WINTER MEETING, 1879. 11 



that will lielp to build tlicni up into the full stature of men and women. To 

 such — and there are such here — I gladly contribute my mite. 



A WORD OF CAUTION. 



Much as the average school yard needs immediate improvement, we must 

 remember that the farmer is a conservative, and looks askance at any innova- 

 tion ; and what greater innovation than ornamental country scliool grounds. 

 We must feel our way cautiously, for any active measures would probably 

 result in a dead-lock, as three out of every five of the "deestrick fathers" 

 would get ''riled," and, in all the dignity of their local prestige, declare that 

 '*we won't have any more traps for the big boys to smash up." Before much 

 can be done in this direction, the ideas of the people on this question must 

 underfi^o a radical chancre. 



There must be a veritable growth of wholesome public sentiment in this 

 regard. To secure this we must agitate the question, pleasantly, persuasively, 

 but persistently. Hence, I am glad to see this society making a move in this 

 direction. It is a credit to any society, whatever its aim, to work in so good a 

 cause. 



But mere talk will avail but little, unless it crystallizes into definite plan and 

 action. 



AWARDS or MERIT. 



May not this society again take the lead by offering at each quarterly meet- 

 ing a prize for the best plan of school grounds, drawn by a country teacher, 

 and which had been previously approved by the school patrons? Such an ex- 

 ample would probably be followed by the county agricultural societies, whose 

 potent infiuence would soon arouse an interest in school ornamentation through- 

 out the state. Again similar prizes might be offered at the annual exhibits 

 of the State Pomological or State Agricultural Society. It should be under- 

 stood, however, that all such plans must first be approved by the school dis- 

 tricts in which they originate. This precaution, by making them judges of, 

 and interested parties in the plans presented, would bring the question of 

 school ornam(?ntation right home to those whom w^e most need to please, the 

 scliool patrons themselves. Following this, prizes might be offered for the 

 best plans which are to be put into execution. And then it might be advisa- 

 ble to award medals to the schools having the best grounds actually laid 

 out. 



The work which I have briefly outlined will require time — years — and yet it 

 is only initiatory. But this should not discourage us, for in every enterprise 

 how much preparatory work must we do before we can pluck the ripened fruit 

 of our efforts. The first step, however, must be taken; the jjeople must be 

 educated to see the present condition of things and appreciate something bet- 

 ter. We must labor to secure such a reform of public sentiment on this ques- 

 tion as will make the ornamentation of school grounds not only possible but 

 general. 



And this society, with all its prestige, its command of the press and its pre- 

 miums, added to the enterprise of its members, has the power to inaugurate, 

 and, with the aid of similar societies, effect such a reform. In fact, I can think 

 of no other efficient means to this desirable end; and I hope the society will 

 not shirk the responsibility by laying it on the shoulders of our educators. This 

 society is an educator, great and authoritative, and can appeal to the people as 

 the teacher can not. 



