MOSSTOWN SCHOOL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12635, 24 October 1905, Page 2

MOSSTOWN SCHOOL.

JUVENILE GARDENERS

A very industrious body of children ara those who attend the Mosstown ; School. Evidence of their industry and skill is to be found m the excei-iently-kept garden plots which adorn the school grounds. During last year the children were given an opportunity to make gardens, and they entered into their work with an enthusiasm which shows no sign of abatement. Considering the fact that the pupils are for the greater part tiny tots, tneir gardens are really wonderful. Each plot is in charge of two or more children, as the case may be, and they have thti destiny of their garden entirely in then cwn hands, so far as the arrangement, choice of flowers, or vegetables, etc.. is concerned. The girls have devoted their energies to flower gardens, and they have got a fine horticultural show. As borders, pinks pansies, and violets have been utilised, while among the flowers which are to be found in the plots are roses, bulbs of various kinds, primroses, " chrysanthemums, mignonette, forget-me-nots, and seedlings of all kinds. The girls have also a small kitchen garden, which the boys very gallantly dug for them. In this there are some promising vegetables, The boys, or at any rate the majority of them, are of a utilitarian turn of mind, as they have utilised thenplots for the production of vegetables, and they have the promise of a truly fine harvest. Potatoes bulk largely, and among them are to be seen the Northern Star, Uncle Sam, Sir Walter Raleigh, Up-to-date Early Rose, Fluke Kidney, Dakota Red, and otfoars. There is also to be found cabbages, cauliflowers, turnips, parsnips, beans, lettuce, radishes, onions, beet, spinach, parsley, carrots, rhubarb, etc There are one or two flower plots, which contain a nice lot of flowers of various kinds. Little in the shape of fruit growing has been attempted, but there are nevertheless some currants and gooseberries. As we have said, the children have sole control of their respective gardens, and though they are rapidly becoming experts, they have very kindly and interested overseers in Misses Awino- and Gordon. Messrs. Laird, {Sinclair, and Benefield have been very kind to the children. Messrs. J. Laird and Sons very kindly presented them with a large number of very fine rose trees, and Messrs. bmclair and Laird gavo flower seeds. Messrs. George Smith and D. H. Williamson have taken a great interest in the school gardens. They frequently make a visit of inspection, and ra addition to enriching the gardens by girts, impart to the children some valuable hints. We heartily congratulate _tn>3 little gardeners of the Mosstown School and hope that they and their gardens may prosper as the days go by.