PARK AND CEMBTERY 
S3 
NOTES, 
The village improvement societies of Stonington, 
Conn., Aiken, S. C., Niles, Calif., Arlington Heights, 
Springfield, Brighton (Ward 25, Boston), Beverly, 
Danvers, and Pleasant Hills, IMass., of Corn-\vall-on- 
Hudson, N. Y., Helena, Mont., Greeley, Colo., and the 
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association of London, 
England, all report having good success in enlisting 
the interest of railway officials in the improvement of 
station buildings and grounds. Much good has re- 
sulted from such intervention by these organizations. 
Railway companies are alive to their own interests and 
are ready to help those who show a. disposition to 
help themselves in the way of endeavoring to co-op- 
erate with them in an effort to secure more convenient, 
attractive and sanitary surroundings for their railway 
stations. Let no one be afraid to ask for reasonable 
favors of this kind. 
Several prominent improvement associations have 
a permanent railroad committee, among them, that 
at Montclair, New Jersey. The work of this com- 
SEASONABLE SUGGESTIONS. 
An exceedingly early flowering iris is pumila. a 
quite dwarf sort, bearing purple flowers in a few 
weeks after spring opens. It is not above a few inches 
high when it commences to flower. 
The broad leaved saxifraga, crassifolia, displays 
its pink flowers as soon as the frost is out of the 
ground. Besides that the leaves are evergreen, the 
whole appearance of the plant commends it. 
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora is much the 
better for being cut back quite close when trans- 
planted. A good pruning in spring is good for it 
at any time. 
As spring advances the ravages of the past winter 
become more and more apparent. There has not been 
so much damage done before in any single winter 
for twenty years, even native trees suffering badly. 
The chief cause was dryness of the soil, the trees 
dying for lack of moisture. 
Trees and shrubs not pushing well, whether from 
injury in winter or from transplanting, should be 
pruned in well. Very many of them will push afresh, 
and by autumn will appear none the worse for it. 
The dryness of the ground, absence of snow and 
continuous high, cold winds, have caused an unusual 
loss of evergreens in the East. In many nurseries 
native sorts, such as red cedar and hemlock, are badly 
hurt. A heavy mulching in the fall would prevent 
the most of this. ' 
Many planters prefer to plant evergreens in May. 
Pines should have their needles sheared off and 
broad leaved evergreens their foliage much reduced, 
unless when planted with a good ball. 
mittee is evidently patent to every visitor, as well as 
the pride of every resident of the city.* “Where once 
were heaps of ashes and old lumber, are now seen 
beds of flowers and stretches of green grass. Instead 
of a plaza dusty in summer and muddy in winter, one 
now drives or walks upon good pavement. Unsightly 
walls are being covered by a growth of Ampelopsis, — 
the vines being also a memento to the kindness and 
courtesy of the deceased Railway Superintendent, Mr. 
Reasnor, who greatly aided in the transformation and 
donated the vines.” 
Through the soliciation of the committee, electric 
lights have been established at the station, better ac- 
commodations and additional trains secured, and com- 
parative freedom from the boisterous solicitations of 
hackmen. Gates have also been established at certain 
crossings and various other practical benefits are set 
down to the general efficiency of this useful and suc- 
cessful division of workers. 
F. C. S. 
*From the Aenual Report of the Montclair Improvement 
Association. 
Cedrus Atlantica glauca is a hardy, blue foliaged 
sort, which is in good keeping with the .Colorado Blue 
Spruce. These blue evergreens add to the charm trees 
give to a place, always attracting attention before 
other trees. 
The Virginia creeper, permitted to overspread 
some half dead tree or shrub, forms a prett}’ object, 
and one which is a delight to look on in the autumn, 
when the foliage changes to a scarlet color. Wild 
grape vines are pretty in the same way, but do not 
take on scarlet colors in the fall. 
Trees, shrubs and vines with beautiful berries are 
the charm of the autumn. Set out such shrubs as 
Callicarpa purpurea, Pyrus arbutifolia, Berberis 
Thunbergii, and the vines Celastrus articulatus and 
Vitis heterophylla variegata, and you will have them. 
Prunus Davidiana, Cornus mas, Cornus offici- 
nalis and Lonicera fragrantissima are the first shrubs 
to flower in the spring. Though frosts sometimes 
catch them it does not appear to hurt them greatly, 
as it does the flowers of Magnolia, which also get 
caught sometimes. 
The pussy willow is Salix caprea. When in flower 
in the early days of spring it is as pretty as any other 
flowering tree or shrub, especially when its anthers 
are well developed. So many value it for its okl asso- 
ciations. 
Honeysuckles are looked on as easy subjects to 
transplant, and so they are, if set out before the buds 
start. Later plantings call for severe pruning to 
have them do well. This pruning really is an ad- 
vantage in other ways, as it causes strong growth 
from the base of the plants. 
Superintendents of large estates find a “nursery” 
