Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-22
Envelopes for seeds Made.

Envelopes TO hold tho seeds were now
in order. Each hoy made his pattern
after standard size and construction
had been determined in open debate
These patterns were drawn accurately
and 10 scale. with the assistance OF
tho mechanical drawing department..
One dozen approved bags were made
by each boy. and one Of the boys
made nearly his whole dozen. one by
one. before he discovered that four or
Ave could be cut from the pattern al
once. provided the edges were pinned
or fastened so rs not to shift. This
item greatly delighted the son OF
famous efficiency engineer. who was
one Of the garden gang"
When the envelopes were hnished
the commercial department was re-
quested 10 typewri,e the following
legend on their backs. 10 serve as 4
guide TO the hoy in his planting:
This bag is for. seed
Name OF owner.
Distance between rows
No Of rows.
No, Of seed per inch or foot In row.
or
Length Of bed, in feet or inches.
Width of he'd. in feet or inches
No. OF seed per so. foot or 81. inch
No OF seed needed.
Standard weight (grmD. per
Weight OF seed needed.
This may all seem extravacantly de-
tailed. hut remember, this was not
merely gardening. II was arithmetic.
regulation lesson work, correlated with
other activities that intensified interest
In the purely mathematical problems
solved
Plans Drawn 20 Scale.
Referring again 10 the garden plans.
each man was drawn 10 scale. first IN
sketch. then in revised editions until
approved. Each hoy plotted ana laid
on, his ground in strict accord with
his nap and was allowed 10 begin
planting only after he had brought lis
plot up to the standard required
Then nc set his seal o. ownership
upon Il with stake made by himself
i'm the woodshop Of uniform pattern
with that Of his neiehhor. painted anu
lett"red with the boys name b.. the
school artist, +. w. whose work was
, in constant demand.
When the seeds had been riartcd
and the season of watchful waiting
began. the botany teacher told the boys
something OF the mystery of plant life,
from seed TO bud and fruit EXpedi-
lions to the gardens were frequent as
part OF class work, and there was
keen competition AS to who should first
note the breaking Of ground by the
young green sprouts
There was n fine feeling Of friend
iiness about all this. The boys had
worked hard. individually and to-
sether. The gardens were a miniature
democracy.
Here worked the son OF the vice
president OF one OF Americas great
harvester companies. Alongside him
digged Montoc Igorrote boy from
the PhiliDDines--a boy who insisted
on planting trees at each corner OF
HIS garden. because he loved trees
copper-coiored. black-eyed bov
from Colombia fraternized with pale.
yellow -haired young lad who needed
Just such training as the sunshine gave
him. and such hardening of muscle as
came with the welding OF the rake
and hoe.
Before long the boys were wedding
proud OF their carth-caked hands and
the brown on the knees Of their trous-
ers. The seeds had sprouted and must
he tended with care for the boys had
their eyes on the harvest
Jingle of Real Coin.
Pulling up onions. picking peas feel
inG the ripenins ears OF the corn to
test than II ready for market-ano
then the cherry Jingle Of real, hard coin
deep down In their very own pockets
this was the happy harvest.
For the school bought what the bows
had to sell at regular market prices
even TO the candytuft and carnations
that tho hower-minded lads had grown
In sections OF their land devoted to
the cultivation Of beauty.
Such was the tangible harvest, hut
who needs be told OF the far richer
reward 10 boy body and mind and
spirit that came through that season
| Of labor?