454 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
WorRing Plans of an Improvement Association. 
Extracts from a t^aper read before the Minnesota State Hor- 
ticultural Society, by Mrs. Anna B. Underivood, Sec. 
IVonian’s Auxiliary, State Hort. Society, Lake City, Minn. 
Activit}' among the citizens must be the keynote of effort 
m all places, large or small, in order to make the most of 
surrounding advantages, and to improve conditions; for just 
so soon as activity ceases, a place will surely retrogade, and 
many of the inhabitants, not recognizing their own responsi- 
hilit\', will move to a “live” town. 
The smaller cities, towns and villages, will need to attain 
results through different methods. Their location may pre- 
clude the possibility of phenomenal growth ; but they can 
foster the business interests they already have, and above all, 
the schools, churches, public buildings, public grounds and 
homes can be kept in the best condition, so as to bring into 
the social and home-life of the residents, content, even en- 
joyment, in their environment. These smaller places are 
fast becoming recognized as ideal for the true home life. 
In order to accomplish this attractiveneess, much personal 
effort is required. Individuals must assume responsibiltiy, 
must feel that the general weal is their own concern, and 
that they must cultivate an interest in affairs pertaining to 
the well-being of their neighbors. 
About a year ago some of the earnest women of our small 
city, were imbued with the idea that although nature had done 
much for us in the way of a most beautiful lake, surrounded 
by picturesque bluffs and valleys, which made a beautiful set- 
ting for the many homes, yet, considering the unattractiveness 
of some of the streets, the unkempt condition of our neigh- 
bor's yard, as well as our own — there was much found to offend 
the sight. Then began a search for information pertaining to 
our needs. Books, magazines, and papers were read, but no 
detailed plan could be unearthed that might be applied to 
our particular case. We read much of the extensive opera- 
tions in boulevarding streets, improving and adding to Park 
systems, the passing of laws compelling compliance with rec- 
ognized necessary improvements; but all was on a scale be- 
yond us. We found much to inspire us and to increase our 
determination “to do something.” 
Our business meetings were the scene of lively discussions 
of what we had read, and a process of elimination was carried 
on. Our beautiful broad, deep, clear lake of constantly 
changing water, our wide valley with abundance of trees and 
nearby streams, supplied us with pure air, and parklike con- 
ditions. We really lived in a park! So we narrowed our 
line of observation and began to study conditions in detail, 
and soon were nearly overwhelmed with unpleasant things. 
The unsightly .appearance of portions of the lake front; the 
untidiness at the rear of stores ; the frequent mudholes in 
the streets ; uneven sidewalks ; noxious weeds along the road- 
side and in vacant lots; the rubbish of tin cans, bottles, boilers, 
crockery, etc., dumped beside a beautiful driveway (between 
two days), broken down fences; etc. There was so much 
that evidently should be done, and that at once, that we were i 
almost discouraged before starting out on our crusade. How- ! 
ever, we wisely concluded to lay our plans for only as much | 
as we knew we could reasonably accomplish. We had no ! 
funds to work with ; our only resources, as one aptly ex- j 
pressed it. were, “plenty of talk and a reasonable degree of j 
influence” ; and we determined to work these to the limit. , 
We formed an organization of women with a membership | 
fee of 25 cents per year. Men were admitted as honorary 
members by paying 50 cents. With this low charge, no one 
might sta}- away through lack of funds. This gave us a I 
small amount to begin with, and was used to keep up the j 
interest of our monthly evening meetings. For these we I 
made up programs to cover an hour. We had two ten min- 
ute talks or papers ; the balance of the time was used in 3 to 
5 minute talks, with two musical numbers. We were prompt 
in beginning and closing, and if anyone presumed on having 
much to divulge, requiring extension of time, he was in- 
formed that another evening was coming when he would be 
allowed an opportunity to continue. This promptness and 
strictness in carrying out the program, brought out quick, 
snappy, sparkling remarks that were always well received. 
Our aim was to bring as many as possible to their feet, and ' 
we were agreeably surprised, to find that there were many 
who were doing a great deal of thinking, and were only 
waiting for an opportunity to be line.d up in battle array. 
For one entertainment we engaged Prof. Green to give a 
lecture on “Street and Home Improvement,” illustrated with ,, 
stereopticon views. This awakened much interest and formed ■. 
the basis of the discussion for the next regular meeting. | 
Each program was always followed with a social hour, and. I 
these were pronounced by many to be the most instructive j 
of all, for with a cup of tea or coffee and a wafer in hand 
it was so much easier to talk over and discuss matters with ; 
a few than to make a set speech to a hundred or more listen- 
ing ears. 
The executive committee procured a map of the city show- 
ing the streets; and then, house by house, mentally, went upi 
and down both sides of each street, selecting one person who 
would be likely to serve as chairman of a committee for that 
street. The streets running lengthwise were divided by a 
