EMBELLISHMENT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS. 



BY SECRETARY GARFIELD. 



The State Horticultural Society became interested in the subject of orna- 

 menting school grounds more than two years ago; and during 188L made the 

 subject a special feature of its work. A full report of methods pursued and 

 results attained was published in our last volume of transactions. 



Although the same amount of effort in this direction has not been put forth 

 during the past year, we have by no means abandoned our aim in securing to 

 Michigan more beautiful school surroundings. At every convention this mat- 

 ter fills some niche in the programme of exercises; in every local horticultural 

 society that is organized the members are urged to make education of their 

 people in the direction of greater care given to school premises, a prominent 

 part of the work attempted by the society; articles and short items have 

 been prepared for the press ; lectures have been given by the Secretary before 

 the State Teachers' Association and before farmers' institutes; 1). M. Ferry 

 & Co. have furnished free seeds for school grounds; resolutions have been 

 presented to meetings of educators, discussed and passed, looking toward 

 united action in the cause; in truth, everything has been done that we could 

 well do, to keep the subject before the people. 



If our system of education in its parts, was better linked together, a better 

 system of machinery could be put in motion for ihe accomplishment of prac- 

 tical results. As it is, individuals work independent of each other, and there 

 is little emulation aroused, and no enthusiasm exhibited. 



The Secretary takes the liberty of making the following suggestions con 

 cerning the most promising methods of pursuing this matter further : 



1. An impetus might be given the planting of trees and shrubbery about 

 school yards, if the Governor, in his proclamation for Arbor Day, should call 

 speciarattentiou to the subject; urging the patrons of schools, and especially 

 the children, to make the ornamenting of school premises with nevv planta- 

 tions a special feature of Arbor Day for 1883. 



2. Urge upon people interested in the subject, to secure a slight appropria- 

 tion at the spring town -meetings for the purpose of offering prizes to the 

 schools making the most successful efforts in beautifying the yards; the offer- 

 ings always to be in some apparatus or books that will add materially to the 

 means of instruction in the schools that secure the prizes. 



3. Secure some practical interest, if possible, in the subject by the dep art- 



