26 JUNE 1926, Page 10

Toronto, Canada, has had a " Forest School " for

over twelve years. The aim of • these Forest Schools is to build up children who for various reasons are under- nourished. The schools are not residential ; the children live at their own homes. The Victoria Park School outside Toronto is beautifully situated in a wood of spruce and birch on cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario. The entire programme of the school is carried out in the open air. Wooden shacks are provided for dining-rOoms and for places of refuge when.the weather 'is wet. These shacks are open on three sides from the roof to within two and a half feet of the ground, the open space being covered with fly-proof gauze. Part of the daily routine includes the brushing of teeth after luncheon. From one till three is devoted to a siesta ; stretcher* beds are put up under the trees and here the children sleep for two hours. A visitor from the Public Health Depart- meat of New Zealand, Miss Mary.,Lambie, writes' of her visit to the Toronto Forest Schools :--" Personally, I can imagine nothing more beneficial for a child, in every way, than a stay at the Forest School, for he is continually gaining not only physical benefit, but health habits which should stand him in good stead all his life."