Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-25

Through the efforts of the Ken
County School Commissioners a move.
ment has been inaugurated looking
toward tbs beautifyipg of public schoo
grounds throughout the State. lht
commissioners OF New Castle and
Sussex counties have agreed to co
| operate with the Kent commissioners
and literature on the subject is being
distributed among the State schools
generally.
Rural schoolhouses frequently stand,
small and weather beaten, beside the
country road, says the Youth u Com
panion, which Is taking deep interest
In having schools throughout the coun
Try adopt lis suggestion. Many Ut the
schools, this publication says, look
about as they did 20 or 80 years ago,
although they have flag above them
now, xhioh was not there when the
men OF today were children.
How familiar the grounds about the
building sre They consist of half
or quarter OF an acre OF land, selected
possibly because 1t was good for little
else NOT tree to offer hands breadth
OF shade, or a shrub or vine to break
the niono:ony or to hide the unsightly
outhuildings. Does it seem. then, a
poor, insignificant 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. 1t IL the cradle
Of American education, 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 cohbler's boy fare alike, and grow
up to know and respect each other.
Men whose only educational advan tages
were few yeHrs on these rude benches
have won success in every department
OF human activity. At gathering of
about 300 successful business and pro-
fessional mon Of a prominent city, il
wps ascertained that about nine tenths
came from this country.
Is 1T, then, unreasonable to urge that
the rural school grounds be made more
attractive ~ the planting of trees and
shrubs? With little expense the bare
ground about the building can be con
verified into a place of beauty. The
pupils themselves, with the aid of
teachers and friends, can do 1t. Is it
not work well worth undertaking?
This Youths Companion believes that
IT is, Moreover, 1T believes that the
growth of the Imagination and ths
artistic nature will result; that the
finer sense will be developed aud the
character Of those who do the work will
be strengthened; that love of the
6eautifu will he impaired, which will
last through life, and manifest itself In
the homes which these pupils shall
build In future years.
The Youths Companion believes that
this work Of adjoining the grounds of
rural .schoolhouses is one which will,
exercise an important and lasting in.
huence for the good Of the national life.
Show this article also to your parents,
TO the school committee and to other
friends OF the school, and secure their
co Cooperation.
The Youths Companion will send to
the teacher an Atbor-day Roll of
Honor, on which to inscribe the names
Of the teacher and pupils who carry out
the WORK. In after years it will be in
teresting to read these names, and to
remember that these were the pupils
who so periodically beautified the
school grounds.
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 today in the honor
and pleasure Of einbellishing the
grounds Of the old schoolhouse.
Arbor Day will be most appro.
PIRATE time to carry out this work, as
suggested, yet any convenient day will
do. 1t is not generally known, but il
is an interesting faot that it has been
very largely through the earnest desire
and efforts of the pupils themselves
that our national flag now floats over
SO many OF our public schoolhouses, If
tine 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
huenoe for good. Some one, however,
in each school must lead in the move. |
ment Who Will win this honor in your |
schoolf The pupils must insist that the |
school grounds shall be beautified. II |
the pupils show an earnest desire TO |
carry ont this work, they are sure to
md willing helpers among the farmers
and other friends of the school. |
Women's clubs,wil always be glad to
AID you. If there is an organization II
the Changers in your town, it will feel
honored by a request for advice or
assistance.
The Youths Companion will be-
GLAD to receive suggestions, from any
source, which may result in the general
good, 1t is the purpose Of
the Youths Companion to aid ia
creating a national sentiment which
shall eventually result in the universal
oeautif OF the grounds of the rural
schools OF the United States.
In addition to the above reprint from
'he Youth 3 Companion, the school
ommissioners are sending pamphlets.
furnished by the same publication,
owing instructions as to how 10 90
ibout the work of beautifyinp the
ohool grounds, the Illustrations there
q giving a very good idea Of the effect.
md there is no doubt that the teachers
md scholars Of the Delaware schools
viii cooperate with the commissioners
o the matter and pretty school grounds
viii be the result, In writing on the
ubJect james +. Anderson of the
Sent county board, suggests that
srhor Day will be an excellent time
Q begin the work.
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