120 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1892. 



We are cognizant of the fact that our school-yards are limited 

 in space and but little can be spared for this work, but is it ask- 

 ing too much that one tenth of the area be appropriated to this 

 work? And all this space can be taken in the bordei's, or in the 

 corners so as not to interfere with the playground, for no one 

 would interfere with all that is necessary to develop the physical 

 nature and the enjoyment of our outdoor games and pastimes. 

 The open space allowed for this exercise and pleasure can be 

 made much more enjoyable, if protected by suitable shade which 

 can be secured in a large measure by planting trees around and 

 near the border-line of the enclosure ; and as these trees will 

 take room above the heads of the children, their available area 

 for sport is not diminished in the least. If a strip varying in 

 width from five to ten feet along the borders, or in close prox- 

 imity to the building, can be taken for the dwarf-growing trees 

 and flowering shrubs, a most pleasing efifect can be produced 

 and the large variety to select from that are indigenous to this 

 climate will afford a choice assortment of color in flower and 

 leaf and continual bloom during the season. 



We have reason to take pride in our finely-constructed school- 

 buildings, their pleasing architectural design and effect, their 

 location and adaptability for instructive purposes. 



Let us hope that the work so happily inaugurated in embel- 

 lishing the grounds around them may continue and that the 

 example so prominently placed before us in our Normal- 

 school grounds, and that the inspiration of their Arbor Day 

 observance may prove lasting, so that teachers who graduate 

 therefrom, as well as those now in the service, may be earnestly 

 devoted to their noble work till every school-yard shall be made 

 to possess, in small measure at least, these attractive surround- 

 ings, that conduce to the greater refinement and higher moral 

 sentiment of our children. 



