CHAPTER XII 



BEAUTIFYING HOME AND SCHOOL GROUNDS 



It is a well-known and frequently observed fact that rural 

 and village homes and rural and village schools are devoid of 

 exterior decoration. liberal use of trees and shrubs and a 

 little attention to the lawns would make the present unsightly 

 places much more attractive. Farm homes sometimes depre- 

 ciate in value and are offered for sale below the value of the 

 buildings because of the unsightly premises. Houses, bams, 

 and other buUdings have not been painted. Fences are in bad 

 condition. 



A small investment in the form of money and labor in 

 trees and shrubs with which to plant the grounds will greatly 

 enhance the value of many a farm home. If the place is not 

 ff)r sale, this is no reason for delaying such planting (compare 

 Figs. 76 and 77). No one ever knows how soon a place may 

 be thrown upon the market. 



Aside from the question of market value of a place, all 

 homes and schools should be decorated for the training which 

 it will give to young people. A place of beauty is a joy 

 to the young folks during the years which they spend at 

 school and home. 



If the grounds about the school are kept neat and are 

 attractive to the eye there will be much less damage done to 

 the school property by persons of malicious disposition. The 

 moral training to be gained from the proper maintenance of 

 buildings and grounds is as important as the moral training 

 gained from the choice of a good teacher. 



Where conditions are bad the influence of a good teacher 



may be entirely overcome. Filthy out-buildings and obscene 



caricatures and words are more than enough to overcome all 



good influences. Young people constantly surrounded by such 



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