192 LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



Grass may be used to advantage about the en- 

 trance and those portions of the grounds which are 

 not devoted to play, but it is useless to attempt to 

 keep turf in good condition under children's flying 

 feet. Grass borders may nevertheless be used to 

 good advantage about the boundary-edges of the 

 play areas and shrub masses. Here they consti- 

 tute a real decorative feature, being used as a strip 

 of bright green color rather than as turf. 



It will be impossible to get much variety into the 

 economic planting, as trees and shrubs sufficiently 

 thick and hardy to serve the purpose are few. 

 The only chance for any variety will probably be 

 in the massing and handling of shapes in a large 

 way. Any flowers or flowering-shrubs should be 

 used in the decorative portions of the planting, 

 and as far away from the playgrounds as possible. 



In connection with school grounds little garden 

 plots are often laid out which are turned over to 

 the children to cultivate, and the results are sur- 

 prisingly satisfactory. The children in this way 

 obtain a first-hand knowledge of plant growth, and 

 often acquire information which is useful at home. 

 More than anything else it teaches them to take a 

 proper pride in the appearance of their surround- 



