351 
PARK AND ce;me;te:ry 
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WHAT A LITTLE MICHIGAN TOWN HAS DONE. 
Great things cannot be expected from a town of 
only a thousand people, yet much smaller towns may 
be made attractive if the people will not try to ape 
city customs, but will endeavor to make the little vil- 
lage rural, homelike, cool and useful. 
The people of the little town of Birmingham, Mich., 
led bv the women of Village Improvement Society are 
trying to work along these lines. This year we have 
tried as an experiment putting plants in some of the 
down-town places where dirt has been wont to collect. 
It has been a success. Some woven wire has protected 
them from the dogs, and children have not disturbed 
them. 
W’e have placed seats at the corners where people 
wait for the interurban cars, have put out street signs, 
waste paper baskets, distributed flower seeds and bulbs 
through the school last spring and are soon to have 
a flower show, giving a prize to the class that makes 
the best display. It is too early to speak of the work 
done along these lines in Federated Clubs of the state, 
but in the County Federation we have worked to keep 
tags and advertising matter off trees and poles ; and, 
while we have not been entirely successful, have done 
something. Our Oakland Co. Fair officials are not 
placing any advertising in those objectionable ways. 
The women of the county, through their clubs, se- 
cured a women’s rest room in the new court house 
that is soon to be dedicated. 
Our own V. I. S. sent cards to all living within the 
two-mile radius of our village, asking that they plant 
street trees. Some good results have followed. We are 
also trying to get country roads named and marked 
with signs. Our lastest scheme is to furnish button 
bouquets, labeled “Compliments of Village Improve- 
ment Society of Birmingham,” at social functions 
where out-of-town people are entertained. 
M.\rth.\ B.\ldwin. 
IMPROVEMENT WORK AT JOLIET, ILL. 
The Joliet improvement association with the advent : 
of spring began its crusade for beautifying Joliet. The ; 
three principles laid down for planting are: Leave : 
open spaces of lawn. Plant in masses around these i 
open spaces. Avoid straight lines. Beyond these j 
three fundamental rules, each person must be guided I 
by his own desires and the possibilities of the location, i 
The first step is a plan. This should be determined ! 
upon, before anything else is done, even the grading | 
of the lot. Decide where you want to put things and ; 
then adhere to your plan. Changing a planting plan ; 
when the work is partly done is like changing the posi- , 
tion of a stairway after the house is built. If you are j 
doubtful what to plant or where, get a catalogue from 
a nursery and see what is available. You will be sur- | 
prised at the number of possibilities. | 
Not only a greater Joliet, but a more beautiful i 
Joliet, is the sentiment of the association. Already this j' 
organization has done much for the improvement of S 
Joliet. The next work is to improve a triangular | 
tract of land which contains nearly five acres. At [ 
present it is covered with rubbish, rocks and weeds, | 
and it is proposed to beautify it and transform it into 
an attractive breathing spot, with walks, a green car- 
pet, trees, shrubs, flowers and seats. It is figured that 
about $2,000 will be required to make the improve- 
ment. To carry out the plan subscriptions are to be 
solicited. A committee has been appointed to raise the I 
necessary money. One member has consented to 
superintend the planting of the flowers, shrubs and | 
trees, and his services will be gratis; another hasB 
charge of the Higinbotham Park and volunteers toi 
supply the necessary shrubbery. n 
The association at a recent meeting voted to pur-B 
chase 2,500 packages of flower seeds for distribution ■ 
among the various schools; to purchase 1,000 postal 1 
cards containing information as to the best kind of I 
trees, shrubs and vines for planting, the- cards to be 1 
sent to people of Joliet seeking information. | 
