Hints on Rural Scho(jl Grounds. 



289 





37- 



- A tiaintr bit- 

 Jiowers against a 

 background. 



the summer. But the children can be taught to plant man}- 

 things. 



Only those flowers should be used which are very 

 easy to grow and which have the habit of taking 

 care of themselves. They should also be such as 

 bloom in spring or fall, when the school is in ses- 

 sion. Perennial plants — those which live from year 

 to year — are excellent. Of these, day lilies, bleed- 

 ing hearts, pinks, bluebells, hollyhocks, perennial 

 phlox and hibiscus, are always useful. Nothing 

 is better than the common wild asters and golden- 

 rods. They will grow almost anywhere and they 

 improve when grown in rich ground and given 

 plenty of room ; and they bloom in the fall. 



Many kinds of bulbs are useful, especialh' as so many of them 

 bloom very early in spring. We propose to issue a nature-study 

 leaflet on this subject the coming season. Think of a school 

 yard with crocuses, daffodills and tulips in it ! 



Annual flowers may be grown along the borders, out of the 

 way of the play-grounds. China asters, petunias and Cali- 

 fornia poppies are very attractive, and they are easy to grow. 

 They bloom in the fall. Phlox, sweet peas, allyssum, and 

 many others are also useful. Consult Bulletin 161. 



While the main planting should be made up of common trees 

 and shrubs, a rare or strange plant may Vje introduced now and 

 then from the nurseries, if there is any money with which to buy 

 such things. Plant it at some conspicuous point just in front 

 of the border, where it will show off well, be out of the way, 

 and have some relation to the rest of the planting. Two or 

 three purple-leaved or variegated-leaved bushes will add much 

 spirit and verve to the place ; but many of them make the place 

 look fussy and overdone. 



gknkral remarks. 



More than one-third of all public schools will probably always 

 be in the country. They will have most intimate relations with 

 rural life. We must make that life attractive to the pupils. 



In Europe there are school gardens, and similar plans are 



