264 STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



serve this purpose well. This lawn should be handsomely set in grass, and 

 the scholars should understand from the first that it is not to be made a play- 

 ground. The house should be provided with a door in the rear leading to the 

 playgrounds, and at the noon hour and times of recess the front door should 

 be closed. 



Something like this is our idea of a school-house and its surroundings, but 

 if our readers think it is too much trouble, then let us beg you at least to plant 

 some forest trees around your school-house, with secure boxing until they 

 become large enough to protect themselves. If nobody cares now, posterity 

 will thank you for it. 



TEACHEES AND SCHOOL GROUNDS. 



At the annual meeting of the Michigan State Teachers' Association, Prof. 

 Beal called the attention of that body to the work of our society in ornament- 

 ing school premises, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 



Mesolved, That the members of this association are much gratified to learn 

 of the success attending the recent efforts of the State Horticultural Society to 

 induce school boards, teachers, and pupils to embellish country school grounds. 

 We believe it is a move in the right direction, and hope it may be continued. 



Resolved, That we recommend all teachers to encourage any efforts to make 

 the surroundings of our country schools more pleasant, believing that in so 

 doing pupils may be induced to form a stronger attachment for a beautiful 

 home, and a greater love for rural life. 



SCHOOLS AND ARBOR DAY. 



The following note is from W. Asa Kowe, a Superintendent of Schools in 

 Ingham county : 



One of my teachers last Arbor Day closed school in the afternoon, and the 

 scholars, little and big, brought maple, ash, basswood, and elm trees to the 

 school grounds. The smaller ones united forces, and two or three brought one 

 tree. The teacher suggested a place, and helped pla.ut the trees, and placed 

 bits of board about the tree for a mulch. Most of the trees lived and were 

 doing well till stray cattle destroyed a portion of them. They are to have a 

 good fence now to protect what are left, and will plant again next spring. 



The practical result of this method appears to be that the children regard 

 these trees as especially their property, and instead of breaking twigs off or 

 bending them over and marring their beauty, they at once try to prevent all 

 such spoliation. Wherever grounds are well fenced, I think this way much 

 better than for the older ones to do all the planting, although they might 

 assist. 



This same teacher also had a small flower bed on the grounds, and a few 

 growing plants in the room. Even a few blades of wheat and corn growing in 

 winter seemed quite attractive. 



