OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT 329 



Suppose a bridge is to be built. Everybody knows that 

 an old bridge, settled in the midst of clumps of greenery and 

 spanning a clear stream makes a beautiful picture. A new 

 bridge looks otherwise: it rises starkly from a sea of mud, 

 joins two new-born dump heaps. For, when a bridge is built, 

 usually just enough money is appropriated to do the necess- 

 ary excavating, to dispose of the dirt in the easiest way and 

 to put up the bridge itself : nothing is available for restoring 

 beauty to the place. What are the things needed for this ? 

 Willows by the waterside : filmy pale green small-leaved wild 

 willows, to nestle in soft masses by the abutments : elms and 

 sycamores to cover the rising slopes; or vines, if the dump be 

 of broken stone : swamp iris or water shamrock to cover the 

 bare mud things that do not cost a cent for they may be 

 found in nature's wild nurseries ; things that will grow with- 

 out any coddling, that need only proper planting in short 

 the things that grow wild in such places. These will restore 

 the beauty of the place in the minimum of time, and with 

 the least expense. In the course of years, nature, if not 

 prevented, will restore these things herself: but the effect 

 will be better, and the desired results will be attained much 

 more quickly for a little intelligent aid. 



So, roadsides, that are considered "finished" when a 

 roadbed is secured, may be refurnished : level filled lands may 

 be made fresh green meadows, instead of being allowed to 

 become wildernesses of weeds : slopes disfigured with stumpage 

 may be reforested. It should be the privilege of the natural- 

 ist to enlist public spirited folk in the promotion of such bet- 

 terments. It will help the good name of his community. 



The greater the number of people who can be got to 

 participate in this work, the better it will be established in 

 public opinion: the more children helping, the better its 

 results will be insured against future vandalism. About 

 schools and colleges, things should be planted, not solely 



