New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-13
BEAUTIFUL SCHOOLYARDS.


Attention is directed by Garden and For
est, TO the barren and unattractiyc surround
ings Of American sChOolhOuScS. The same
journal has been making useful and highly
practical suggestions respecting the Ornamental
ton Of railway station grounds and the regula-
ton Of individual caprices and human vagancS
in the Disagreement Of cemeteries; and 1t now
takes UP with equal good sense the neglected
Fairgrounds in which school-Childrcn spend so
many hours in tho course Of n year. While
admitting that large school gardens, such as
Mr.. Chase. OF Roxbury, recently recommended
as an educational auxiliary in some branches Of
natural science arc not practicable in large
cities, il contends that something can be done
even when the space is contracted. This cannot
be denied. The smallest school-yard in the centre
Of a crowded town at least can be redeemed
from n bare and nSghtly aspect. With pains
taking effort narrow border close to the walls
can be frightened with flowers the greater part
Of the year; luXuriant vines can be tranen
from the ground to the roof and window
boxes with plants can be arranged and kept
in order without difficulty. Where there Is
| more space out Of doors a carefully selected
| series Of shrubs can be depended upon to i'm
mart color and freshness 10 tho school grounds
from month 20 month These suggestions arc
practical, and are enforced by the obvious moral
that il is as important for children TO receive
lessons in ordcrlincSS and natural beauty outside
| the doors as within the SchOol-rOOmS.
The ready objection will he offered that
| schooI-childrn arc destructive little barbnrians
who enjoy trampng on flowers and inJnring
shtubbcry, and that 1t is impossible 20 train
them to respect and care for the surroundings
Of the buildings. This is a favoritc argument
with INDECENT teachers who assume that in
herent depravity forms the Suhsol OF the child
nature. and that it is impracticablo t" enlist
! the sympathy and support OF their scholars IN
| keeping the school grounds in order. Inc an
| syvcr TO this objection is that neglect and heed
lcssneSs on the part Of the teachers nnd officers
of a school inevitably promote indifference on
the part Of the children. Let the importance
and advantages Of having tho grounds as udy'
orderly and attractive "a the interior OF tho
building be enforced by the teachers and the
children will quickly learn 10 take pleasure ana
| nride in the school- gardens. In the public
parks great masses Of variegated bloom are
unmolested by boys and girls playing around
! than. This IS because there are signs OF order
Illness and care and sense Of rcircshmcnt TO
the ewes which make an impression on the chill
dren's minds. 1t will not be difficult to cd
ucatc schoolbOys to respect foWer-borders'
window.boxes, vines and shrubbc1y' II teach
ers themselves will display intelligent interest
and affection for the school-glrdens.
When the grounds about chool-bmldinc
are Of considerable size a great educational
field can be opened by teachers who know some
thing Of botany plant-growt and forestry
Mr.. ChaSe's ideal SCHOOL, yard includes an out
door gymnasium and an area OF lawn ana
flowcr-bordcrs planted with trcos' shrubs vines
and plants Of the widest possible variety. Such
surroundings can be employed to the highest
advantage in cultivating in children faculties
Of observation, and in imparting elementary
ideas Of natural science. How many t"achrrN
are there who caro- for these things or are quail
fled to instruct children in The laws OF plant
growth? We apprehend that there arc com
paratively few who do not need an elementary
education in botany and forestry. The begin
ming Of this educ reform really lies with
the teachers themselves.