14 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
do aught but stand and gaze on these old piles 
while our thoughts run back -to the long long 
ago. 
On this the Isle of Wight, the timber growth is 
usually nearer the coast than elsewhere. In the 
centre of the Island are mountains, downs as they 
are called, and these are mostly bare of trees. Their 
formation is chalk, to a great extent, with a thin 
covering of loam on top. Through the trees, near 
the shore, are some shaded secluded lanes, which al- 
ways afford an enjoyable walk. We present a view 
of one-, leading to the sea, at the North Eastern end 
of the Island, at a place called Sea View. It shows 
how the trees flourish right down to the waters edge. 
This little lane has a somewhat abrupt turn near its 
end, bringing the visitor suddenly to the beautiful 
view of the sea presented, while not far away, a 
splendid sight of the shores of the mainland may 
be had from Sea View Point. 
When traversing this Island and other parts of 
England in the summer of 1895, and seeing the 
vegetation in the greatest profusion and in the most 
vigorous health, right down to the waters edge, I 
could but wish I had with me some of those who 
often ask me what will grow near the sea. They 
would then fully believe what I often tell them, 
that there ‘isTio limit practically to the list. It is 
the strong ocean winds and not the sea air that has 
to be considered, as a visit to many a spot on our 
own sea coast will show. 
Philadelphia. Joseph Meehan. 
THE COMMON, LEICESTER, MASS. 
All over the country, not only in the older towns 
and villages of the east, but in those of more re- 
cent date of the west, there will be found vacant 
plots of land belonging to the town perhaps, but 
all more or less neglected, used possibly by the 
youth of the place for their sports, but not infre- 
quently as the dumping ground for the town refuse. 
At any rate they are blots on the fair face of the-lo- 
cality, yet offering themselves to an enlightened 
public for improvement as soon as their suggestive- 
ness can be understood, and always by the very neg- 
lect of the opportunity, condemning the commu- 
nity for its shortsightedness. It is just such places 
that may be made the jewels in the village setting, 
by the exercise of a little intelligence and the ex- 
penditure of a reasonable amount of energy and 
funds to effect the transformation. 
The variety of treatment of such neglected spots, 
or even the improvement of such as may have re- 
ceived a little ordinary care, is, of course, practi- 
cally as unlimited as nature’s resources for beauti- 
fying them. They may be improved by simply 
making lawns, relieving the same by clumps of 
shrubbery, laying out paths, placing a ionntain, or 
where the area permits, carrying out landscape ef- 
fects, which should always be done under proper 
advice as promising the best results, artiscally and 
economically. 
In view of the good that may be accomplished 
by an active campaign of regeneration of the neg- 
lected spots referred to, it is the intention to present 
from time to time examples of actual practice in 
this class of improvement, as well as suggestions for 
available reference when needed. All such exam- 
ples may be drawn upon fo'r suggestions and fre- 
quently for inspiration. 
The accompanying is a plan showing the Common 
of Leicester, Mass., as improved after the designs 
of Mr. Charles N. Lowrie, of New York City. 
The town is beautifully situated on high ground, 
near the city of Worcester, and is coming to be a 
place of high-class residences. Public spirited citi- 
zens desired to make the common its most promi- 
nent and attractive feature, and adopted plans for 
the purpose. Before work was begun the common 
was covered with rubbish, the soil exhausted and 
the fine trees taking care of themselves. The grass 
was worn and thin, and cut up by irregular paths 
worn into its substance by the crossing and recross- 
ing of pedestrians in the absence of well-defined 
walks. It was a typical New England common in 
the neglected and forlorn condition often prevail- 
ing. 
In explanation of the plan it may be said that 
the dominant motive was to retain its distinctive 
character as a New England common, to give an ex- 
pression of dignity, breadth, intricacy and rest- 
ful beauty, to the exclusion of trivial or flower gar- 
den effects. A gently rolling surface has a gradual 
slope towards the main street, and the de- 
sirability of direct communication between the 
hotel, store, town hall, academy, etc., which face 
the common on different sides, determined 
the location of the main paths, while a double row 
of old elms made a straight path between them a 
possible feature. An air of extent and breadth 
characterizes the design. 
The planting plan, as regarding selection and dis- 
position of material, is intended to give an inter- 
pretation in harmony with the traditions of the 
place, and create a unity between the scattered trees 
growing on the plot. 
The arrangement of this small park gives an 
idea of what may be done in any town similarly 
situated, The immediate results of such improve- 
ments, have always 'justified the enterprise, and 
have realized the anticipations of the public-spirited 
promoters. 
