EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 



227 



moile have considerable collections of trees, shrubs, 

 and plants attached to them * 



Note. — Although the subject of ornamental grounds 

 attached to educational institutions has arrested both 

 the attention and pens of some of our most accom- 

 plished men, every one possessed of true taste must 

 lament the want of attention hitherto paid to that de- 

 partment of education, in America ; for it should be 

 a department of our public education, as much as the 

 languages, or the sciences. Indeed, the founders of 

 most of our large institutions of learning, whether 

 through the state governments, public associations, 

 corporations, or individual munificence, have, in the 

 liberality of their endowments, and ample appropria- 

 tions of grounds, intended it — theoretically, at least; 

 but in most cases, the intention has been miserably 

 neglected in the carrying, out. Every boy — every 

 student — no matter what his proposed occupation or 

 profession in life, should, as a part of his education, be 

 taught the principles of vegetable physiology, and how 

 to plant a tree, and tend it afterward. It is scarce worth 

 while to occupy these pages with a homily on the im- 

 portance of embellishing, by the planting of trees, 

 grounds devoted to seats of learning — even the district 

 school : a thing so entirely obvious, on a thought of 

 the subject ; yet it is a truth, that in no country pro- 

 fessing to be civilized, is less attention paid to this than 

 in the United States. It is a barbarism, and for its 



* In 1840, we laid out an arboretum and miniature botanic garden, about twelve 

 acrea in extent, around Gwynn's Institution, Londonderry — an institution for the 

 maintenance and education of orphan children. There is also a small farm attached, 

 in which, as well as in the grounds, many of the children are trained to rural labor, 

 and so fitted to become useful members of society. Tho enlightened liberality which 

 has uniformly characterized this institution has rendered it a blessing to the poor, 

 which is highly and deservedly appreciated by all classes in the maiden city. 



