434 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



In discussing the method of manaj^ement 

 we decided to have everything- about it as 

 simple as possible, for some of us recognized 

 the fact that success in undertakings of this 

 nature is largely dependent on simplicity and 

 directness. In order to avoid friction and 

 " running expenses," it is wise to have but 

 little machinery in a society of this kind, 

 and that of the simplest character consistent 

 with effectiveness. We dispensed with a 

 formal and elaborate " constitution " and 

 '* code of by-laws," for we did not think 

 either was needed. We simply drew up a 

 paper setting forth the object of the society 

 and the few rules we thought necessary to 

 formulate for its operation, and when we 

 had subscribed our names to it we were full- 

 fledged, active members. 



In this paper it was stated that member- 

 ship was conditional on an agreement on 

 our part to devote at least one day's work, 

 spring and fall, to the improvement of home 

 grounds, and to give one day's work, spring 

 and fall, to the improvement of public 

 grounds and vacant places belonging to 

 non-residents, if called on to do so. 



Each member pledged himself to the pay- 

 ment of one dollar semi-annually, the money 

 thus secured to constitute a general fund to 

 be drawn on in meeting the expenses at- 

 tendant on the improvement of public places. 

 We had but three officers, a president, sec- 

 retary and treasurer. It was understood 

 that the president was to have supervision 

 of all work on public places, with the power 

 of appointing such committees as might be 

 deemed necessary whenever they were 

 needed. 



At first we had not proposed to take wo- 

 men into membership, but it was suggested 

 that they had as much right in the society 

 as men had, and would, no doubt, take as 

 much interest in it, — and quite likely a good 

 deal more. Accordingly, it was unanim- 

 ously voted to admit them. 



Let me say right here, for the benefit of 



those who may decide on having an Im- 

 provement Society, that in my opinion it 

 will not be what it ought to be unless it ad- 

 mits women to membership. Let this be 

 honorary membership, if thought best, — by 

 that I mean exemption from the payment of 

 dues and the performance of manual labor — 

 but by all means let women come into the 

 society. Their opinions will be found \al-' 

 uable and helpful, and they will do much by 

 their enthusiasm to encourage good work. 



As was stated in the paper to which we 

 subscribed our names, the work of improve- 

 ment was to begin at home. We began it 

 at once. It was surprising to note what a 

 change was made in the general appearance 

 of the place by one day's work about home. 

 It seemed incredible that so much could be 

 accomplished in so short a time. We be- 

 gan to realize, then, as never before, the 

 importance of concerted action. 



Our first day's work was a valuable ob- 

 ject lesson to us. But many of our mem- 

 bers were not satisfied with one day's work. 

 They felt that entire satisfaction could only 

 come from thoroughness, and accordingly 

 they kept at it until everything about their 

 places was in apple pie order. Their efforts 

 proved contagious. Those who were not 

 members of the society caught the enthu- 

 siasm of improvement, and the good work 

 went forward on every hand. It lasted long 

 enough to enable us' to accomplish really re- 

 markable results — not remarkable, perhaps, 

 when individually considered, but quite so 

 when looked at in the aggregate. Old 

 lawns were renovated and new ones were 

 made ; trees, shrubs and vines were planted 

 and beds planned for flowers ; old fences were 

 mended and painted, some were removed ; 

 we cleaned away the rubbish which had ac- 

 cumulated everywhere because of the care- 

 less, slovenly habits we had fallen into ; — in 

 short, we did a hundred and one things 

 which I need not make special mention of 

 here, but which each member of a society 



