The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-11-08

Last week some forty farmers of Bedford,
West Chester county, New York, met at the
house Of the Hon. John Jay, and organized
themselves into village improvement asso-
citation, The purpose they have in view is
to promote the health, comfort, convenience
and attracliveness of the township as regards
walks, roads, drainage, the planting of trees,
shrubs and flowers, and the abatement of
nuisances. The association further proposes
10 establish and embelish open squares in
the villages of Bedford, Katonah and Mount
Kisco, and to encourage the preservation of
fine trees and attractive pieces of woodlands,
and the adornment of the village residences
with flowers and shrubs. The report read on
the occasion cites the work accomplished by
similar organization at Stockbridge,a village
of about two thousand population in NIadi.
son county, of the same State. That village
the report states, has been converted into a
" finished place" at an expense covered by
yearly subscriptions of from one dollar to ten
dollars and by contributions of labor with no
burden upon any, but rather a healthiul rec
reation for all. The result has been that the
improved appearance of the place has increas
ed by large per centage, the market value of
the houses and lands, and has attracted to it
persons of wealth from abroad, who have
built handsome residences and made large ex-
penditures, by which the villagers have been
substantially benefited. Two months ago
The San called editorial attention to the
changes wrought in the village of Clinton,
New York, by the good taste and enterprise
of the Rural Art Association of that place.
What was at first reluctantly entered upon be-
came, in the course of q few years, a source Of
enjoyment, and now, in point of rural beauty
and neatness, and cleanliness, Clinton has
IN Iva pl q Ial wi
Everybody knows how monotonous village
life usually is; how narrow the range of oc-
cupation and subjects of genuine interest,"
In stagnated or unimproved villages tedium
ensues, and young persons endeavor to get
away from them and drift into the cities. If
their homes were made attractive; if taste
for flowers and shrubs and running vines
were encouraged; if those simple adornments
were provided within the dwelling that near
ly all may have, and that give brightness and
color 10 the living rooms, the home senti-
ment would gather warmth and strength,
The above which we find in late number
of the Baltimore San is well worthy of an
attentive perusal by the citizens of our viii
lage, as it treats of subject, in which they
should feel deeply interested.
We would recommend TO our people the
immediate formation of a "vilage improve
ment association" such as are mentioned as
being in operation in the localities named in
the above article. Doubtless there are many
of our friends residing IN the rural districts"
who would heartily join in promoting the
object Of such an association, namely to
adorn and embellsh their county metropolis.
An esteemed friend, not resident of Bel Air
who has called cur attention to this matter,
assures US he would. and we are quite cer-
tain there are many more like him.