84 The Nature-Study Idea 



grounds; (2) the making of distinct gardens 

 for purposes of direct instruction, or school- 

 gardening proper. Much of the current dis- 

 cussion does not distinguish these two ideals, 

 and thereby arises some of the loss of effort and 

 effectiveness in the movement. 



Improvement of the school- grounds 



Every school-ground should be picked up, 

 cleaned up and made fit for children to see. 

 There are three stages in the improving of 

 any ground: Cleaning up; grading and seed- 

 ing; planting. 



To improve the school-grounds should be a 

 matter of neighborhood pride. It is an expres- 

 sion of the people's interest in the things that 

 are the people's. We are ashamed when our 

 homes are not fit and attractive for children to 

 live in; but who cares if at the school the fence 

 is tumble-down, the wood or coal scattered over 

 the yard, the clapboards loose, the chimneys 

 awry, the trees broken, the outhouses sagged 

 and yawning? 



The first thing to do is to arouse the public 



