The Garden Club of Michigan 
ROADSIDE PLANTING 
In the last few years much has been accomplished in Michigan 
in regard to the building of good roads, but very little has been done 
to beautify the roadsides. 
They are for the most part deplorably barren of trees, and it has 
long been the ambition of the Garden Club of Michigan to help im- 
prove this condition. 
This year the work has been started. 
Besides planting a sample mile of trees on one of the roadways 
near Detroit, literature is being distributed throughout the State 
to other Garden Clubs, Women's Clubs, Civic Associations and Auto- 
mobile Clubs, in an effort to interest them in joining the movement. 
These folders tell what trees to plant in different soils and lo- 
calities, what sizes grow best and at what prices they can be pur- 
chased, also the approved method of planting and caring for the trees. 
For our. sample mile we have, after much thought, decided on the 
Norway Maple, this being a quick growing tree and well adapted to 
our sandy soiL 
Between the trees we shall plant various kinds of natural Michigan 
shrubbery as we find space. 
The new roads are of concrete, and owing to the low level of the 
country, deep ditches are required on either side for the purpose of 
drainage. This encroaches seriously on the area needed for the trees 
and shrubs. 
To surmount this difficulty we have enlisted the co-operation of 
the Wayne County Good Roads Commission, and have found it 
most willing to help. Through its influence we are able to induce the 
farmers to move back their fences sufficiently to allow the planting of 
the trees and have hopes of educating even those practical folk to the 
beauty and necessity of roadside planting. 
Alice H. Towle. 
PROGRAM FOR IQl6 
January 21. — Experience Meeting. Mrs. John R. Searles. 
February 4.— " Troubles in the Flower Garden," by Mr. Fuld. 
Mrs. Henry W. Dakin. 
March 10. — "European and American Gardens," by Mrs. Charles 
Moore. Mrs. Frederick N. Alger. 
April 21. — " Shrubbery and Its Care," by Mr. George L. Perry. 
Mrs. Henry D. Shelden. 
May 6.— Daffodil Show. The Country Club. 
