68 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
■™ . 
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS 
CONDUCTED BY 
MRS. FRANCES COPLEY SEAVEY. 
TREATMENT OF GROUND SURFACES. 
An article by H. A. Caparn in the May issue of Park 
and Cemetery and Landscape Gardening on “Terraces 
and Terrace Banks,” suggests to* my mind that leaders 
in improvement work would do well to inform them- 
selves regarding the proper treatment of ground sur- 
faces. 
As Mr. Caparn justly says, the sharp bank usually 
termed a “terrace" is frequently in evidence and nearly 
always in the wrong place. It appears to be quite as 
“dear” to the architect who plans the suburban dwell- 
ing as it is to the suburbanite himself — dearer, in fact, 
from the point of view of affection, but it is more ex- 
pensive to the owner. 
Some architects, even among those of standing and 
ability, seem blinded by the angles, straight lines and 
hard surfaces that they must from necessity largely oc- 
cupy themselves with, so that they are unable to see 
and appreciate the simple and gracious curves by 
which Dame Nature usually blends various levels. In 
prairie countries this is her chosen method, and there 
really is neither reason nor excuse for anything abrupt, 
angular and formal in the treatment of ground sur- 
faces in such localities. However, even amid these 
surroundings, with the gentle slopes and sweeping- 
curves characteristic of the slightly undulating prairie 
in full view on all sides as a panoramic object lesson, 
trained architects are found resorting to sharp banks 
between two levels on building lots of small size. Fre- 
quently the higher levels are obtained by filling, which 
is often perfectly legitimate. But why not wed the 
various levels by simple, manageable slopes correspond- 
ing to the general contour of the natural surfaces in 
the vicinity? They are more pleasing to the eye be- 
cause they belong to the environment ; it is possible to 
establish and maintain good grass on them ; and, as Mr. 
Caparn suggests, the chances of salvation for the man 
behind the lawn mower are distinctly enhanced thereby. 
The latter, at least, is a consideration that should have 
weight. 
Clearly, the leading spirits of every improvement 
organization should read Downing, and Bailey and 
other authorities on Landscape Gardening with a view 
to finding and assimilating correct information regard- 
ing the treatment of ground surfaces as well as for 
pointers as to what constitutes good planting. We are 
none of us too old to learn and so far as heard from 
no one claims to have exhausted the possibilities of 
landscape work. The experts are still consulting Na- 
ture on this subject and we can hardly do better than 
to go to them for knowledge of how to apply her sug- 
gestions. 
NOTES OF THE ASSOCIATIONS. 
The Kent Improvement Association of East Green- 
wich, R. I., was organized May 16, 1902, and now has 
one hundred and sixteen members. Its regular meet- 
ings are held on the second Monday of each month. 
The first work undertaken by it was an earnest effort 
to rid the elm trees of the city of the elm leaf beetle 
and no difficulty w r as experienced in raising a fund of 
$842.50 by public subscription for this purpose. Al- 
most the entire amount was expended and with gener- 
ally good results. The season’s work conclusively 
proved the possibility of controlling this pest. Through 
the efforts of the Association, the town has made an 
appropriation of $500, to be expended for the same 
purpose this year, under its supervision, and as it now 
owns a spraying pump, prompt and energetic work is 
expected to result in the preservation of the elm foliage 
throughout the entire season. The Association inter- 
ests itself in various phases of improvement work 
including planting in railway grounds, the restoration 
of certain neglected, ancient burial grounds, the sur- 
roundings of manufacturing corporations, and partic- 
ularly in stirring up citizens to a full appreciation of the 
fact that attractive home surroundings is a drawing 
card that no property owner ought to withhold if he 
has any interest in an increase of real estate values. In 
order to keep in touch with improvement work and 
workers, this organization has become affiliated with 
the American Park and Outdoor Art Association and 
the American Civic League, and the official report of 
its secretary, Mrs. H. I. Gardner, gives special credit 
to Mr. Chas. M. Robinson, secretary of the Outdoor 
Art Association, for valuable suggestions and aid. 
The Dorchester (Mass.) Lower Mills Improvement 
Association, organized in 1890, recently accused itself 
of having indulged in a Rip Van Winkle cat nap as 
a result of exhausted energy due to its tremendous 
initial activity in making a park and building a school- 
house. It brought arguments to bear upon itself to 
prove how many opportunities for good had been lost 
while it slumbered and slept, the conclusion being 
largely in favor of keeping awake hereafter. It unan- 
imously decided that, having roused itself, it were wise 
to put its shoulder to the wheel and give a long and 
strong shove upward. Among the proposed work of 
this evidently thoroughly broad awake body is the estab- 
lishment of baseball grounds, tennis courts and spaces 
for other outdoor sports in connection with its park, 
the widening of one, and possibly two city streets, pre- 
liminary steps toward procuring a riverside boulevard, 
and an effort to purify city politics in certain directions 
to the end of putting a stop to alleged wasteful expen- 
diture of public moneys. The first move in the latter 
direction is a proposition to form all of the allied or- 
ganizations in the city into a protective league. 
No signs of lethargy there now. 
Frances Copley Seavey. 
