169 
PARK AND CCME^TCRY 
On the day set apart for this practical festivity those 
who are willing to contribute material or services will 
congregate. One or two men will plow and harrow 
the ground (if this is necessary) or otherwise prepare 
the soil ; others will collect and bring in the trees, 
shrubs, etc., which a number may set out under the 
supervision of the person who understands where they 
beiong and how they should be pruned and planted to 
insure successful growth. By this means the entire 
place may be transformed in one day by being graded, 
planted, neatly cleaned up, and a 
picnic lunch served in the school 
building would make it a pleasant 
social affair. 
The important thing is to begin 
with the plan and not with the 
plants. Block out the scheme of 
the grounds. Know definitely 
where things are to be placed and 
why they are to go in a given loca- 
tion, and then decide upon suitable 
plants for producing the desired ef- 
fects. 
In planting school grounds the 
idea is to preserve an open center 
for playgrounds. The planting 
should form a structural mass at 
the sides and back to form a frame 
and background for the area. 
Leave the center hollowy so to 
speak; put few, if any, plants on the 
side next to the front street or highway ; set a few 
shrubs of varieties that present a continuously attrac- 
tive appearance in the angles of the building, and to 
rouni,! out some of its corners, and some hardy vines, 
such as wild grape, bitter sweet and Virginia creeper 
•‘BLACKBOARD DIAGRAM” SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVING 
•‘A CHEERLESS PROSPECT.'’ 
against the end of the wood or coal shed to screen its 
un picturesque outlines; for the rest, carpet the space 
with the best turf that can be secured by proper prepa- 
ration, fertilization, good seed and attention. 
Above all things do not dot trees and plants all over 
the place. They are in the way and do not look well 
when scattered about. The small circles on the 
“Blackboard design” approximately suggest the num- 
ber and location of trees, though this is a matter that 
must be decided in each case according to conditions 
of situation and exposure. Put them where shade is 
the prime necessity. In the case of brick or stone 
A CHEERLESS PROSPECT. 
buildings, self-climbing vines, such as varieties of 
Ampelopsis that climb by “little feet,” as the children 
call them, instead of by tendrils, may be used on the 
building itself, but it is not well to use vines on frame 
school buildings. Frances Copley Seavey. 
NOTES. 
The Morgan Park Improvement Society celebrated 
its second annual “Morgan Park Day” in September 
with a forenoon devoted to a series of interesting 
athletic contests with numerous prize attachments, 
and an afternoon program consisting of addresses and 
music. It was strictly a field day — the entire day being 
spent i’.’ the open air, a plan greatly favored by all, in- 
cluding the Chicago weather man. Mr. Thomas Mc- 
Grath, of Blue Island, Prof. Chas. Zeublin, of Chicago 
University, and Mr. Kenfield, president of the society, 
were the speakers, all of whom were well received. 
Prof. Zeublin’s remarks on the subject of “Public 
Beauty” were considered so apt and practical that the 
society intends to use the entire address in the form 
of a tract in carrying out its improvement missionary 
work. 
Altogether the society feels that its position is as- 
