The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-04-12
Be.ut,ty the School Grounds.

Rural schoolhouses frequently stand,
small and weather beaten, beside the
country road. Many of them look about
as they did twenty five or fifty years ago,
although they have flag above them
now which was not there when the men
of to- day were children.
How familiar the grounds about the
building are! They onsist of half or
quarter Of an acre of land, selected posi-
bly because it was good for little else-not
tree to offer a hands breath of shade,
or shrub or vine to break the monotony
or to hide the unsightly outbuildings.
Does it seem, then, poor, insignificant
thing, this plain little building in it's
patch of barren ground?
1t is the most tremendously significant
thing in the whole history of the United
, States. 1t is the cradle Of American
education, the nursery which has always
fostered. and still fosters, the national
doctrine of equal rights for all.
Under the roof the judges son and the
cobblers boy fare alike, and grow up to
know and respect each other. Men whose
only educational advantages were few
years on these rude benches have won
success in every department of human
! activity At gathering of about three
hundred successful business and profess
sional men of a prominent city, it was
ascertained that about nine teuths came
from the country.
Is it, then, unreasonable to urge that
the rural school grounds be made more
attractive by the planting of trees and
shrubs? With little expense the bare
ground around the building can be convert
ed into place of beauty. The pupils
themselves, with the aid of teachers and
friends can do it. Is it not work we'll
worth undertaking? The Youths Com
panion believes it is. Moreover, it be-
lieves that the growth of the imagination
and the artistic nature will result; that
| the finer sense will be developed and tn
character of those who do the work wi IL
| be strengthened; that love of the beauti-
| full will be impaired which will last
| through life, and manifest itself in the
homes which these pupils shall build in
| future years.
The Youth Companion believes that
this work of adjoining the grounds of III
raj school houses is one which will exer
else an important and lasting influence for
the good of the national life.
From almost every rural school have
gone forth into the world men and women
who have won success in life. We are
very sure that many of these, if they were
made acquainted with your plans, would
be glad to share with the pupils of to-day
| in the honor and pleasure of embellishing
the grounds of the schoolhouse.
Arbor day will be most appropriate
time to carry out this work, as suggested,
yet any convenient day will do. 1t is not
generally known, but it is an interesting
| fact, that it has been very largely through
the earnest desire and efforts of the pu-
pills themselves that our national flag
now floats over so many of our public
| schoolhouses. If the pupils of our rural
schools will now take up the work of
identifying the school grounds with trees
and shrubs, the movement can be made
as popular and as far reaching in its in
| t1uence for good.
| Some one, however, in each school must
lead in the movement. Who will win
this honor in your school? The pupils
must insist that the school grounds shall
be beautified. If the pupils show an
earnest desire to carry out this work, they
are sure to find willing helpers among the
farmers and other friends of the school.
Woman's clubs will always be glad to aid
you. If there is an organization of the
Changers in your town, it will feel hon
ored by request for advice or assistance.
1t is the purpose of The Youths Com
panion to aid in creating national senti-
ment which shall eventually result in the
| universal identifying Of the grounds of
| the rural schools of the United States.
| Youths Companion.