PARK AND CEMETERY. 
94 
INTELLIGENT METHODS IN RAILROAD GARDENING 
The custom of planting' railway sta- 
tion grounds attracts the attention of 
observing travelers, sometimes by its 
observance, more often by its non-ob- 
servance. But it is unquestionably 
increasing and, better still, on the 
only line that can reasonably be ex- 
pected to become general, namely, 
by the use of hardy material carefully 
chosen and placed to produce perma- 
nent, all-the-year-’round effects. 
No line of landscape work calls for 
greater knowledge, judgment and 
taste. Railway officials are nothing 
if not sternly practical. They have 
a wonderfully well-developed faculty 
for weighing cause and effect; and for 
a given outlay expect and demand pro- 
portionate results. This is really the 
best promise of the wide-spread, if 
gradual, adoption of this phase of im- 
provement work on station grounds, 
and, in time, on railway rights of 
way; for when such men realize the 
necessity for planting, they will not 
fail to appreciate the practical advan- 
tages of this method. 
The useful and beautiful results to 
be economically obtained by the correct 
distribution of properly chosen hardy 
trees, shrubs, vines, bulbs and plants 
will appeal to them as to no other class 
of planters and their use will be as- 
sured. 
Most roads started in the wrong 
branch of gardening, wrong, at least, 
from the view point of its e.xtensive or 
general use because of unsuitabilitj- 
and expense. The last factor is alone 
fatal and is, indeed, largely respon- 
sible for the slow progress made in 
railroad gardening. Expense is the 
first thing the railroad man consid- 
ers; if it is out of proportion, the fate 
of the project, whatever it may be, 
is definitely sealed. 
However, evanescent summer bed- 
diitg will probably be retained in 
PT.AN OF ALFSTON STATION GROUNDS, BOSTON & 
AUBANY R. R. 
Carriag'e traffic very light and foot ti’affic moderateiy heavy. 
Japanese ivy (ampelopsis) on ail but nortli side of station. 
Shrubbery mixed, inciuding Thunberg's barberry, Persian lilac, 
Spim'a Van Houttei and S. prunifolio. 
BRIDGE SCREEN AT ALLSTON STATION GROUNDS. 
California privet and cornus mascula screening bridge steps 
and retaining wall, against which Boston ivy (Ampelopsis 
Veitchii) is also planted. The privet winter-killed three years 
ago, necessitating new planting. 
SUMMER VIEW OF CHESTNUT HIED STATION. 
Showing grounds and overhead bridge with steps. Observe 
how the abutments of bridge (in the distance) are screened and 
the bridge merged into the landscape. This planting consists 
of Stag-horn sumach, Ninebark (Spiraea opulifolia) and Red 
osier dogwood. 
