is not -
ready present Learn about garden
ing yourself, IN order that there
may be no wasted effort
Then set 20 work. with your chill
dren, 10 SOW and weed and cultivate.