32 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
vary in habit to suit many situations and uses, so that 
they may with equal appropriateness be utilized to 
clothe blank walls or bare tree trunks, to shade arbors 
and porches, to drape fences, to clamber over small 
trees, or to carpet the ground where other vegetation 
will not thrive. Hardy vines that live for years are 
the best for all these purposes, but may sometimes 
be combined with certain tender vines where imme- 
diate ef¥ects are desired. These will fill in for a sea- 
son while the better vines are growing. All, how- 
ingly and with great caution, for it is easier to ruin 
the picture of cozy home comfort with such mate- 
rial than it is to improve the effect. Annuals (plants 
that are grown from seed and complete their exist- 
ence in one season), are safer, and certain kinds look 
well mingled with the planting already outlined, but 
are still more useful for furnishing a supply of cut 
flowers. For this purpose they should be grown in a 
place set apart for a flower garden, out of sight where 
they cannot mar the large effect of the picture by 
ARRANGEMENT OF SHRUBBERY IN ITS RELATION TO A BUILDING. 
ever, must be carefully chosen to meet the situation 
and requirements. 
After the permanent background and setting for 
the house and the frame for the grounds have been 
broadly sketched in and are being gradually worked 
up by minor touches in the way of flowery details 
here and there, for it takes time for the development 
of such schemes, it may be that some will wish to fur- 
ther embellish the home ground by the use of tender 
greenhouse plants. But these should be used spar- 
obtrusive detail that will be out of harmony with the 
general design. 
It is quite possible to plan home grounds in ac- 
cordance with the canons of art as applied to other 
forms of art work, and still make a home express char- 
acter — individuality. In fact, the exterior arrange- 
ment should express something of the individuality 
of those who dwell within, just as the interior should 
possess an atmosphere characteristic of the tastes of 
the occupants. Frances Copley Seavey. 
THE TOWN BEAUTIFUL. 
Through Prof. Chas. H. Shinn comes the follow- 
ing information regarding the Niles (Cal.) Improve- 
ment Society. Its avowed work is the betterment of 
life in that place. It has improved and partly lighted 
the streets; planted and maintains street trees, and 
has established a small public library. It has also 
planted and maintains trees and flowers on the pub- 
lic school grounds, and by its request the railroad 
company has planted trees and established lawns on 
the railway station grounds. A village pound is the 
outcome of its efforts so that cattle are now kept off 
the streets. The summers being dry, it has but few 
weeds to contend with. There is no factory in the 
town, and, what seems far more remarkable, it is also 
without a cemetery. Whether this last, and very un- 
usual omission, is due to the efficient, beneficent, and 
successful work of the Improvement organization. 
Prof. Shinn neglects to state, but presumablv it is. 
Certainly one has but to glance between the lines to. 
realize that life in Niles has been bettered by the 
existence of the club, even if death has not been ban- 
ished. 
The City Improvement Society of Lincoln, Neb., 
was organized for the improvement of civic condi- 
tions. Its specific work has so far resulted in cleaner 
streets, better sidewalks, the cutting of weeds, placing 
boxes at street corners for rubbish, bettered sanitary 
conditions generally, the decoration and improve- 
ment of school grounds, the opening of a city park, 
and park concerts. A comprehensive and satisfac- 
tory showing and one that should make for increased 
membership and influence. But, in addition, it has 
graded, established lawns, set trees, planted flowers, 
made window boxes and built protecting fences for 
its factory grounds, and is planning to offer prizes for 
well-kept lawns, flowers, etc., and furnishes an Arbor 
day program for use in the public schools. 
