98 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



ber, Diit inconsiderable in size. Most of them succumb 

 to various casualties before the end of term time, and the 

 remainder die of neglect during vacation. If the same 

 work were ai)plied to the planting of one or two large 

 trees, — twelve, fifteen or twenty feet high, with suffi- 

 ciently good roots, — the chances of success, under the 

 circumstances, would be greater. 



Shrubs can be used to advantage on school grounds 

 along back boundaries, especially against fences. Good, 

 thrifty native species, like dogwood, hawthorn, and 

 even the wild bramble, will add greatly to the looks of 

 the premises by relieving them of that cheerless, depress- 

 ing barrenness which too commonly characterizes the 

 schoolhouse lot. Attention will need be given that 

 such shrubbery borders do not become unsightly by the 

 accumulation of litter, but no other special care or cul- 

 tivation will be required. 



One often hears it argued, how nice and proper it 

 would be to grow flowering plants and plants of eco- 

 nomic interest on the school grounds. There is a very 

 sufficient multitude of reasons why this is seldom possi- 

 ble, but the idea is admirable and one to be encour- 

 aged. If such good things seem to be within reach, the 

 garden beds will best be put along the back and side 

 borders. It is possible in such situations, and under 

 favorable conditions, to cultivate narrow bods, laid out 

 in a manner to be out of the way of most of the romp- 

 in p^ play which occupies the main grounds. But for all 

 such plantings the hardy perennials are to be recom- 

 mended above the annuals, other things being equal. 



The great difficulties in the way ought not to 

 deter school boards, teachers and patrons from using 

 their best efforts to ameliorate, as much as possible, the 

 uninviting blankness of the ordinary school grounds, 

 especially in view of the very manifest desirability of 

 such improvement. 



