112 The Transformation of the Rural School 



In order to carry out the suggestions given by 

 Professor Dickens, why not organize a general rally, 

 perhaps on the occasion of Arbor Day, and all hands 

 join in preparing and planting the school grounds to 

 suitable shade trees, shrubs, and the like ? The play- 

 grounds could also be laid out and equipped on this 

 occasion. Then, after this excellent start has been 

 made, have the school board appoint some reliable 

 man as caretaker of the grounds with payment of 

 reasonable wages for what he does. Thus the good 

 beginning will not be lost. 



A MODEL RURAL SCHOOL 



The State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, 

 has built and equipped a model rural school for use in 

 practical demonstration work. President John R. 

 Kirk gives a detailed description of this building in 

 Successful Farming (April, 1911) as follows : 



"This schoolhouse has three principal floors. The 

 basement and main floor are the same size, 28 X 36 

 feet, outside measurement. The basement measures 

 8 feet from floor^to ceiling. Its floor is of concrete, 

 underlaid with porous tile and cinders. The base- 

 ment walls are of rock and concrete, protected by 

 drain tile on outside. The basement has eight com- 

 partments. 



"1. Furnace room, containing furnace inclosed by 

 galvanized iron, also double cold air duct with elec- 

 tric fan, also gas water heater. 



