Xo. 4.] ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENT. 283 



thickl}' on their sides such climbing plants as the Virginia 

 creeper, honej^sucklcs of strong-growing varieties, trumpet 

 vine, the small flowering clematis and the woodbine. 

 Most of the plants mentioned are also suitable for covering 

 barren or rocky places. Unsightly mounds, old stumps and 

 tree trunks can be made beautiful ]iy very little care and at 

 slight cost, and may become among the pleasing features of 

 a roadside. A striking feature may be added to road adorn- 

 ment by sowing the seeds of wild flowers where grass does 

 not readily take root, as along sandy waysides, where very 

 satisfactory results may be obtained by sowing lupine seeds. 

 With the improvement of the roadsides would naturally 



come the removal of the great advertising sig-ns which dis- 

 cs o o 



figure so many streets and public places, Massachusetts has 

 taken the lead in road building ; and let us, as the State 

 Board of Agriculture, take the lead in roadside improve- 

 ments. Let this Board recommend that some part of the 

 bounty received from the State hy the several agricultural 

 societies be offered as a premium for the best roadside im- 

 provement. If this was taken up, as I believe it should be' 

 by every society in the State, what a great change it would 

 make in the roadsides of our State. 



