PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION I. 601 



The windows should have large inside sills for pot-plants and 

 germinating experiments. 



Where there is more than one floor some deadening material 

 should be used to prevent the conduction of sound. 



The door should be in line with the teacher's left, open out- 

 wards, and be hinged on the far side of the children. This allows 

 oi the teacher being the first to see any one entering. 



The dual desks should be placed in four columns, six in each, 

 with alleyways of at least 18 inches between columns and between 

 the right column and the wall, and a space of about 4 feet between 

 the left column and the wall. This latter arrangement allows 

 of plenty of light reaching the desks between the windows. 



The corners of the room should be utilized for presses, upon 

 which pretty plaster statues or vases covild be suitably placed. 



Blinds are used to regulate the amount of light that is to 

 enter the room (coloured or frosted glass is most unsuitable for this 

 purpose). When down they prevent the free entrance of air, on a 

 windy day they are blown in or out as the case may be, and wear 

 out long before their time. 



Venetians are better, but collect dust and are liable to get out 

 of order, in which case they are very seldom repaired. 



As the greater amount of light enters from the upper portion 

 of the window, ordinary blinds prevent a proper regulation. If 

 pulled down, say half or two-thirds, horizontal rays enter and try 

 the eyes of both teacher and children. Blinds should be reversed 

 and work from below upwards. Better still would be the substitu- 

 tion of screens hinged on to the sides of the window. These would 

 not interfere with ventilation and would afford a better, more eco- 

 nomical, and cleaner means of regulating the light. Such screens 

 could be made of thm steel, as is used in the Wunderlich metal 

 ceilings. 



Glazed partitions are unsatisfactory on account of the reflec- 

 tions, which are always trying to the eyes. Their cleaning causes 

 unnecessary labour. All the glass of such partitions should be 

 frosted, and only the lower panes kept clear for supervision. 



Open fireplaces are wasteful, cause draughts and short circuit 

 air currents. 



Stoves are better for heating purposes, and should be well placed 

 against the wall behind the teacher. 



