144 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



pains should be spared to secure good trees Avitli good roots and to properly 

 set tbeni out so as to insure their living and subsequent growth ; and if any 

 do not survive, such should be replaced, so that the result shall be fine, thrif ty- 

 srrowinof shade trees. 



Fences alonsr his:liwavs in the country ous^lit not to be necessary ; and they are 

 particularly objectionable when enclosing a school yard. They mar the effect, 

 interfere with the children's play, and add a greatly increased expense. If 

 stock is prevented from roaming at large, then there is no necessity for a fence. 

 Their only use is to prevent cattle etc., from running over the school grounds, 

 and injuring the trees, shrubbery, etc. If a fence is deemed essential and 

 must be kept up, the cheapest in the long run, for such purpose, is a post and 

 rail fence, using strong white oak posts, or other good material, such as cedar, 

 chestnut, red elm, etc., sawed six or eight inches square and cut seyen feet in 

 length. These should be set square with the line and two and a half feet in 

 the ground and eight feet apart, and connected with sound, strong rails of oak 

 or other suitable wood, sawed about three inches square, and set in the posts 

 diamond sliape, /. e., the diagonals of the cross section of the rails should be 

 horizontal and vertical, and set in the posts at equal distance apart, with 

 an auger and mortice, so that they can not turn, three rails to each panel. At 

 the gates may be set two rows of posts, — or the passage-way may be provided 

 with a revolving gate, or even other suitable arrangement may be used to pre- 

 vent cattle from entering the grounds. 



I would surround the lot on all sides with sugar maple or elm trees, set two 

 rods apart, obtaining, in all cases, strong, vigorous trees, and set them out with 

 the utmost care, and mulch them well with coarse manure, spent tan bark, 

 sorghum bagasse, or saw-dust, etc. A suitable space should be reserved at the 

 rear end of the lot for an open play ground. This area might comprise about 

 half an acre, large enough for ball playing and such games, that require ample 

 room. The remainder of the lot, up to the front of the building, I would set 

 to trees, our native forest trees, black walnut, white wood, white elm, maple, 

 butternut, etc., interspersed w'ith evergreens, hemlock, spruce, balsam fir, etc. 

 Avoid setting so that any three trees appear in a row ; let them appear to be 

 placed naturally, but be at about equal distances apart, perhaps two rods each 

 from every otlier. The front yard I would devote to flowers, shrubbery and 

 trees of an ornamental character, such as mountain ash, horse chestnut, etc. 

 The shrubbery may consist of the strong showy sorts such as snowball, lilac, 

 syringia, flowering quince, flowering almond, high bush cranberry, etc. 



The flowers may be placed in beds along each side of the walk and elsewhere, 

 as seems most desirable. The success and extent of the flowers will depend 

 very much upon the taste, industry and skill of the teacher in that direction. 

 If tlie teacher has a love for flowers, a willingness to cultivate them, a pride in 

 their growth and successful development, the pupils, or a considerable portion 

 of them, are sure to become imbued with some degree of eagerness or enthu- 

 siasm for the same pastime and to delight in spending tlieir leisure moments in 

 assisting their instructor in this pleasant labor. Tiie thoughtful earnest teach- 

 er will obtain a quiet control over their young minds at such times that will be 

 far more effective in the discipline of the sciioolroom than innumerable iron- 

 clad rules. The luimanizing influence developed by their common care and 

 love for these pure and beautiful objects, will react in a manner to soften the 

 harsher cares and duties of the school-room ; they liave common ground where 

 their best feelings will freely mingle, and they will thus be drawn together by 

 the law of sympathy. Pupils who frequently spend a few happy moments with 



