356 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
home is not worthy of the name without its trees, shrubs, vines, fruits and 
flowers. So horticulture appeals to every man, woman and child in a 
greater or less degree. I hope this society and each individual member will 
press this matter home upon the educational authorities, until the study 
of nature in the common schools of the state shall be an accomplished fact.” 
Mr. L. B. Pierce, in an address on “The Books about Us,” before a coun- 
try village club for practical information, after extendedly noting the wide 
field about us, covered by botany, zoology, entomology and chemistry, and 
that all could be studied in the nearest road-side thicket or neglected fence 
row, said: “Now, my friends, if you have followed me thus far, you per- 
haps have detected a decided leaning to practical results in studying the 
books we have around us. I think, if we observe closely, we shall find 
there is not nearly so much study at the present time simply to satisfy curi- 
osity as there was fifty years ago. because scientific research has all it can 
do to keep up with the practical demands of civilization. In a few weeks, 
we shall be pining for the odor of freshly turned soil, for the hum of in- 
sects and the song birds. Nature will open volumes on every side. Let 
us peruse them to the extent of our abilities.” 
Now, the question arises, how shall this wide scope of instruction be 
carried out, in an elementary way, in our common schools? Permit me 
first to present what you may consider an ideal method, although in many 
respects it is already an actuality in one or more instances; to be followed 
by suggestions of what can be done in the local district, until the present 
ideal can be attained, with a view then, doubtless, of something far better. 
Ohio has a law for the centralization of the schools in each township. 
Gustavus township, Trumbull county, of nine school districts, has been 
working under that law the past season. They have a central building, 
55x45 feet, two stories, with all modern arrangements and fixtures. There 
are eight routes and eight covered vans, with blankets and robes, with room 
for eighteen to twenty scholars each. The routes are let to the lowest re- 
sponsible bidder, who gives a bond for faithful performance of all duties 
specified, and good conduct assured. Average expense per day, $1.08. Cost 
per pupil for schooling for the year, $15.00, and many more pupils at- 
tending school than before, severally, at the nine schools. No tramping 
through the mud, snow and slush, and all are shielded from storms. Here 
we obviate the small schools of from two to twelve scholars, with short 
terms and full expense, have room and opportunity for good and well 
selected libraries, full length terms, regular school habits, as tardiness is 
abolished where there is free delivery, and much more time for additional 
studies under teachers of varied accomplishments. Good opportunities are 
here presented for the study of things pertaining to horticulture and agri- 
culture, from the most elementary step upward. 
Now, locate this building within a campus of from three to five acres, 
having, at first, a landscape gardener; lay out the space, including the play- 
grounds, walks, plats for gardening, flowers, nursery purposes for fruit and 
timber trees, shrubs, grasses and grains, vines, ornamental grasses, etc. 
Let this be done within view and hearing of all the teachers and scholars, 
with the general reasons therefor given by the gardener. Have a time each 
day in the curriculum, as for any other recitation, in or out-of-doors, ac- 
cording to the weather and circumstances, when a part or all of the scholars 
shall be taught why and how, and to do the work of setting, planting, culti-- 
