332 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



a vertical section, showing a properties-room, P beneath 

 the stage, and a vestibule, V, for entrance from the rear; 

 and C is the end of a row of seats. In the floor plan T, T, T, 

 -etc., indicate the trunks of high-crowned trees, left standing 

 to furnish shade. The artificialities of the plan are such only 

 as are necessary: comfortable seats, conveniently arranged, 

 and a good stage. These are made of cement on ribbed metal 

 lath, plastered on both sides and colored green or gray or 

 -brown. The sylvan picture round about is carefully pre- 

 served. The aisles are grass paths. Under the seats are beds 

 -of violets. Greensward masks the stage and low evergreens 

 define front and rear stage entrances. A bank of tall ever- 

 greens furnishes a background at the rear of the stage. All 

 around are trees for shade. A rising turf covered bank at 

 the rear of the seats provides for overflow on great occasions, 

 ,the limit of capacity being set by a bank of evergreens fronted 

 -with thorny barberry. Vines added for grace, and flowering 

 ; trees and shrubs for color are used to fill surrounding niches. 

 Thick walls of verdure round about exclude outside distrac- 

 tions. Grass paths of ample width, well defined by border 

 plantings, give easy access, and invite pedestrians to keep 

 roff the other vegetation. 



No community will long gather in such places without 

 coming to feel an interest in the wild things. By the posses- 

 sion and use of such outdoor places, the public may be 

 .-educated in the appreciation of nature. 



