The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-14
School Gardening
Comments Upon The Recent Re
ports of the Supervisor OF
School Gardening

was particularly interested in the
report Of the school gardens recently
issued by Miss Obenschain. our Su-
pervisor of School Gardens. The
question of school gardens has evoked
Il great deal of interest in recent years
and the United States Department OF
Education is giving a great deal OF at
tention to the administration and su-
pcrvision Of this department Of it's
work.
Before the war began people were
more or less interested in this question
in an academic sort of way; but dur
ing the war it was shown very clearly
what a strong practical bearing this
whole matter had upon the commun-
ity life in many of its interests. IT
parents realized the real value in
many respects the garden may have
upon their children, they would en-
courage them by giving them proper
implements with which to work.
The Board of Education Of the City
of Sumter recognized the importance
of this work and, after conferrinS
with representatives of the United
States Bureau OF Education. procur-
ed the services of Miss Obenschain
as supervisor Of this work in our city.
The Board recognized the importance
of the movement. There are certain
advantages that appear on the very
surface. A deeper study of the qucs-
ton would reveal other correlative
advantages. Among those that are
self-evident are the following:
1st: The material advantage. This
of course, should not be the first con-
sideration from an educational view
point; but it has a most practical
bearing upon the question, for the
garden does help materially the life
of the family, and it inculcates the
! feeling of self-respect for the boy an6
girl to realize that what they have
done has added materially to the sup
port Of the family.
End: If record books are kept
showing the cost of production. it vii
be valuable training in bushes:
| methods.
3rd: The physical exercise obtain
ed by the work in the garden is al
together helpful because it is not too
violent and drudgery is transformed
into work by the zcst of interest.
4ts,: The planting of garden:
would be so planned and arranged as
| to make it possible to procure vege'
tables from ones garden at all sea
sons Of the year.
5th: It is possible to raise almos
any vegetable in the city Of Sumter
and it will be an interesting fact tc
see how great variety can be raised
| This study of variety of vegetables i:
interesting not only from a nature
study of view point; but also from
the study of the health of children
In this series of articles there will be
given later on some. that will show
how important it is to have not only
vegetables but different sorts of veSc.
tables for the proper physical de-
ve]opment Of the growing child.
9Th: Anything that induces the
child to become more attached to his
own home and to have his deepest in
stressed. This result will certainly
lOilOW. III IL Cilllu OECOIiico lilSlColtN
| in his own garden at home.
1t has given inc pleasure to be able
! to express a word OF encouragement
| of this work in our city and we hope
that Miss Obenschain's efforts here
after will be attended by even great.
er results. Respectfully submitted,
S. II. EdmundS,
superintendent