ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGIONS 191 



forlorn and ugly in appearance. After a lapse of 

 several years, he has again seen these towns con- 

 taining a growth of shade trees, bushes and flowers. 

 This is an indication of what can be done if there 

 is an inclination to improve appearances. Here as 

 elsewhere the important thing for the landscape- 

 gardener to do is to teach persons to see and ap- 

 preciate natural beauty. He should also point out 

 the attractive local features, designating how these 

 can be taken advantage of or improved, and stimulate 

 that action on the part of the inhabitants which 

 will give them a feeling of satisfaction and pride in 

 their surroundings. It is certainly a satisfactory 

 state of affairs when each one can think his own 

 locality the best one in the world in which to live. 

 Let the western woman continue to admire the 

 bare plains and mountains which to eastern eyes 

 often seem dreary and forbidding, but point out to 

 her how touches of growth here and there near her 

 house may enhance the mountain view and make 

 her immediate surroundings home-like and attractive. 



