OKNAMENTING MICHIGAN SCHOOL GKOUNDS. 99 



grounds — all suggested by the seeds. We have nice maple trees, rose bushes, 

 dahlias, and pansies doing well. 



Grace Taylor, Bronson : The seeds came all right. Our wood pile was on 

 the best spot for flowers. We moved it, prepared the soil by adding well rotted 

 manure, and divided the space into eight rectangular beds two and one-half by 

 six feet, allowing same width for paths. We also made one circular bed five 

 feet in diameter in the front of the yard, placing a cypress vine in the center. 

 We placed castor beans each side of tlie gate and planted vines at the south and 

 west windows. The beds were numbered and careful memoranda made of the 

 varieties planted, and placed with the catalogue for reference. The school was 

 divided into sections and each section had a bed. Everything grew and the 

 care of the garden was very valuable to the school in many ways. 



Georgia Lillie, Kalamazoo: The school board aided us in the preparation 

 of the ground. The children sowed the seeds. But just as they began to grow 

 diphtheria closed our school and when we started again the weeds were ahead. 

 But notwithstanding this and the excessive drouth, we had the best flower gar- 

 den in the district, and had flowers for the sick and ourselves. When school 

 closed, October 1st, our garden was a wealth of beauty. The children thoroughly 

 appreciated the gift. 



Mary McLaughlin, Watson : We succeeded with our seeds even better than 

 I expected. The scholars all took hold with a will, and I do not hesitate to say 

 that the flowers and vines had a refining influence upon us all. I would, 

 suggest that shade trees, and especially evergreens, be set in the school yard. 

 In our vicinity school grounds are lacking in these things. 



Jennie T. Hay, Soule : Our flowers' proved a great success, excepting a few 

 tender varieties which were killed by a June frost. 



Emily Post, Almond: We took a great deal of comfort in our flower gar- 

 den. We made the directions for planting a regular study, and followed them 

 as nearly as possible. The frost cut down some of the more tender sorts, but 

 they did well as a whole. The running vines we trained about the door 

 casings, making our entrance truly beautiful. 



Phebe Ernsberger, Watervliet: Scarcely a seed failed with us, but, owing 

 to dry weather, the blossoms were scarce in midsummer. The care of the 

 garden certainly helped me in the government of my school. Even the large 

 boys took a deep interest in the success of the enterprise, and contributed 

 largely in aid of the work. I think some perennials would have been a valu- 

 able addition. The children gathered seeds, and have been anxiously in- 

 quiring if we are to have flowers next year. 



Ella L. Streeter, Jeddo : The seeds germinated well, but, owing to the 

 drouth, we had few flowers the first term, but now (October 24) we have in 

 blossom phlox, batchelor's buttons, marigolds, asters, petunias, candytuft, 

 and Mignonette. We did all the work ourselves, and shall certainly have a 

 flower garden next year. In the spring we planted trees around our ground; 

 all but three lived, and these we shall replace. We have two very pretty pines. 



Laura J. Ginley, Coopersville : Our seeds did not come upas well as we 

 hoped. Still enough grew to give us a great deal of pleasure during summer. 

 The patrons and children all seemed interested. The children did all the 

 work. They clubbed together in the care of the beds, planting what they 

 chose. I took occasion to give some object lessons in botany drawn from our 

 "home productions." Although we did not succeed as well as we might the 

 flowers cast a delightful influence about us, and we shall try again next year. 



A. Sergeant, Napoleon : The seeds came late, and the season was dry, so 



