Public interest in home and rural adornment is rapidly increasing in Connec- 

 ticut, where some fifty assoeiations for Village Improvement have been already 

 organized. A little foresight wiU show that no community can afford to be 

 without such an association. This good work should go on till not a school 

 house, dwelling or street is left without the simple and grand adornment of 

 shade trees, or shrubbery, vines, flowers or lawn. In many towns such organi- 

 zations have already done incalculable good in promoting public health, culti- 

 vating public spirit, quickening social and intellectual life, and enhancing the 

 value of real estate. I shall be happy to cooperate with pubHc-spirited citizens 

 who are moving in this matter, and will lecture on this subject without charge 

 either for services or expenses in any town in Connecticut. Tree -planting, 

 both economic and ornamental, commands new attention year by year. These 

 papers, reprinted from an official Eeport, retain a few local allusions to show 

 the original aim of the writer and the apphcation of kindred plans and prin- 

 ciples to other fields. 



CONTENTS. 



Tree Planting, - - - - - - - - 3 



Schools of Forestry, 33 



Industrial Schools, - - - - - - - - 50 



Education and Labor, - - - - - - 61 



What Boys are Reading, 65 



Wliat Should our Boys Read ? - - - - - - 11 



Compulsory Education in England, - - - - - - t5 



Schools and Communism, - 81 



Schools and Pauperism, 85 



National Schools, - 90 



Decennary of Free Schools, - - - - - - - 95 



Neglected Children, - - , . . - . lOO 



French Yiews of American Schools, ' - - - - - 103 



Clinton Rural Improvement Association, - - - - 124 



.r easier ivctm 



