64 FOEESTS, WOODS, AND TREES 



the school plantations will prove of interest. When the 

 new schools at Doulton Eoad were opened on 29th November 

 1909, the ground (Fig. 9) around the buildings which 

 was not needed for play was devoted to planting. This was 

 carried out, the occasion being made an Arbor Day festival. 

 Five hundred trees were planted by the teachers, scholars, 

 and members of council, each one being labelled with the 

 name of its planter. In 1916, 7 years afterwards, the 

 trees averaged as follows : 



Poplar, 18 feet higli, 14 inches in girth at 3 feet from the ground. 

 Birch, 13 „ 7 „ „ 



Ash, 14 „ 4 „ „ 



Sycamore, 12 „ 4 „ „ 



Fig. 9, from a photograph taken in 1913, shows tlie 

 growth of this plantation. 



Mr. Teague, the head master, informs me that the 

 interest taken in the trees by the school children and their 

 parents is very marked. Observation lessons in the school 

 plantation, and in the Black Waggon plantation at some 

 distance off, are systematically carried out. These observa- 

 tions are partly meteorological, on rainfall, direction and 

 force of the wind, effects of late frost and drought. The trees, 

 fungi, and insects are studied, and lessons on geology, 

 chemistry, and hygiene are given in relation to the life of 

 the trees. The children and their parents have been quick 

 to see that, like the trees, they themselves need more light, 

 air, sunshine, and cleanliness. Habits of observation and 

 reflection are induced and fostered ; and healthy instincts 

 are implanted in the growing minds. Mr. Teague has 

 noticed a great improvement in the manners of the children, 

 whose physical health has been improved by the digging, 

 staking, and other work, as well as by the observations 

 taken in the open air in the plantations. The children 

 become less fond of exciting town amusements, like the 

 cinematograph. The civic sense has become developed ; 

 and the trees are guarded and protected by the boys, 

 supported by the public opinion of their parents. 



Mr. Evans of Wright's Lane Council School, Old Hill, 



