The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-17
THE RURAL SCHOOL
A Bulletin Telling How to Make It
Attractive.
EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF TREES
1t IL Not Made as Much OF as Should
BE the Case-Other SuE-
EestiOns.

Starting out with the assumption that
g. great number of SchOolhouSeS IN the
United States lack the surroundings that
make for comfort and contentment, VIM
E. Hall, Of the bureau Of forestry IN
Washington, proceeds in an interesting
bulletin. which has just been issued from
Washington, to show how these sur
rOundings may be improved. He notes
that in the cities, even with small
grounds, there are frequently many ex-
amples of great care and attention IN the
improvement of school grounds, but In the
country, he says, an improved school
ground Is rarely found.
He does not attribute this lack Of i'm
provement to poverty, to lack OF apprecla-
ton of the elements of beauty, or to In
difference upon the part of the people 10
educational affairs; but, rather, In the
failure to see the Importance Of comfort
and beauty in education, and failure to
realize the interest Of the American youth
in the natural world around him.
He makes the strongest reason for
school ground planting the comfort OF
the teacher and pupils, the schoolhouse
left exposed to winter gales, often sub
jecting its occupants to much distress.
He holds that in nine cases out of ten
exposed schools can be rendered COM
Portable by trees planted as windbreaks.
The educational value Of the trees is also
pointed out, knowledge Of trees and
NJ '"ANAO W. SAAS
pupils and in no way SO satisfact orily
taught as by means Of actual demonstra-
ton in the planting and care Of trees.
The school is supported at public expense,
and the writer of the bulletin holds that
every element of order, neatness and
beauty, every appeal to the finer ma
e ture Of the child, means better men and
women and more thrifty, prosperous and
attractive community. ..-. Il
He notes the Importance of Arbor day,
but the results, he says have not been
marked upon the school grounds. 'Too
Often,' he says, 1.-The work has been I'M
pulsive and the interest transient. Trees
planted with ceremoniOus dignity in April,
have died of neglect before September,
and those that survived have been left
to fight unaided their battles for exis-
tence. So little attention has been paid
to the choice Of trees and to the methods
of planting, that those entirely unfit for
the situation have often been used, and
have been planted In places where they
could not receive protection while young,
or serve any useful purpose when grown.
Where an acre Of trees in solid block is
needed, only a half dozen specimens have
been planted"
He does not lose sight, however, Of the
educational advantages Of Arbor day,
even though the celebrations have been
largely exhibitions of sentiment and the
planting almost wholly unsuccessful.
Inc need OF the country school grounds
Is for the planting Of hardy trees, cared
for by such methods as will keep them
constantly thrifty. Much attention to de-
tails should be given. The planting Of
the trees should be a matter of concern
to- the entire district. A planting plan is
the first requisite, embracing a map of the
grounds and outbuildings, which may be
presented at a meeting of the patrons Of
the school at the schoolhouse, together
with a blackboard drawing illustrating
what is proposed to be done. Work should
be steadily prosecuted-it being, as the
author Of the bulletin says, "easy to
arouse the tree-planting spirit in school,
but, unless this interest has the support
of the district, 1t Is likely to wane and
anguish" AS soon as a policy of plant
ing is adopted, an experienced person
should be appointed to superintend the
preparation of the ground. the procuring
of the trees, their planting and suisse
Quent cultivation. Such services should
be paid for but are we'll worth the cost.
Purpose and method should be OBJ