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years been carried on at my home, 'Westfield," in Reading. The main aim is to interest teachers and children in plants of economic importance. Various series of plots have been laid out, in which are grown plants which supply medicines, food, fibres or dyes, while corresponding tropical plants are exhibited in adjoining conservatories. another part of the garden is a small museum in which many of the industrial products derived from the plants are exhibited and where they may be studied. The garden, conservatories and museum are thrown open free on several halfholidays during the summer, and have been inspected by large numbers of visitors, each of whom receives a printed guide to the exhibits. A copy of this guide will be sent to teachers interested in educational gardens, and I shall be glad to render any further service to directors of education or responsible officers or head teachers desirous of establishing similar educational gardens. JAMIESON B. HURRY, M.D.

Westfield,

Reading.

CENTRAL KITCHENS.

SIR, The Executive Committee of the National Food Reform Association in April last passed a resolution "welcoming the action of the Ministry of Food in recommending communal kitchens, as making for individual and national economy and a better nourished population," and received a cordial acknowledgment from Mrs. Pember Reeves. Since then, the system has been widely adopted, and its saving, both in foodstuffs and in fuel --recently noted with approval by Lord Rhondda-to say nothing of labour or the opportunity afforded

for improving cookery and diminishing. waste, is generally recognized. I am accordingly desired to say that the committee will be happy to be of service to local authorities and others. It has already been able to assist both public and private promoters of such kitchens, alike in town and country. Being wishful to secure as complete information as possible, it will be glad to receive particulars regarding any central kitchens. These should include:--

(1) Nature of management, viz., local authority, society or ad hoc committee. N.B.-State whether wage-earners represented.

(2) Scope, i.e., whether for children, adults, or both.

(3) Days or hours open.

(4) Whether any meals are served on the premises.

(5) Section or sections of the community using same.

(6) Date of opening.

(7) Average number of meals served daily.

(8) Approximate population.

(9) Experience, training and salary of manager and cook.

(10) Number of staff, including volunteers, if any.

(11) Menus for a fortnight, with tariff. (12) Financial result, i.e., whether selfsupporting, and, if not, how deficit met. State if premises are had rent free or at a nominal charge.

(13) Copies of any descriptive leaflets circulated.

(14) Any general remarks or suggestions based on experience.

CHAS. E. HECHT,
Hon. Secretary, National Food
Reform Association.

14, Great Smith Street,

S.W.1.

WAYS AND MEANS.

Under this heading descriptions are given of preparations and appliances, new and old, likely to be of service in the study and management of child life. Every care is taken to procure reliable notices based upon practical knowledge. In this way trustworthy information is available regarding the work of inventors and the products of manufacturers, which it is believed will afford valuable guidance to all engaged in the care of infants and the protection and education of children.

THE "TREASURE" PLAY

GROUND.

Play with pleasure and protection. This might well be the motto for the "TREASURE PLAYGROUND" introduced by the Treasure Cot Company. The chief features of this novel contrivance are indicated in the accompanying illustration. For the use of infants and young "toddlers" this ingenious restraining in

66 A TREASURE" PLAYGROUND. fluence is ideal. They are well adapted for use in the home and wherever young children are The to be cared for. "Treasure" Playground is made of good quality British beech and birch, without paint or varnish or enamel. It is readily closed up and rendered portable, and can be set up anywhere in a few moments. The price is 25s. with six sections; extra sections are obtainable at 4s. 6d. each.

MISSIONARY STUDY.

Children and young people delight in the adventures and endeavours of missionary movements in foreign lands. For the development of mind and morals, true patriotism and an unselfish selfsacrifice, knowledge of geography, and the habits and interests of the peoples

of the earth is essential. Missionary study and service provides endless opportunities for mental and spiritual development. The Church Missionary Society have established a Young People's Department, and make a special feature of the issue of publications and materials suited to the requirements of teachers of all standards and children of all ages. We have received specimens of some of these. To the "Yarns" series the Rev. Arthur P. Shepherd, M.A., contributes "Yarns on Heroes on the Lone Trail: A Book for Workers among Boys" (price 8d. net). It shows well how the adventurous and picturesque may be made conspicuous and yet contact maintained with actual personalities and living realities. "Heroines of Healing A Book for Leaders amongst Working Girls," by Constance E. Padwick (price 4d. net), is a splendid little volume which admirably indicates how the true Red Cross spirit may be applied in the conduct of woman's work on the missionary field. "Talks on African Villages," by F. Deaville Walker, and "Talks on Great Servants of India," by Dorothy Ackland, M.A. (price 7d. and 8d. net), are members of the suggestive "Talks" series of handbooks for leaders of missionary classes for boys and girls of from about 8 to 13 years. "Six Missionary Sunday School Lessons on Ram Das, an Indian Boy" (price 2d. net), is for infant schools. "Six Missionary Sunday School Lessons on India" (price 2d.), is for children of from 8 to 12 years of age; and "Six Outline Missionary Lessons on the C.M.S. Mission on the North-West Frontier of India," by C. E. Padwick (price 2d. net), is for Bible classes of adolescents. "The Day School Teacher and Missions," by Constance E. Padwick (price 2d. net), is a stimulating and suggestive appeal to teachers. The C.M.S. has also just published, in conjunction.

