OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT 329 
Suppose a bridge is to be built. Everybody knows that 
an old bridge, settled in the midst of clumps of greenery and 
spanning a clear stream makes a beautiful picture. A new 
bridge looks otherwise: it rises starkly from a sea of mud, 
joins two new-born dump heaps. For, when a bridge is built, 
usually just enough money is appropriated to do the necess- 
ary excavating, to dispose of the dirt in the easiest way and 
to put up the bridge itself: nothing is available for restoring 
beauty to the place. What are the things needed for this? 
Willows by the waterside: filmy pale green small-leaved wild 
willows, to nestle in soft masses by the abutments: elms and 
sycamores to cover the rising slopes; or vines, if the dump be 
of broken stone: swamp iris or water shamrock to cover the 
bare mud—things that do not cost a cent for they may be 
found in nature’s wild nurseries; things that will grow with- 
out any coddling, that need only proper planting—in short 
the things that grow wild in such places. These will restore 
the beauty of the place in the minimum of time, and with 
the least expense. In the course of years, nature, if not 
prevented, will restore these things herself: but the effect 
will be better, and the desired results will be attained much 
more quickly for a little intelligent aid. 
So, roadsides, that are considered ‘“‘finished’’ when a 
roadbed is secured, may be refurnished: level filled lands may 
be made fresh green meadows, instead of being allowed to 
become wildernesses of weeds: slopes disfigured with stumpage 
may be reforested. It should be the privilege of the natural- 
ist to enlist public spirited folk in the promotion of such bet- 
terments. It will help the good name of his community. 
The greater the number of people who can be got to 
participate in this work, the better it will be established in 
public opinion: the more children helping, the better its 
results will be insured against future vandalism. About 
schools and colleges, things should be planted, not solely 
