XOTES ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 95 



of the sbnibbery in front of the building, and the planting of distinct, 

 sharply defined groups and masses of trees, which should be set out 

 under a system of classification by families as far as practical. The 

 lawns or open spaces between the groups should never be permitted 

 to be dotted over with bushes or trees of any kind, but should be kept 

 open for lawn ramble and play ground. This much of improvement is 

 within the reach of any of our educational institutions, and if done by 

 them the grounds will develop in the course of time into sylvan feat- 

 ures of great beauty, from which both the young and the old can learn 

 many lessons of arboriculture and correct judgment in matters of 

 decoration of grounds. 



The walks and grading and sraoothening of the ground form the 

 mechanical part of the improvement, which owing to the expenses in- 

 volved, depends much on controllieg circumstances, and may take 

 years of gradual labor before it can be completed without a special 

 fund granted to it. This portion of the plan is only the finishing touch, 

 but not the reality of truly progressive improvement. Let those feat- 

 ures of the work costing least, and requiring years for their develop- 

 ment, be thought of first, and let tlie incidential walks be made when 

 the necessary funds are at hand. 



Eegretting my inability to be present at your meeting, I am. 



Very respectfully yours, 



M. G. KERX. 



The following was offered by Major Ragan : 



Mr. President, 1 move the following resolution, 



Resolved^ That this society is in favor of ornamental improvement 

 of the public school grounds of this State, having already begun the 

 work by making an example in laying out and planting the grounds of 

 the State Xormal School at Warrensburg, under this societies direc- 

 tion, by a competent landscape gardener, and further. 



Resolved, That at next Arbor day we make the effort to have the 

 grounds either at Kirksville or Carthage improved in like manner, and, 



Resolved, further, Tha,t the Agricultural Department at \yashing- 

 ton City be petitioned to aid this society in the further improvement of 

 our public school grounds. 



Z. S. RAGAy. 



