The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-16
Village ImprOvement-Dr. NOrthrOp's
Lecture.

village ImprOvement-Dr NOrthrOp's
Lecture.
DIR. b. G. Northrop of Clinton. Conn,
lecturcd on the above subject, at Acad-
envy hall, Wednesday evening. The au-
dience was large. DR.. Hamlin, in intro
ducing the speaker, gave some facts
regarding DR.. Northrop's work in Con-
necticut and elsewhere. lie had lectur-
ed hundreds of times on the topic and
| organized more than 200 village improve
ment associations. DIR. Northrop spoke
! in substance as follows
"IOu will ask at the outset. What has
been done in the direction of village i'm
provement? The first association know
of was started in New Haven, Conn,
| about 100 years ago. The college green
was graded and those trees were planted
which have given the name of Elm City
to New Haven. The beauty of the
trees has attracted thither many most de-
sirable and wealthy residents. So well
convinced are the citizens that improve
ments of this character pay. that a few
years ago $4,000 year was voted with
out dissent TO establish another park in
another part of the city. Europeans,
also, have devoted much attention to
|
the association that has perhaps done
the most notable work is that at Stock
bridge, Mass, called the Laurel Hill as
ISOLATION, from a hill near the village.
And what has been the result? Wealthy
city people have there built their sum-
mer homes, adding largely to the best
element of the population. The town
has grown in population, wealth and
prosperity. These people came there
because of the beauty of the town. Other
towns in the vicinity haye followed suit.
and have received the same advantages.
WILLIAMSBURG, one of this number. Justly
claims to be the most attractive college
town in America. Many towns in Con-
necticut have also been materially bcne-
fitted in the same way. People have re-
moved to them to spend not only the
warm months, but to make permanent
homes. The West likewise is moving in
the matter. In every instance the citi-
zens will tell you that the improvements
have paid. Now, it seems to me you
have town naturally fitted for adorn-
ment. You have already done some
thing, yet much remains to be accom-
plished. One of the aims of these asso-
Citations is to foster town pride. Another
aim is to fraternize the community. to
promote sociality. The true sentiment
is that of the Swiss cantons-'Onc for
all and all fer one Still another thing
these associations do is to care for the
health of the community. The majority
of diseases are preventable. Typhoid
| fever is one of them. Failure to comply
with the laws of health brings it on. Bad
water is frequent cause. Impurities,
often, cannot be detected by the senses.
The carelessness shown is frequently
great. In too many cases vaults and
other sources of contagion are near wells
and cisterns. But without dwelling on
the subject, let me state the rule of safety
for wells One writer says that no cess
pool or deposit of impurity should be
nearer than twice the depth of the we'll
some writers recommend IA much greater
distance. Yet another object of village
improvement associations is TO encourage
the planting of trees. You ask, What
trees shall be set? | would recommend
the native trees-the elms, naples, the
Eastwood or tulip tree and the ash.
Trees should be planted when very
young. If large ones are set, they are
almost certain to die. The Northern Pa
citic railroad, which has appropriated
SS0,0J0 for the work, plants two-year-
Odds. | need not stop 10 commend the
white ash-especially for economic pur-
poses. No wood surpasses it in strength
and lightness. Tree planting for econ
Omic purposes is coming to be "A subject
of Importance. In Maine, the large
streams are drying up in consequence of
the cutting off of the forests. European
governments recognize the value of for
est lands in this particular, and no forests
can be destroyed except by government
permission. | should hope that, if an
association were organized here. atten-
ton would be paid to filling the gaps in
the lines of trees along the streets. The
highways in England, France and Ger
many are made exceedingly attractive in
this way. One of the great benefits of
this work. in my opinion, is its educa-
tional influence. More should be done
by us to beautify our homes. We ought
to realize that Nature is the great teach
er. We learn language through things,
not by definition. Most great men have
come from the country. | have lately
been lecturing in Virginia and West Vir-
GINA and have passed through the val
legs and over the hills where George
Washington made his grand survey of
those States. 1t was in that wilderness
where he gained the strength of charac-
ter fitting him to become the father of
his country. The tendency to seek coun-
try homes is increasing; city people are
coming to see the advantages which they
afford AS regards rural Improvement
and residents two things are to be sought
to retain those you have and bring in
other desirable Inhabitants. Now, it
: seems to me there are few places that
can be made more beautiful than Middle
bury. But | notice along the roadsides
unsightly weeds, which should be re-
moved; and the falls and banks of the
creek are susceptible of great improve
ment. You have made an advance in re-
moving fences about the parks and some
residences, yet there is room for further
progress in this respect. In Williams
town there are no fences along the
streets. | think there is also "A chance to
better the surroundings of your railway
station. In some States-Maine, for eX-
ample-the railroads are cooperating
with the people in the work of adjoining
| tha towns Rut a nOint | wish Snnpiall "