AWAKENING AN INTEREST 



Before anything is done toward improving the grounds, it is best to 

 try to awaken an interest in the pupils and in the older members of the 

 community. You will work against odds if you undertake to work 

 alone. It may require tact and patience, but the friends of the school 

 must be brought to a desire to improve the school grounds, to take pride 

 in them, and to wish to help in making them beautiful. Do not despair 

 if this is difficult of attainment. It has always been so. 



We would begin something like this, assuming that the yard is fenced. 

 If it is not, then the teacher will have a little harder task. Let the 

 teacher decide to celebrate an Arbor Day by planting some trees or 



shrubs and having any other exercises 

 he likes. The first thing he will do, 

 of course, is to talk to the trustees 

 about it. They will say that they are 

 very busy; that they have tried plant- 

 ing trees before; and that they do not 

 believe it will pay. Let their excuses 

 go in at one ear and out at the other. 

 Keep after them, judiciously of course, 

 but don't take Ct No" for an answer. 

 They are patient men. at least all the 

 trustees we know are. Get their wives 

 and other women of the neighborhood 

 interested. Find out where trees which 

 will grow in that particular section can 

 be obtained, and plan some way to get some. Plan for a basket lunch 

 with the children at noon. Get some of the men to promise to come 

 and dig holes for the trees. Get some one to bring three or four barrels 



of water, if there is not sufficient water at the r i 



schoolhouse to give each hole a half barrel, and 

 each tree a half barrel after it is planted. 



A plan of the grounds should always be made 

 before any work is done, and on this plan should 

 be indicated the exact spots for planting trees, 

 shrubs, vines, and flowers. The first thing to locate, 

 however, is sufficient playground for the children. 

 The latter must always have room to run and play, 

 and must never feel restricted by the too near pres- 

 ence of flowers and shrubs. But even after large 

 clear play spaces have been set aside you will find 

 ample room for ornamentation. Then plan with care 

 and for years to come. Trees and shrubs are so slow 

 of growth that no mistakes in original planting can 

 be afforded. 



