PRAIRIE ROSE 63 



Prairie Rose," Sumac called out. "Say, isn't this 

 great? And to think we are all here together 

 again in this beautiful place! I wonder who 

 ever thought of using us to beautify the roadsides, 

 when there are so many other flowers and edu- 

 cated shrubs and plants in use," said Sumac, 

 thoughtfully. 



"I wUl tell you all about it," began Prairie Rose. 

 "Last year when I was brought up here the learned 

 professors from the University were here and told 

 the other men in my hearing that it was the plan 

 of the Dean of that great College of Agriculture to 

 develop rural roadside planting. So, through the 

 Landscape Department of the University, this sys- 

 tem of road beautification, 'The Illinois Way,' was 

 adopted. This mile of roadway with its beautiful 

 pavement was the first to be selected, as the one 

 to be improved under this system. By using the 

 native flowers, shrubs, and trees, the roadway is 

 beautified and we add to the pleasure of those who 

 pass this way. Here you will see the new machines 

 that people ride in, that we never heard of down 

 by the creek in the forest, and if you are observing 

 you wiU have a chance to see many interesting 

 things in the course of a day." 



"It's too bad that Hard Maple couldn't have 