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with the Oxford University Press and in "The Pathway Series," a fine missionary volume for young people: "Mackay of the Great Lake," by C. E. Padwick, with six illustrations by Ernest Prater, and fourteen other pictures and maps (price 35. net). This gives in graphic story the record of Alexander Mackay's great work for Uganda. We also desire to direct attention to the attractive and helpful series of pictorial placards issued by the C.M.S., and suitable for illustrating lessons and addresses in Sunday schools, missionary classes, or even in ordinary educational work. A list of the picture sheets may be obtained on application. The publications of the C.M.S. certainly deserve to be widely known, and will be useful among many classes of teachers. Full particulars may be obtained on application to C.M.S. Headquarters, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, E.C.

DIARIES AND CALENDARS. Even in war days DIARIES AND CALENDARS must be allowed to rank among life's indispensables. These necessary guides to the punctual and orderly conduct of duties and the prompt fulfilment of responsibilities are now being issued in diminished numbers and with new restrictions and unaccustomed limitations. It is necessary that everyone should make early choice of a record book for the New Year, or 1918 may find us lamenting the non-appearance of a favourite form of diary. One of the most interesting, serviceable and up-to-date of the diaries available is "The British Red Cross Society's Diary," issued with the authority of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John by Messrs. Charles Letts and Co., the well-known firm of publishers of diaries and calendars (price: paper boards, 6d. net; cloth, 1s. net). Every commandant, nurse, V.A.D. and other worker under the Red Cross should hasten to procure one of these compact, informing, and generally useful pocket registers. It should be noted that the profits derived from its sale are devoted to the funds of the British Red Cross Society. The little volume, in addition to the space allowed for diary purposes, contains regulations governing employ

ment of nursing members in military hospitals, notes on the Geneva Convention, hints on health, directions for first aid, diagrams illustrating badges of rank in the Army and Navy, and British orders and medals. There are also illustrations of distinguishing flags and lamps, and a useful list of abbreviations for military terms, a guide to French, and much else likely to be of practical service.

Messrs. Boots, Ltd., the well-known firm of manufacturing chemists at Nottingham, have issued an excellent series of diaries for 1918. We would particularly call attention to "The Home Diary and Ladies' Note Book" (price 8d. net). This contains a vast amount of practical information which will be invaluable to women in the conduct of their own homes or responsible for the direction of schools, hospitals or other institutions. Much space is allowed for diary records with blotting paper interleaved between each page. A particularly serviceable section is devoted to the registry of housekeeping accounts. For use in the office, school and country house the large size form of "Scribbling Diary" (price gd. net) cannot be beaten. There is generous space allowance, three days to a page, and throughout the diary is interleaved with blotting paper. Excellent dainty forms suitable for small pockets or bags can be obtained at prices which vary from 6d. to 2s. 6d. net. It should be noted that each of Messrs. Boots' diaries is provided with a form of application for a Coupon Insurance Ticket with the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., for £1,000 insurance and other important privileges.

Messrs. Thomas de la Rue and Co., Ltd., the old-established firm of diary specialists, are issuing an excellent series of their famous "Onoto" Diaries. These maintain their familiar and much valued characteristics. Each contains an Insurance Coupon for £1,000. The monthly index is admirable for ready reference. An alphabetical index provides means for the record of telephone numbers, addresses and serviceable memoranda. At each opening of a diary a complete week of records is seen at a glance. Much practical information is available in compressed form. The diaries can be ob

tained in three chief sizes, the smallest being just the thing for the waistcoat pocket. The paper is excellent, and the cases provided are artistic, durable, and effective. For friends at home or abroad no more acceptable Christmas and New Year's souvenir could be selected than an "Onoto" Diary.

A DIRECTORY OF SCHOOLS.

