174 
PARK AND CEMETERY, 
attached to them. In regard to archaeological ex 
plorations, it was voted that none such should be 
undertaken on state or corporate property without 
official sanction. In reference to private holdings 
of interesting monuments or relics the resolutions 
decided that in case of peril to them the state 
should appropriate them as public property. It was 
advocated at the Paris meeting that the most effec- 
tual way to preserve monuments and works of an- 
tiquity was to labor to induce the public to take 
an interest in them. 
cANOTHER IM- When the devotees of the Board of 
’PRPVEMENT Trade of a city take up the question 
of the improvement of the town by 
ornamental and useful planting, who shall say that 
such a movement is not gathering force? Such is 
the case, however, in a prominent town in Texas, 
and the Board of Trade has invited the co-oper- 
ation of the citizens to undertake the work in what- 
ever direction it can be consistently applied. 
There would appear to be no reason whatever why 
such an established organization could not do 
effective work in town improvement. It might 
readily exercise considerable force in compelling 
the school authorities to improve the school- 
grounds, and the town authorities to clear up and 
improve the unseemly places, while its indirect in- 
fluence would go far to create a practical senti- 
ment looking to the improvement of home sur- 
roundings among the citizens generally. Its action 
would be stimulating and encouraging in many 
directions, while in practical directions it would 
have both business energy and tact to organize 
effective auxiliaries. 
THE CARE 
OF SCHOOL 
GROUNDS, ETC. 
In regard to the maintenance of 
school grounds and the other play- 
grounds designed for children in 
Chicago, financial and other questions have arisen 
and are under discussion. One of the promising 
suggestions to fit the case has been a proposition 
to enlist the services of the children themselves in 
the work of preserving order and maintaining the 
grounds, under proper supervision. Why cannot 
this be made a practical question? By imposing a 
share of responsibility upon those enjoying the 
benefits, it is possible to secure willing help in the 
desired directions. Children are born gardeners, 
and likewise delight in exercising authority. By 
enlisting the help of teachers of known ability in 
training the young, an efficient committee in every 
school could be formed for the practical work of 
caretaking, and preserving order and maintaining 
the grounds. The practical experience accumulat- 
ing of the work of the boys and the girls in gar- 
dens which have been established for their pleasure 
and profit, amply demonstrates their ability for 
such work, and it is possible that in this wa)’ of 
volunteer help a large share of expense could be 
saved and the pleasure of the young in their play- 
grounds and schoolgrcunds immensely augmented 
by the sense of responsibility imposed upon 
them. 
THE FALL Arbor Day in Pennsylvania comes 
ARBOR DAY. twice in the year due to the variations 
in climatic conditions in the state. The day set 
apart in spring does not meet prevailing condi- 
tions in an appropriate way, so that to ensure the 
advantages to be derived from fostering and en- 
couraging the improvement of the home, the farm, 
the schoolhouse yard and the public places gener- 
ally, which the ideas connected with Arbor Day 
tend to encourage, a fall Arbor Day has been the 
custom. In the proclamation issued by the gov- 
ernor concerning this later Arbor Day, which is set 
for October 19, stress is laid upon the care of the 
forest lands and their extension. Pennsylvania is 
going ahead in this direction and so is New York, 
and it is one of the mo:t important questions of the 
day on economics for every state in the union. 
cART OUT The question of art-out-of-doors is one 
OJ TOOORS. of those appealing sentiments that be- 
ing understood, rapidly secures public sympathy 
and finally becomes a social force. The effect of 
external surroundings, or natural environment, has 
always been marked in both the mental and phys- 
ical development of man, swaj ing him this way or 
that according to the nature of such surroundings; 
and it may be positively assumed that the general 
improvement of the home lot, vhelher it be 
hemmed in by city limitations or with more or less 
room as in the suburban or farm home, a corres- 
ponding improvement in the members of the com- 
munity will result. The movement is one of those 
forceful agencies that occur in certain periods of 
civilized progress, and form connecting links to 
bridge over i*^s inequalities, and so create a har- 
mony in the general development. It had to come 
sooner or later in this broad country, where the 
marvellous material growth has for the time being 
overshadowed the slower yet absolutely necessary 
accompaniments of refined living and doing. It 
would be difficult to estimate the amount of inspir- 
ation a pretty dooryard imparts to the inmates of 
the home. Be the area ever so limited wherein is 
exercised the practical love of nature, and wherein 
is displayed an appreciation of nature’s efforts at 
decoration, there is added to the daily life a cheery 
and refreshing stimulus, and the inclination is 
stirred to follow nature’s lead in a constantly re- 
newed activity in every day’s duties. 
