PARK AND CEMETERY 
203 
delphiniums, etc. A few good flowering annuals that 
also seed themselves are desirable in connection with 
permanent planting, particularly the small single sun- 
flower called in most catalogues the “Stella,” and nas- 
turtiums, preferably the tall sorts. 
It is very important that all the material should 
be chosen to give a succession of flowers, attractive 
foliage effects, or ornamental fruits during the season 
when school is in session. Spring-flowering bulbs are 
indispensable in this connection since they produce 
flowers long before any other class of plants. Spring 
and fall-flowering shrubs and trees are the main de- 
pendence of the schoolground planter. The red bud, 
wild crab, sumach in variety, ditto spiraeas, viburnums, 
and lilacs ; the Missouri flowering currant ; Indian cur- 
rant and its relative the snowberry, found in catalogues 
under their proper name of Symphoricarpos ; Rugosa 
and Setigera' roses ; euonymus ; hydrangeas ; barberries, 
and other good hardy things are all useful. 
Frances Copley Seavey. 
NOTES OF THE ASSOCIATIONS. 
In an open letter to the public printed in a local paper, Mrs. 
Adelaide Pennell Pulsifer, of the Civic Improvement Asso- 
ciation, Lewiston, Me., says that one of the prime features 
of its work relates to the tidiness ot streets. She suggests 
that individuals must do their part by each occupant of store 
and dwelling keeping the streets and alleys bordering on 
their premises free from flying papers, litter and disfiguring 
objects of every character. Receptacles for such rubbish will 
soon be supplied by the organization. She suggests that 
street shade trees should be planted and cared for, and parks, 
school and other public grounds beautified by lawns, shrubs 
and flowers, and that playgrounds should be provided in 
various parts of the city, and ends her useful letter thus : 
“Let us make our city more beautiful and attractive. The 
Association does not desire to assume any monopoly in this 
regard, nor is it a close corporation. All who desire to 
work with us will be welcomed. If any do not care to work 
with us, let them work in their own good way, so that their 
efforts tend to the desired end.” 
* * * 
The Spaniards Call Joseph Bonaparte “Rey Plazuelas,” the 
King of Open Squares, because he tore away block after 
block of monasteries, convents, and tenement houses in 
Madrid to make parks and squares. To him also are said to 
be due the splendid, wide streets of modern Madrid. 
This should provide food for thought for men and women 
of means who seek to benefit towns and cities in which they 
have especial interest. It would seem a simple and an ex- 
cellent thing to kill two birds with such a stone, rather than 
inflict certain other stones upon a suffering public. Parks 
and open squares are more attractive and more effective 
memorials than cold, unfeeling marble, and they are far more 
beneficial to the living. 
* * * 
The Village Improvement Society of Baldwinsville Mass., 
was organized in March, 1890. Its preamble sets forth its 
aims in this way: “The purpose of this organization is to 
further improve and beautify our village, to plant shade trees, 
build additional sidewalks, lay street crossings, abate public 
nuisances and render a pleasant village still more pleasant.” 
It raised more than $250 the first year and built a concrete 
walk on the public square and has since laid walks and cross- 
ings on several streets and in the square. Other work has 
been done. The society was incorporated in February, 1901. 
Since its inception $1,300 has been raised and $1,249 ex- 
pended. 
* * * 
The Yarmouth Village Improvement Society was recently or- 
ganized by representative citizens of Yarmouthport and Yar- 
mouth, Mass. President, Thatcher T. Hallet; Treasurer, Wil- 
liam J. Davis, and Secretary, Edward F. Peirce. The unusual 
feature of this new combination of improvement workers is 
that it was called, started and is officered entirely by men 
who, however, desire public announcement of the fact that 
ladies are cordially invited to join. In most instances women 
are the prime movers in forming such organizations. It is 
a real pleasure to find the men of these towns so earnest and 
enthusiastic in the good cause. 
* * * 
The Milwaukee Outdoor Art and Improvement Association 
has asked the city council to appropriate $350 for a public 
playground on the south side of that city. A site has been 
chosen, and of the appropriation is made the lot will be graded, 
an oblong space in the middle will be graveled for use as 
the playground proper, and a border four feet wide extend- 
ing around the lot in which space shade trees will be planted. 
Shrubbery is to be grouped in the corners and two sand pits 
will make an ideal spot for the small children to play in. 
There will be swings, see-saws and a turning pole for the use 
of the younger children. At the opposite end of the ground 
are arrangements for the amusement of the larger frequenters 
of the place, in the shape of large swings, turning poles, a 
giant stride and some gymnasium apparatus. 
* * * 
The Portsmouth (N. IT.) Herald recently recognized the 
good work of the local Improvement Society in an editorial 
commenting favorably on the advance made - during the first 
year of its existence and prognosticating greater returns for 
the ensuing year in the way of “making Portsmouth a cleaner 
and more attractive city, a better city in which to live, a city, 
in short, which shall not only be an ideal place of residence, 
but one in which business men will find inducements to 
locate.” 
'Jfi * * 
The citizens of Orono, Me., this fall organized the Orono 
Improvement Association, adopted a constitution, the second 
article of which succintly sets forth its reason for being as 
follows: “Article 2. Purpose: The object of this Association 
shall be the improvement of Orono in health, growth, clean- 
liness, prosperity and attractiveness.” President, Prof. L. H. 
Merrill; Vice-President, Mrs. A. L. Harvey; Secretary Dr. 
F. O. Lewis; Treasurer, Alex. Leveille. 
^ 4* -i 5 
The Improvement Society of Eastham, Mass., has built a 
library building, bought an old and historically valuable wind- 
mill, inclosed two ancient cemeteries with iron fences, ap- 
propriately observes various holidays, and deserves credit for 
taking the initiative in the establishment and celebration of 
Old Home Week. 
* * * 
One Maine town (name at present unknown) set about or- 
ganizing an Improvement Society in an entirely new and 
novel fashion. One Sunday in October past, every clergy- 
man in town, including the priest, preached on the subject 
of civic and rural betterment as a preliminary to the forma- 
tion of the working club. That sounds like true and heart- 
felt enthusiasm. 
