MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 139 



against unpleasant or improper scrutiny from without. Instead, however, of 

 effecting this object by the construction of a high and tiglit board fence, we 

 strongly advise the planting on all the sides except the front of an evergreea 

 screen, suflicient, when well grown, to fully hide the view. 



Along the front we would plant a low ornamental hedge, either deciduous 

 or evergreen, with the needful passages through it for the accommodation of 

 the grounds and buildings. This should be kept sheared in conical form and 

 of a height not exceeding four or five feet. If cattle are permitted in the 

 street, this must either be a thorn hedge, or be protected by a strong fence 

 with gates or stiles. 



^VHAT TREES TO PLAXT. 



For the front, or hedge, in the absence of cattle in the street, plant hem- 

 lock, arbor vitae, red cedar, or even privet ; or, if required to turn cattle, 

 resort may be had to honey locust or osage orange. For beauty and durability, 

 nothing excels or even equals the hemlock. 



For the screen or windbreak on the sides and rear, either hemlock or Korwav 

 spruce will prove highly satisfactory. 



No trees should be planted so as to permanently shade the buildings; since 

 to do so would render them damp, and therefore more or less deleterious to the 

 health of the inmates. 



A portion of the rear, of ample capacity, should be set apart as a play ground ; 

 as it would be amply sheltered from bleak winds by the surrounding screens, 

 while it should be open to observation from the windows of the school rooms. 

 It should, as far as practicable, be kept in grass, and all trees and plants 

 should be limited to its borders. 



About this play ground, and at the sides and front of the building, the 

 grounds may be devoted to the planting of trees and shrubs; and even annual 

 and perennial flowering plants may be introduced, in cases in which the scholars 

 and teachers can be led to indulge and carry into effect a taste in that direc- 

 tion. 



ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS. 



Trees and plants should be selected and grouped in accordance with a care- 

 fully considered and matured plan ; with care that at the front especially, they 

 shall not, even when fully grown, become dense enough to essentially interfere 

 with a convenient outlook in that direction. 



For the purpose of avoiding hasty and inconsiderate action in a matter of 

 such permanent import, and also to avoid as far as possible any tendency to 

 change after such plan shall have taken effect, it should be thoroughly con- 

 sidered by the district board, and should also receive, if possible, the unani- 

 mous vote of the people of the district. 



There can, however, be little hope of the successful realization of a plan for 

 this purpose, that cannot be made to enlist not only the concurrence, but also 

 the active cooperation of the scholars. We can conceive no more promising 

 means of realizing this than by encouraging each scholar to plant and care for 

 at least one tree or shrub. This could doubtless be more effectively done by 

 allowing each family to arrange and plant a group of trees and plants ; each 

 child or scholar to have and care for his own ; to be called by his name ; and 

 to stand as a memento of him, after he shall have ceased to be a scholar. The 

 selection and grouping of such trees should be left with the families of the 



