136 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



which may be trimmed np as they get older. In this way they make a shelter 

 from winds and afford a pleasant shade for children in summer. One or two 

 junipers, common Irish or savin, on some knoll will do ; also a Siberian or 

 some other hardy dwarf arbor vitae. Most of the trees may be sugar maples, 

 American (weeping) elms, basswoods (in suitable soils), and tulip trees. Chest- 

 nut trees are desirable, as nearly every child has pleasant associations connected 

 with chestnuts. Black ash trees are very handsome and thrive on any rich 



soil. 



To care for the trees properly, the director or teacher, or both, should love 

 trees and understand what they need. They need good soil ; they need a culti- 

 vated space about them for some six years until they become well established. 

 This space should bo not less than six feet or eight feet in diameter, as largo 

 about small trees as about large ones. A small space Avill do some good, a 

 large one much more. The easiest way will be to perform the work with a 

 horse and cultivator. There can be nothing really nice and good without some 

 trouble, expense or labor from some body. Trees started as above directed will 

 grow more in six years than neglected trees Avill in twelve or fifteen years. If 

 neglected they are quite likely to die. Then cultivated trees look better, and 

 we do not have to wait so long to reap the reward of our labors. Except the 

 white pines in front, the trees will hardly need any trimming, though the other 

 evergreens will be benefited by cutting off every year or two, some or all of 

 tips of the limbs, especially the upper ones, the leader and all. Except the 

 pines in front, do not cut off the lower limbs of the evergreens near the trunks. 

 To protect the trees in the road where cattle roam, drive or set three or four 

 stout stakes (never two), about three feet from the tree. These stakes should 

 be six or seven feet higli, and on them should be nailed some pieces of boards. 

 Most of our country schools have one or more long summer vacations. 

 AVhere this is the case, it will be quite difficult to do much with flowers, espec- 

 ially with annuals. There may be some flowering shrubbery near the ever- 

 ,2:reens, such as snowballs, lilacs, spiraeas, mock oranges, roses, etc. On brick 

 walls, or on some of the larger trees, may be trained an American ivy. 



Annual flowers can be planted out of doors and tended by the teacher, aided by 

 the pupils, provided the teacher likes such work and has a taste for it, and has 

 a school for most or all of the summer. This work will be a very profitable 

 part of the school, especially if it is well done. The time at such work will be 

 profitably spent. It will interest all the pupils, and will exert a wholesome in- 

 fluence on all of them, especially if they are all required to contribute some 

 plants or seeds and help take care of the plants. 



Teachers who succeed well with plants and flowers can talk to tiieir pupils 

 about them. Every scholar should learn their names, from what country they 

 come, their habits, etc. If the teacher has been properly trained in botany, 

 many useful lessons can be taught the girls and boys. They may be taught to 

 observe the germinating seeds, the ap})earance of the young plants, how the 

 leaves are arranged and shaped, what insects visit the flowers, how they behave, 

 what they collect, how some are fertilized by these insects. To a cultivated 

 teacher there is no limit to the profitable lessons which may be given to the 

 pupils. Such work will add an interest to school ; it will teach the attendants 

 to ornament and improve their homes; it will add a charm to rural life. They 

 will learn to love flowers and plants, and to love the teacher who instructed 

 them. 



The next response we use is from the pen of Prof. W. W. Tracy, of Old 

 Mission. 



