392 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS 
CONDUCTED BY 
FRANCES COPLEY SEAVEY. 
THE TOPEKA CENTENNIAL AND OTHER NOTES. 
So far as heard from, Topeka, Kans., is at the head 
of the class ; is, indeed, in a class apart, in outlining 
a hard-headed, business-like scheme of improvement 
work. Nothing short of a left-hand miracle (that 
means the antithisis of a miracle of goodness, doesn’t 
it?) can put a stop to the well-mapped-out career of 
the Semi-Centennial Civic Improvement Association 
of Topeka. Its entire plan is so good on its face, that 
it seems almost invidious to attempt to go behind the 
drop-curtain of its certificate of membership, and other 
course, means the arrangement that best meets the 
practical requirements. 
This end can only be reached by placing definite 
standards before the individuals who are to produce 
the great results desired, and means to that end must 
be at once forthcoming if the results are to be artist- 
ically worth while. 
We would suggest that those means should be mul- 
tiplied, but that the first, and probably the most availa- 
ble, is to arrange an exhibit of pictures, any kind ob- 
tainable — photographs, half-tones, paintings, etchings, 
engravings, sketches, or what not, illustrating the best 
ideas of landscape art as applied to the various phases 
of the work to be undertaken or now under way, as : 
the principles of planting design for home grounds, 
street planting, etc., with a group of pictures to illus- 
trate every branch of the planting and the pruning to 
♦ 
I If No. 
Certificate of inembersbip. 
igo4. 
Q. 
toil 
(xlebraled in lOO', under Jiftiiir/ 
raCtivc to visitors. 
For the purpose oj organised individual tOcrlc toward beautifgivg the City nj Topeka through the iihprovement oj home grounds.}^- ves. buildings, 
parks, alleys, vamiit lots, elr.. ’ " “ — ■ 
conditions o/clc\ 
M , ... 
having made written application, having 
agreed to 
Clean up and keep clean all home gro, 
Not to throw refuse in alley or street} 
rther the purpose of the Association has 
To plant herbaceous perennials, hardy shrubs and vines, which will add beauty and hide necessary but unsightly fences 
and buildings. 
To improve his lawn, both in yard and park, and to trim up and thin out the treek. 
To encourage others to join the association and to work for its purposes. 
Has been duly enrolled as a member of said association and is entitled to all its honors and benefits. 
FAC-SIMIL,E OF TOPEKA SEMI-CENTENNIAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP. 
printed matter, and suggest that there would seem 
to be one dangerous rock that, looming up directly in 
the way, may serve to wreck its efforts despite the 
nearly perfect chart it is steering by. 
The practical side of its plan, as clearly shown by 
subjoined copies of its principal printed matter, is 
well-thought out and admirable, but — what about the 
artistic direction of this work? 
What, for instance, is to be the standard in the 
matter of front and of back yard planting, the plant- 
ing of school grounds, the planting of vacant lots, the 
arrangement of perennials, vines, etc., included in 
its suggested work and in its prize list, and in the 
“trimming” or pruning of trees and shrubs? 
Such an undertaking as is projected (even under 
way) in Topeka is so good practically that the very 
highest artistic excellence is demanded. No individ- 
ual worker in it should be permitted to “go it alone” 
in the matter of artistic arrangement, — which, of 
be done in carrying out the proposed work at Topeka. 
If obtainable, the first step should be to put a copy of 
L. H. Bailey’s Cornell Bulletin, No. 121, “Sugges- 
tions for the Planting of Shrubbery,” into the hands of 
every member of the association. 
Lectures on landscape gardening by experts and by 
artistic amateurs should prove an interesting and in- 
structive educational feature, especially if such talks 
are fitly illustrated by lantern slides. 
Dear Miss Topeka, kindly appreciate our good in- 
tentions in making these suggestions (which are quite 
as applicable to other improvement societies as to 
yours), and please do not overlook the fact that art is 
the basis of excellence in planting, whether it is done 
in a back yard or in a park ; that such defects as badly- 
placed, illy-chosen or incorrectly pruned trees and 
shrubs become more glaring as time passes, and are at 
all times a standing advertisement of the planter’s ig- 
norance of the greatest art the world knows, which is 
