BEAUTIFYING GROUNDS 149 



in the corners of the grounds woiild add beaut}- and jjleasure 

 to the school surroundings. A few plots not used for play 

 or for garden may be grassed. Never scatter the trees or 

 shrubs openly about the lawn area. Better mass the shrubs 

 in natural clumps in angles or along foundations, walks and 

 borders. Use the trees along boundary lines, and division 

 lines. Xative trees and shrubs are always preferable to the 

 imported or exotic kinds. 



Planning for Arbor Day should begin early and should 

 include a number of lines of preparatory work. 



Send for a number of farmers' bulletins, first. 



Draw plans of the grounds, measuring the lines and dis- 

 tances to make it somewhat accurate. If a class is assigned 

 to this task the best map may be framed for the future use of 

 the school. A passe-partout binding, at least, may be used. 

 This map may show the plan of planting for several years, if 

 there is more to be planted than the school can do this year. 

 The walks, buildings, clumps of shrubs, trees, school garden, 

 and play grounds should all be shown. If there is time, send 

 a sketch of this to the Department of Education at the State 

 Capital or to the State Agricultural College for criticism or 

 approval. 



This work -may be done by an arithmetic class or a geog- 

 raphy class. The arithmetic class may also find suitable 

 dimensions of the corn contest plots. 



Have the reading classes begin now to read about birds, 

 gardening, trees, lawns, and weeds. Use the newer words in 

 spelling exercises. Let boys and girls both make bird houses 

 at home. These may be ready to put up on Arbor Day. 



The corn testing and seed study should begin right away. 



Trees, shrubs and seeds that are to be planted on Arbor 

 Day or soon after should be ready in advance. The roots of 

 trees and shrubs must be covered with soil to prevent drying 

 out. 



