THE SCHOOL GARDEN. 



CHAPTER I. 



'* Nature is our home ; to be a stranger in it brings loss and disgrace to us." 

 A SCHOOL GARDEN TO EVERY SCHOOL. 



The degree of carefulness which a community applies 

 to the education of youth, and consequently to its pub- 

 lic schools, is the surest measure of the moral and spir- 

 itual standpoint and the political ripeness of the people. 

 The teacher's ability and independence, as well as his 

 favorable, material and social position, is a security for 

 public prosperity, culture and freedom. The public 

 school, as the planting ground of the welfare of the na- 

 tion, must therefore be the darling of the community. 

 That it is already so where the task of the school has 

 been recognized by the people, is expressed by the 

 school building itself. In every village where it is the 

 pride of the villagers, it is the most beautiful and con- 

 venient house in it. 



The school house, like the church, must be a " sa- 

 cred " place ; but it can only be so when it has a suita- 

 ble location and surroundings. It should have an 

 agreeable, well-cared for approach, a worthy exterior 



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