PARK AND CEMETERY. 
8i 
because the experience of the past few years has convinced me 
that the object of this asssociation will be more quickly realized 
through this source, and recommend that the delegates to this 
convention upon returning to their homes, promote the organi- 
zation of the school children into improvement associations, and 
encourage the teachers of public schools to give their pupils les- 
sons in nature study, thereby laying the foundation for greater 
usefulness and in many instances a means for obtaining a liveli- 
hood in one of the most pleasing occupations ever engaged in 
by individuals of either sex.” 
After the president’s address the reports of offi- 
cers and committees were presented. The secre- 
tary’s report recorded a large increase in member- 
ship, which numbers over 300 and represents 85 cities 
and towns in 28 states and in Catlada. The treas- 
urer’s report also 
showed continued 
THE SHAKESPEARE MONUMENT. 
Wm. Ordway 
improvement. Dr. 
W. W. Folwell, 
Minneapolis, chair- 
man of committee on 
“Park Census,” re- 
ported that as the 
census law makes no 
provision for statis- 
tics on parks, further 
legislation would be 
necessary to secure 
action. This report 
was received and 
committee con- 
tinued. 
An important 
committee report was 
that presented by 
Prof. Wm. J. Beal, 
Lansing, Mich., for 
the committee on 
“Prizes for Designs.” 
After ably discussing 
the position of the 
association in the question and reviewing the pos- 
sible results to be obtained by a well ordered system 
of prize giving, and in whi h women’s clubs and 
similar organizations should be urged to co-operate, 
the report concludes with the following recom- 
mendations: 
“However carefully }'Our committee may attempt to be 
specific in making schedules for prizes for plans ancl their exe- 
cution for the improvement of home surroundings, it vyill often 
need to be modified to suit the price of lots and houses in differ- 
ent towns. , c .i • r 
“We suge^est first, second, third and fourth prizes ror the 
best plans, so far as seen from the streeHn front and pe rear 
from the alley of lot and house valued at $300 to |8oo. Another 
list of premiums for places valued at over |,Soo to $1500 Another 
list of^premiums for places valued at over fi. 5 < 3 p to f;3,ooo. 
Another list of premiums for places valued at over fi,ooo. 
“The judges may be selected by the persons or members of 
societies offering prizes. , i r 
“Another set of prizes may be offered for plans suitable for 
more costly residences, in which the use of vines annual or per- 
ennial is made a leading feature, but not to the exclusion of 
other plants. 
SCENES IN I.INCOEN PARK, CHICAGO. 
“.Another set for plans in wdiich ferns are a conspicuous 
feature. 
“.Another set for plans in which perennial herbs are a con- 
spicuous jiart. 
“.Another for th ■ ns of shrubbery in street planting, not 
excluding trees. 
“We especially recommend the prizes to boys for making 
good vegetable gardens. These gardens maj' be either on pri- 
vate ground or on ground supplied by Improvement Associa- 
tions or Corporations. No form of prize offering will be so pro- 
ductive of good results in the community as this. We earnestly 
recommend the offering of prizes or of giving in some other 
way enconragement for the improvement of suburban homes, 
also for the home surroundings of farmers where practicable. 
Dwellers in those latter places usually need encouragement 
quite as much as people living in city or village. 
“As the owner who is planting for the second or third year 
has a very decided ad- 
vantage over him who is 
just beginning, it may be 
well to divide the prizes, 
in each offering the larger 
prizes for first year’s w'ork 
and the smaller for work 
of the second or third 
year, or, if desired, the 
prizes can be made to 
cover the yards show’ing 
the greatest improvement 
during the year. In such 
case it would be wise to 
have one continuous com- 
mittee throughout a series 
of 3’ears. 
“When the facts will 
warrant it, and sometimes 
when they do not, all 
classes of people enjoy 
showing visitors about the 
town in which the}’ live, 
pointing out the finest 
residences, streets, shrubs 
and other plants used for 
decoration. The poorer 
streets are not visited, or, 
if the)’ are, apologies are 
made in their behalf. We 
hope to add to the interest 
alread}’ manifested in 
beautifying humble homes 
in a few’ of the cities of 
this country by making it 
quite univeijsal. 
“In connection with 
schools and parks, w’e 
cannot too strongl}’ impress on the minds of those in authoritv, 
the importance of botanic gardens, even though small, in which 
many of the leading natives and e.xotics shall each be represented 
by a good specimen accurately labeled. These w’ill afford oppor- 
tunity for an}’ citizen in the neighborhood, rich or poor, if so 
inclined, to compare and take notes of his favorites for certain 
purposes at all seasons of the year. We refer w’ith satisfaction 
to gardens of this kind at Harvard University; St. Louis, Mo.; 
Buffalo, N. A^. ; and Bronx Park in New A"ork City; and there 
are others of less pretentioii springing up in many portions «f 
our country. 
“.Any society or club can aid much in the direction of out- 
door art by purchasing for the use of its members a small library 
of suitable books bearing on these and kindred topics; if not 
able, or not inclined to purchase, they may often induce the 
officers of libraries already established to purchase and loan 
books of this character.” 
C'ommendatory remarks were made by several 
members on the above report. Mr. E. J. Parker, 
Quincy, 111 ., spoke of the successful efforts of some 
of the colleges in this direction. It is a difficult 
thing to instruct the working classes, and it must 
be done gradually through members of the associa- 
