Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-20
OTTUMWA WILL
HAVE GARDENS
IN CULTIVATION

| >~AAA>AA SAs ~ SJ
to Be Coached in Ways
of Growing Plants
PRIZES TO BE GIVEN
FOR BEST PRODUCTS
Ottumwa sts to have . new study for
the children Of the schools this spring
and summer and the success Of the
venture will be watched with much In
terest. Gardening both an to flowers
and vegetables; the study Of agricul
ture and Horticulture and practical
demonstrations will be given In both
by some one who knows. The Com
mercial club stands behind the school
board In the movement and win en-
courage the youngsters by Offering
prizes for the best work done by those
participating.
F. P. Sipe, science teacher at the
high school Is garden man and will
find time aside from his classroom
work in forming clubs and classes in
gardening before the summer vacation
period. He will give the entire day to
the work when school is over for the
hot months. Mr.. Sipe is enthusiastic
for the success of the project in OF
tumwa and has visions of many pretty
homes made more attractive by nice
flower beds and nicely laid out lawns.
Clean yards and alleys. backyards, SO
often neglected are expected to be con-
)verted into miniature truck farms by
the planting of vegetables, vacant lots
that in times past have had to be car
ed for by the city's health department
In keeping down weeds, are expected
to be converted into pretty gardens
where numerous greer Rnceries s,gili i
be grown to cut down the n. C. of l..
but more especially to teach useful
habits to idle children and make use
Of idle land.
Fairs will be held for the purpose
of awarding prizes and getting the
public interested in the work being
done.
ThreefoId Value.
The value Of this work to the city
is educational, economic, and aes-
thetic
Educational, because it helps to de-
velop habits of industry at period
when the child is most receptive to
the formation Of habits. IF child at
tempts some definite project, and car
ries this project through to sue
cessful conclusion, it develops in him
or her sense Of self reliance, and In
itiative, that is In marked contrast tc
the habits formed from summer
ivN Np -
Jobs.
Economic. because there is at pres
ent perhaps a very large total area OF
lots. etc. that is at present utterly un-
several hundred boys and girls, turned
out Of schools each spring, who are
full OF energy that seeks relief in
many forms Of aetivity.lf this energy
could be utilized in the cultivation Of
these idle plots Of ground, the pro-
ducts would be clear gain to the
city, because both would otherwise go
Ito waste.
Aesthetic, because beautiful city
requires clean back yard as we'll as
a clean front yard. The prizes will be
awarded only to those who keep the
garden neat. clean and beautiful. Not
only this, but in Judging the gardens,
the Judge will take into consideration
the front yard, parkings. and alleys
surrounding the property on which tho
garden is located.
Home Garden Project.
The garden club work is a move
ment started some years ago by the
United States Department OF Agricul.
ture and the bureau of education. In
most Of the states the department OF
agriculture carries on this work In
connection with the state colleges Of
agriculture In order to get the as.
sistance OF this branch OF the depart.
ment in carrying out garden work IN
any town. the town must meet certain
requirements. They are asNfollows:
local leader must he employed,
who will take charge of the work
throughout the summer
The work must meet the full sup.
port and cooperation Of the city
school system.
! 1t must receive the support of some
strong organization such as the conn
mercial club.
This assistance consists in the send.
ing Of a gaden club leader here to as.
sist in the organization, and twice
later. to fudge or assist in the school
exhibits and help decide on the award.
ing of prizes. When children enroll in
this work they are really members OF
state wide. or even nation wide. or
ganization. because II Is maintained
| Throughout the United States.
Memberships are open to all pupils
residing in the independent school
district of Ottumwa. and between the
/ ages Of 10 and IS. The gardens must
| be at least one square rod in area
Prizes will be awarded for:
The best kept gardens.
Garden products. II possible, large
and varied list OF prizes will be award
cd for different products,