SUGGESTIONS. 



the door to be shaded in time with trees, is a very de- 

 sirable adjunct to this border as given in the accom- 

 panying plan. It will be delightful to the children to 

 have a seat on the grass-plot, where they can eat their 

 lunch at recess, and rest occasionally from their light 

 garden work. An hour a day, including recess, can be 

 given to this work under the superintendence of the 

 teacher ; and soon, doubtless, the children will visit it 

 and work in it out of school hours, especially those who 

 reside near. A day or an afternoon set apart occasion- 

 ally for visiting the woods in search of plants will soon 

 fill the borders, and annuals can be planted at pleasure. 

 Trees in the corners of the yard and vines over the 

 walls, will make it a charming field of labor for the 

 pupils ; and we will venture to predict that if the 

 teachers make the most of such beginnings, it will not 

 be long before larger domains are provided, and com- 

 plete school gardens created here as in Austria. No 

 one can read Dr. Schwab's treatise without feeling con- 

 vinced of the utility of this plan both for instruction 

 and happiness. Some persons have suggested that van- 

 dalism will destroy such gardens ; but I think better of 

 human nature. I would not venture yet to cultivate 

 fruits. We must wait for this till school gardens are 

 protected by the authorities, or till the cultivated tastes 

 of the people do the work. But the cultivation of flow- 

 ers and flowering shrubs will subdue the temptations of 

 appetite, which we know poor human nature cannot re- 

 sist. Under paternal governments, like that of Austria, 

 it is easy to make sudden changes of this sort ; but 

 Where, as in our country, every thing waits for the im- 

 provement of public opinion, we must be content to 

 wait for fruit trees in school gardens. 



