TOWN COMMON 
the maple are the best trees for use on all town commons. Also 
it is better to use only one of these species on any given tract, as a 
mixture of species never gives as clean, unified, and dignified a 
result. Evergreen trees of any kind should be used very rarely. 
While plantings should by preference be given a somewhat formal 
arrangement, they should be restricted mainly to the borders and 
corners of the area, leaving the center open. 
Plantings of shrubbery on commons are usually unfortunate. 
They catch blowing newspapers and other waste; they are as apt 
to appear untidy as to enhance the ornamental effect; they may ob- 
struct the view seriously, especially at angles where automobile 
traffic centers; they are very seldom given the care necessary to 
keep them in good conditions. 
Flower beds of any kind are even less admissible in schemes for 
improving the common. Only in the most exceptional cases can 
they be really successful. 
New Commons 
Practically all of our New England town commons were estab- 
lished years ago for purposes which no longer exist, yet it seems a 
fair surmise that all these open spaces are more highly prized today 
than when they were first set aside. It is a fair question then 
whether a patriotic and far-sighted view would not demand of us 
that we in this generation make some similar provision for the 
future. Our towns and villages are thriving. Many of them are 
growing rapidly. New villages and neighborhood centers are form- 
ing. We ought to do for them at least as much as our Indian- 
‘harassed forefathers did for us. The opening of new common 
spaces is a question to be most seriously considered in a number of 
communities. Very careful preliminary studies will obviously be 
necessary in any project of this sort. 
189 
