SECOND YEAR S WORK, LAKE CITY WOMAN S IMPR. CLUB. 2I9 



benches, this man agreeing to keep watch over them during summer 

 and to house them during winter. It might be well to say that this 

 man received the prize for the best kept lawn in his ward. 



The last evening a fine musical program was given, which at- 

 tracted the adults, and at which time also an opportunity was offered 

 for general remarks, which were quite opportune to the occasion. 

 The receipts in money were satisfactory and will enable us to carry 

 on our work in beautifying our city. 



There were about fifty more contestants than for the previous 

 year, and more girls than boys in the whole number. After the age 

 of ten or twelve the average boy, and some girls, are too unsettled 

 mentally and physically to be able to be induced to take an interest 

 in what to them seem trivial things. They are allowed more free- 

 dom at home, perhaps more correctly speaking, from home, and from 

 that time on whatever detains them within the confines of. the home 

 grounds is looked upon as a restriction upon their personal rights. 

 After that time everything they can get beyond the home is all 

 that counts in the way of work or play. This condition of mind 

 and thought is not the fault of the child, the blame is wholly with 

 the parents, who are wantonly indifferent or grossly ignorant. Upon 

 the five years after this age depend greatly the weal or woe of adult 

 Hfe. 



Although well satisfied with the result of our flower work, our 

 league deems it advisable to carry the work forward on a different 

 plan. The two years' supply of penny seeds has given the children 

 opportunity to save seed with which to continue the work if they 

 desire. We will offer prizes, but allow them to procure seed where 

 they will. 



We are after the older people now. It has been interesting to 

 note the change for the better, showing that much can be done by 

 example. Old board fences have been removed, likewise many 

 wooden sidewalks, and this necessitates keeping the lawn trim and 

 tidy. 



It is astonishing the amount of interest that is being manifested 

 all over the United States in civic improvement. When we began 

 our work about two years ago, we thought that we were almost 

 pioneers in our state. If one wants to keep abreast with the march 

 of improvement along civic lines, he should join the National Civic 

 League and read their helpful literature sent out so liberally. If 

 I am not mistaken, the American Civic Association, formerly known 

 as "The American Park and Out-Door Association" was organized 

 in Minneapolis in June, 1898, and our Mr. C. M. Loring was the 

 first president thereof. I say "our," for although his efforts may 



