50 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS 
CONDUCTED BY 
FRANCES COPLEY SEAVEY, 
RAILROAD GARDENING, 
No field of improvement work of¥ers more fascin- 
ating opportunities nor more promising results than 
that which may be done in and around local railway 
stations. It is, in fact, doubtful if any other one pos- 
sible piece of work in a town or village makes so much 
show or is so generally satisfactory to everybody con- 
cerned as transforming the bleak, windy, dusty sur- 
roundings of the ordinary railway station into a fresh 
and fragrant oasis. This is something that touches 
the entire community ; everyone makes more or less 
Do you say there is more cause for apprehension 
of trouble from local bad boys and ne’er-do-wells ? 
The remedy lies in enlisting their active support in the 
move at the outset. Get something worth caring for 
and then make every resident feel that his credit is 
at stake, — that every man and boy is held responsible 
for its good condition. 
Railway companies are each year coming to more 
fully understand the advantage of convenient and 
pleasant station buildings surrounded by the verdure 
of trees and grass and embellished with flowering 
shrubs and plants. Unfortunately, there has been 
a very general use of tender summer bedding plants 
by prominent railway companies for this purpose. 
This is unfortunate because of the impression created 
in the minds of many that this style of gardening is 
the right thing, and unfortunate because the great ex- 
AUBUKND.A.I,E, M.\SS., STREET SIDE~EXAMPLE OF IDEAI. KAIEROAD PEANTING, BOSTON & AEBANY RY. 
use of the station ; everyone laments its dust, cinders 
and unsightliness or, if they do not, it is at least quite 
certain that everyone will take note of and rejoice in 
any mitigation of the usual unpleasant conditions. 
I am quite certain that should I be asked to de- 
termine what branch of work shoidd be first under- 
taken in any town or village containing a railway 
station, my vote would be for its i)ermanent improve- 
ment as the most telling thing to be done. For the 
station is not alone for residents: to all visitors, 
strangers, — friends and enemies alike, — it gives the 
first greeting and the last farewell. 
It is true that all of these not only use it, but abuse 
it as well, sometimes. But this is an added reason 
why it should be made so neat and attractive that even 
the wayfaring man, though a tramp, will hesitate to 
pollute its cleanliness or mar its order and beauty. 
pense entailed has frightened the less wealthy cor- 
porations out of undertaking planting of any kind. 
The fact is that while this purely decorative garden- 
ing is far better than no planting, simple, inexpensive, 
permanent planting is infinitely better than either. 
Improvement organizations can do good service 
for the state and for communities by methodical and 
continuous efforts to secure needed reforms 
in connection with railway property. A com- 
mitee formed of the most tactful, courteous, and per- 
sausive material available should be chosen for this 
work. Railway officials are busy men ; they know what 
they want, they like to deal with persons who also 
know what they want : they are accustomed to wield- 
ing unquestioned authority and expect and even exact 
their full meed of respectful demeanor from those who 
come asking favors ; they have grown so accustomed 
