The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-04
SUGGESTION FoR ARBoR DAY.
Outline OF = Plan to Beautify Rura
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 arei They consist of q half or
quarter of an acre of land. selected pos
sibly because 1t was good for nothing else
mot a tree to offer hands breadth of
shade, or a shrub or vine to break the
monotony or to hide the unsightly out
buildings. Does 1t seem. then a poor, un-
significant thing, this plain little building
in its patch of barren ground?
1t Is the most tremendously significant
thing in the whole history of the United
States. It is the cradle OF American ed
ucation, the nursery which has always
fostered, and still fosters, the national
doctrine of equal rights for ALL
Under its roof the judges son and the
cobbler's boy fare alike. and grow up to
know and respect each other Men whose
only educational advantages were a few
years on these rude benches have won
success In every department of human
activity. At gathering OF about 300 sue
cessful business and professional men of
prominent city, IL was ascertained that
about nine-tenths came from the country.
Is 1t, then. unreasonable to urge that
the rural school grounds be made more
attractive by the planting of trees and
ground about the building can be con-
verted into place of beauty The pupils
themselves. with the aid of teachers and
woraS The nes Terk cSm
panion believes that II is. Moreover. 1t
believes that the growth of the magma
ton and the artistic nature will result
that the finer sense will be developed and
the character of those who do the work
will be strengthened: that love Of the
through life, and manifest itself in the
homes which these pups shall build in
future years.
The Youths Companion believes that
this work of adjoining the grounds Of ru-
raj schoolhouses 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. II they were
made acquainted with your plans. would
be glad to share with the pupils OF to-
day In the honor and pleasure OF embel-
fishing the grounds OF the old school
house.
Arbor day will be most appropriate
time to carry out this work, as suggested,
vet any convenient day VIII do. IL Is not
generally known, but II Is an interesting
fact that Il 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. II the pupils Of our rural
schools Will now take UP the work OF
beautifying the school grounds with trees
and shrubs, the movement can be made
as popular and as far-reachlng IN It's in
fiuence for good.
Some one. however IN each school must
lead In the movement The pupils must
insist that the school grounds shall be
beautifed. III 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
Women's clubs VIII always be glad TO aid
YOU. IL there is an organization OF the
Changers In your town. Il viii feel hon
ored by request for advice or assistance
II Is the purpose OF the Youths Com
timent which shall eventually result IN
the universal heautifying OF the grounds
OF the rural schools OF the United States
Youths Companion,