Qivie Jmprovement 



A DEPARTMENT DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 

 SOCIETIES OF ONTARIO, AND OF ALL OTHER BODIES INTERESTED 

 IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF OUR 

 CANADIAN TOWN AND COUNTRY HOMES. 



CIVIC IMPEOVEMENT 



WORK FOR LEAGUES— SUGGESTIONS TO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES, 

 SCHOOL BOARDS, FAIR BOARDS AND CLUBS— DANGERS OF DIRT. 



ANOTHER good work for leagues to 

 undertake is to arouse the interest 

 of the school children in botany 

 and a general love of flowers by inducing 

 state and county fair boards to offer prem- 

 iums for the best display of potten plants 

 and cut flowers grown by pupils of the pub- 

 lic schools. The prize should go to the 

 school and the moneys should be spent for 

 something all the pupils may enjoy. A 

 premium for the best botanical display and 

 the most comprehensive collection of 

 grasses native to the state or county might 

 be given to the individual pupil. 



One association exhibited at its county 

 fair a miniature cottage with vine-clad 

 porch and pretty window boxes, the tiny 

 lawn and flower beds were as neat as hands 

 could make them, and all the necessary out- 

 buildings were designed with an eye lo 

 adornment. When what the ladies in- 

 tended to do became known offers of assist- 

 ance came from every direction. The car- 

 penters, painters and other workmen had a 

 good time over the work. 



By the side of this was built another 

 miniature house, without adornment. A 

 weedy yard- no vines, no flowers, old un- 

 painted buildings, untidy fence, and old 



board walks made a lesson all could read. 



These tiny cottages were the great at- 

 traction of the fair. It was difficult to get 

 near them, and finally a "wire had to be 

 stretched around them to prevent their ut- 



H«ine. 



liOdslDSS." 



Fig. 2646 



