132 A?inals of Horticulture. 



land. The advantages it presents are numerous and important. 

 The traveler could instantly compute distances and acquire 

 directions. The numbers on the gate-posts or over the doors 

 would be mile-stones. Country directories could be published. 

 Mileage of jurymen could be calculated. But above all, it 

 would quicken communication and intercourse in the country. 

 It would be a powerful civilizer. 



"To make this feasible, a system of naming country roads 

 must be inaugurated, and this, too, our California friends are 

 perfecting. In Contra Costa county, lying against San Fran- 

 cisco, are such charming bits as the following : Contra Costa 

 Highway, running through the county and striking the county 

 seat ; Rio Vista, Mountain Drive, Willow Pass Road, Golden 

 Gate Way, Lime Ridge Crossing, Stanley Road, and the like. 

 We know of nothing so good as this since the efforts of dear 

 old Jacob Bigelow in naming the famous walks and drives of 

 Mount Auburn. 



"All this could add much charm to the country, for it would 

 personify nature, commemorate events, and localize senti- 

 ments." 



The extent to which this movement has been carried is told 

 in a late issue of the California Fruit Grower : * 



"Contra Costa county has in the last few months become 

 famous throughout the United States, on account of its bold 

 and original movement to name all the roads and number the 

 residences in the county. So general has been the interest 

 awakened in the scheme that several states and numerous 

 counties are preparing plans and estimates for systematically 

 introducing and adopting the same plans. Even foreign pa- 

 pers have commented favorably and have advised the local 

 adoption of the Contra Costa scheme entire, or in more or less 

 modified form. The good people of Contra Costa county cer- 

 tainly have every reason to feel proud of the enviable notoriety 

 thus obtained. It has taken the people themselves quite a 

 while to become thoroughly imbued with the necessary en- 

 thusiasm for the successful carrying out of this new and gene- 

 rally beneficial measure. The work is now, however, nearl}^ 

 completed. 



"The roads are all located and names listed and such ap- 

 proximate estimates made as are necessary, and the whole is 



*VoI. vii. 387 (Dec. 20, 1890). 



