it really belongs to you.

In our work and study we need to learn to devote our whole attention to
one thing,--to do this one thing with all the power that we have. Too
many of us form a habit of dividing our attention, trying to carry two
things in mind at the same time. This is a weakness that interferes with
our success. If we are truly interested, we should put our whole
attention upon the one matter and develop power of concentration.

To make what has been said about study clearer, let us use an
illustration. Suppose one of our Girl Scouts is fond of gardening. The
family has no garden, and there is a vacant space in the yard that could
be used for this purpose. She begins the reading of one of the farmers'
bulletins on this subject, and has in mind, all the time, making a
garden of her own. This object of making her own garden is her guide in
the study. She wishes to learn what plants are best suited to her plot,
which ones will give her the best return for the kind of soil that she
has, and so, as she reads, she chooses for herself from the ideas that
are presented. The whole subject is arranged in her own mind around her
own plan of making a garden. After reading this bulletin she is likely
to consult her friends who know anything about this subject, and to read
other articles. Finally she puts into practice the notions she has
gathered, and finds through actual trial whether they succeed or not. If
she is successful in growing flowers and vegetables, the ideas have been
put to a very practical and beneficial use. This girl will know a great
deal more about gardening than if she merely read the book.

Patriotism

You belong to the great United States of America, one of the great world
powers for enlightenment and liberty. It did not just grow as
circumstances chanced to form it. It is the work of your forefathers who
spent brains and blood to complete it. Even when brothers fought they
fought with the wrath of conviction, and when menaced by a foreign foe
they swung into line shoulder to shoulder with no thought but for their
country.

In all that you do think of your country first. We are all twigs in the
same fagot, and every little girl goes to make up some part or parcel of
our great whole nation.

Part II

MEMBERSHIP

This Organization is Non-Sectarian and Non-Political

Any girl over ten years old may become a Girl Scout and she may belong
to other organizations at the same tim