IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS. 385 



I have heard it said that lilacs and such flowering shrubs should 

 not be used on school grounds, as the children will pull them all to 

 pieces to rob them of their blooms ; but if they are tempted that way 

 it is certainly a chance to teach them a wholesome lesson of self- 

 restraint. At the East Side school referred to the boys this spring 

 set out a long stretch of lilac hedge, and I venture to say if the 

 ■occasion demands the lesson will be taught without calling on the 

 principal to exercise her authority, unless it be to keep the peace. 



Vines are among the most valuable accessories in ornamental 

 plantings and will be of much help in covering outbuildings or mak- 

 ing screen by training on trellises. On the building proper, if of 

 wood, it may be difficult to use them very freely on account of being 

 in the way in painting and, perhaps, rotting the woodwork ; but if 

 the building be of brick or stone they are just what we need to cover 

 the bare wall. One of our native varieties of creeper, Engelman's 

 woodbine, from its habit of grow'th, clinging directly to the masonry 

 without aid of twine or trellis, is of greatest value in this direction. 



In addition to simplicity one other thing should characterize the 

 ideal school grounds, and that is neatness, and if the scholars can be 

 led to enforce that, not only in the front yard but in the back, a most 

 important lesson has been taught. 



I have made three sketches to illustrate what may be done in the 

 way of simple treatment of school grounds : the first shows the sur- 

 roundings of a small building in a rural district ; the second the 

 grounds of a more pretentious structure occupying a block in 

 some town or village ; the last is not entirely imaginar}^ as it is a 

 plan that has actually been carried out for a city school. In these 

 drawings I have endeavored to carry out the principles before set 

 forth, with what success the reader must judge. 



Mr. Chas. M. Loring : I think there should be as little grass on 

 the school ground as possible. The finest playgrounds I ever saw 

 were right in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world. 

 There were trees and shrubs and plenty of shade, and the children 

 were allowed to run all over it, and they enjoyed it. I believe in 

 having all the room possible for them to run and play and romp. 

 I believe in educating children, and if we educate them along these 

 lines when they become the grown people they will carry out 

 the ideas taught them while young. The plans Mr. Nutter has 

 shown are very good, and I think they would be of advantage to 

 those living in smaller towns to copy from. We do not pay enough 

 attention to ornamenting our school grounds, neither in the city 

 nor in the country. A great deal has been done in the city through 

 the influence of the different associations of which Mrs. Barnard 

 spoke, and that work is going on. I have visited a great many of 

 the schools myself, and I feel satisfied that the children are learning 



