Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1905-11-02
Reaatlsy the seheor Cirounas.

4
AS We drive over this fertile county
OF Union. visiting SCHOOLS, we are often.
lost Ia ,evsrie when gazing from some
hill top on the beautiful scene in The
valley below. Splendid buildings
par italy hidden among she trees Of
young forest. herds OF cattle quietly
feeding insthe luxnrisnt pastures, fields
of grain vet uncut, and best of all troops
OF children helping with the farm work
or winding their way to or from school.
We can hardly realize that o score Of
years ago many of these beautiful farms
were nothing but wild prairie and now
they rival in improvements and pre-
Effectiveness the farms of Iowa and
| Illinois. And what has brought about
these wonderful changes? A fertile
soil and an industri GUS people. We
visit one OF these we'll appointed
farms, and the good farmer takes de-
light In showing ne the fruits OF his
and his good wife's labors. He states
that he gathered the seeds that
/ brought fourth his ine grsve near the
Missouri or sent east for them, and |
say to myself, wish he had dropped
some of those seeds near the school
house mile away that his children
might eat their noon luaches in their
shade instead of being obliged TO eat
them In the stnffy school room. |
sometimes wonder II the ground given
! or purchased for school purposes is
fertile ground, but when look at the
/ lHxuriant grass or mammoth crop OF
weeds, ieel sure that all 1t needs Is
cultivation.
The aim OF every wise parent 10 to
train his children In good citizenship
and some OF the necessary things for
the training OF children who live in the
country In good citizenship are at-
tractive country homes, good country
schools, and good roads.
/, Considerable astenaion is being given
TO three Of these faCtors, but the factor
of attractive country schoo houses and
grounds is most sadly neglected In the
msjority Of districts; but am glad to
say that the last year has seen little
progress In This direction In our county,
and I earnestly believe that another
Ispring will show marked improve
ment.
Our teachers are interesied in this
matter and will do all In their power
to cooperate with the children, par
ents and officers In improving the
school grounds.
Alta recent teachers meeting this
question was thoroughly discussed, and
it was freely stated that trees had
been planted In districts and stock from
adjacent farms had destroyed them.
This convinces us that q. good fence
should be built before an attempt is
made to beautify the school grounds.
The members of our last legislature
did wise thing when they passed the
following law:
Be IL enacted by The legislature Of
the state OF south Dakota.
/ 1t is hereby made the duty Of the
officers ot every school district In the
state Of South Dakota 10 plant trees and
shrubs upon the groundsof each school
house in their district and TO en-
courage the school children to plant
such trees ard shrubs and to cultivate
and protect the same.
Where stock 10 permitted to run AZ
large II Is hereby made the duty oil the
school officers ID every district in
South Dakota to cause to be erected
about the grounds of every school
house In each district substantial
fence sufficient 10 protect the trees
upon the school house grounds from
destruction by live stock, and such
fence shall be provided with convent
leut gates on sNles.
Tree planting On school grounds will
be one Of the topics for discussion at
Jour next school officers meeting
Some bright, wide-awake officers will
lead In the discussion and no doubt
iplaas for the Improvement Of school
yards will be presented.
/ One of the problems OF our day is
how 10 keep bright, thoughtful, soci-
able, ambitious boys AM girls content
ed on the farm. Every step taken TO
make the country home more attractive
to make the school and It's grounds
more enjoyable, 10 make the way easy
TO homes Of neighbors, to school, and
to church il step taken towards keep
ling On the farm The very boys and girls
who are most apt to succeed there
| Yours fOr good schools and attractive
school grounds,
H. e. FRENCH, Co Supt.