30 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Just think of the people of a school district in the State of Michigan who 

 have become so stuck up, depraved, or esthetic as to want to make the school 

 grounds more attractive I And tlien, too, notice that they have actually voted 

 to use money for this purpose. They ask advice about the plan, and want to 

 know 'Miow to fix it." The writer says the place is now "quite bleak." 

 Whoever heard of a school house iu a bleak place. 



All jesting aside, is not this a gem of a letter? I think it is written by a 

 lady. I take this as a good omen for the country schools. Let us make the 

 best of the example and see if we cannot get others to attempt the same 

 thing. Verily, this must be the result of some of the good seed sown by our 

 State Horticultural Society. 



The people of the district in question propose to make a display over the 

 matter on Arbor Day, and try to arouse a drooping interest iu their school. 

 This is the right way in which to do it. I studied the plan over with many 

 regrets that the grounds were so small, only 120x128 feet. I will show you 

 what I recommended. I kept in mind the location, the size of tlie place, and 

 the use to which it is devoted. The trees and shrubs are all hardy, good, and 

 easy to manage. The planting is quite thick on the west, for two reasons, 

 yiz. : to cut off the west winds and to conceal from view the cemetery, which 

 is situated just across the road. 



There seems to be a growing interest in the common schools, which mani- 

 fests itself iu many directions. 



The State Board of Health, especially through their sanitary conventions 

 lately held in several parts of the State, are discussing the houses with refer- 

 ence to a suitable supply of fresh air, drainage, and good water. The State 

 Teachers' Association has several times had good papers and discussions on 

 the condition of the common schools. The members of our subordinate and 

 county granges often talk of this subject. The State Grange does the same 

 thing. The State Horticultural Society is trying to fix up the grounds. The 

 school is besieged on all sides. The new county boards of examiners are 

 going to see that none but good teachers are provided. The Board of Health 

 is making plans for suitable ventilation. The granges and the State Teachers' 

 Association, and the teachers' institutes are going to keep agitating the sub- 

 ject. If these agencies continue to work, there is little risk in prophesying 

 that the time will soon come when we shall all point with pride to everything 

 that pertains to our country schools. Let us unite in the good work and keep 

 the ball rolling. Let every one here who can muster courage enough, on his 

 return home, go to work and see if he cannot do something this coming 

 spring to benefit his school. There is no better place for doing a good 

 missionary work. A model school here and there, scattered about the coun- 

 try, will act as leaven to bring up others iu the vicinity. I wish to offer the 

 following resolution : 



liesolved, That in the opinion of the members of the Michigan State Hor- 

 ticultural Society, the grounds about a country school house ought to be at 

 least one acre in extent. 



Mr. Moore : I heartily endorse the resolution, and wish to offer the sug- 

 gestion that the most promising method that occurs to me now, of awakening 

 interest in the embellishment of our school grounds, is to elect women upon 

 our scliool boards. 



Mr, Tracy : One acre is certainly email enough. It has been often remarked 

 that there was no use in arranging school premises with trees, shrubs, llowers, 