The choice of an educational centre for the proper development of a boy or girl is often directed by chance rather than governed by a recognition of needs. Few parents or guardians seem capable of understanding the requirements of the children which Providence has placed under their care, and it is rare to find any adult willing to consider the selection of an educational institution in accordance with psychological and sociological principles. And hence it comes that educational advisers deserve to rank among philanthropists. Among published works which seek to render guidance in the choice of schools and the selection of teachers "Paton's List of Schools and Tutors" (price 2s. net) deserves a foremost place. This handsome volume of nearly 1,000 pages is published by Messrs. J. & J. Paton, the well-known educational agents. It is a work which everyone on whom devolves the responsible task of selecting a school for a boy or girl should study with care. The Directory has been compiled with much care and is now in its twentieth edition. Pictures and particulars of many of the best of our English schools are given. The arrangement is excellent for ready reference. There are also lists of scholarships

and exhibitions and much serviceable information regarding preparation for the services, professions and many practical vocations. The volume is beautifully got up, and is printed on art paper with illustrations on almost every page. There is an excellent map of England and Wales indicating the chief educational centres. All interested in educational work and called upon to advise in the selection of a school will find this work indispensable. It should have a place in every reference library in the country. It is issued at a price which is merely nominal.

A MUSICAL PICTURE BOOK.

Messrs. Augener, Ltd., have issued a delightful series of artistic picture-books, the illustrations of which have been prepared with rare skill by Miss H. Willebeck le Mair. The latest member of the series is a wonderful musical picturebook, "Old Dutch Nursery Rhymes "" (price 4s. net), has been printed in England, and is a fine production of which all concerned may justly be proud. The English version has been prepared by Mrs. R. H. Elkin, and the original tunes have been harmonized by Mr. J. Röntgen. The fifteen pictures in their quaint and whimsical beauty are perfectly fascinating, while the Netherland rhymes have been converted into gaily moving verses The musical accompaniments are peculiarly suitable. This is a book which parents and teachers will find a source of much delight for their children. It will make a delightful Christmastide giftbook. The general get-up leaves nothing to be desired.

YESTERDAY, TO-DAY, AND TO-MORROW.

Under this general heading appear miscellaneous notes and records of current events and other topics relating to child welfare, and to this section it is earnestly hoped readers of this Journal will contribute.

THE CINEMA AND CHILD

WELFARE.

The cinema exercises a powerful and far-reaching influence on our national life. It is an agency rich in possibilities for educational advancement and helpful recreation, but capable of being prostituted for ignoble purposes. The moving picture makes a strong appeal to children of all ages and every class. It has long been clear that measures should be taken to secure conditions which would make the cinema a serviceable factor in the development of a healthy community life. Under the auspices of the National Council of Public Morals, the headquarters of which are at 20, Bedford Square, and the Director and Secretary the Rev. James Marchant, a Cinema Commission has been taking evidence and considering the whole problem. The report of the Commission has just been issued. The following conclusions have been arrived at: The picture house should be commodious and well constructed, thoroughly ventilated, and scrupulously clean. Seating accommodation should be ample to avoid the obvious evils of overcrowding. Children should be seated in the optimum position, which is the centre of the hall, at a distance from the screen not less than one and a half times its own height. The body of the hall should be lighted sufficiently by means of screened lights during the showing of the pictures to ensure that no objectionable practices shall be possible in the auditorium, and that the eyestrain shall be reduced to a minimum, Capable and experienced attendants should be present in the hall to look after the welfare of the children. The projection of the pictures should be in the hands of a highly skilled operator. A new copy of each film should be provided at every performance, or at least at frequent intervals. Between the showing of different films there should be short intervals in which the theatre should be

suffused with light. Children should visit the theatre at such an hour as will ensure that their night's rest is not encroached on. Their attendance should not be too frequent, and they should not be allowed to stay too long at any one visit. The pictures which the children ought to see should be exhilarating, without leading to undue mental strain. Designedly educational films should either be explained, as they proceed, by a capable lecturer, or should be prepared for by an antecedent course of teaching in the school. Strict supervision should be exercised to prevent children, especially girls, from loitering in the vestibule, and the possibility of their being accosted. The Commission point out that it is possible for Parliament to frame laws to carry out all these objects. Some of the reforms, however, may prove so costly that it would be impossible to continue to provide popular entertainment as cheaply as heretofore. The Commission are agreed that legislation which had the effect of placing the cinema beyond the reach of the million should be very slowly undertaken. They also recommend that to secure uniformity of regulations in regard to such suitable conditions as are practicable, there should be a conference of representatives of the Home Office, local authorities, the trade, and a small number of persons who have shown special interest in the picture house to draw up a list of model regulations; and that these be made statutory. A State censorship is suggested, and the following reasons are given: "For its own protection as well as for the ensuring of its continued suitability to the nation, the cinema should have the support and the official countenance of the State. We want to place it in a position of real dignity. We want it to be something more than a trade; in fact, we wish it to be one of the assets of our national entertainment and recreation. We are anxious that the cinema should be beyond

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