The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-12-18

traction Here Is a good opportunity for cooperative effort. In many places our village Improvement associations are doing a noble work, and what they have accomplished in late years with in and near the villages, Is having a very stimulating effect upon those liV lnG more remote from the village prop CT, This spirit of cooperation should exist between the property owners on one hand and the authorities, to whose care the maintenance of good roads is entrusted, on the other,
 I have not touched upon the orchard and fruit garden, and the part they con- tribute to the household economy. Other writers and speakers have been over that ground times without number and not only made famous this classic city, it must be admitted without appearing to be discourteous, that in arranging subjects for consideration at our state board meetings, institutions and grange meetings, the tendency has been almost wholly in the direction of treating upon those questions that have to with our material prosperity while the home and its comforts within. and attractions and external surroundings, are rarely brought forward with that prominence that their importance would seem to demand.
 While I have felt many misgivings since I have accepted the invitation of your committee to present some | ( b-,- cI,biAet at this meeting, still I can but esteem it Q ! privilege to have an opportunity to sup plement the very work which others in this vicinity advocated so many years ago. Some of them "rest from their labors but their works do follow them" The name of James Hillhouse will live in the hearts of the citizens of New Haven as long as the noble elms, which, a century ago, were plant ed by his own hands and which have not only made femous this classic city, but which have been an example for others to initiate in very city in the country. am so glad to come to the home of Northrup, the founder of the | Village Improvement associations, that, all over New England, are profting by l his suggestions and accomplishing so much in this feature of rural life. l bring my tribute of hearty appreciation of his unliring devotion to this work.
 Here, too, some thirty-two years ago, your townsman, Donald G. Nit cheH, or "Ik Marvel" in his account of rural farm life, so humorously as well as seriously portrayed in My Farm at Edgewood" directed the thoughts of his readers in the same general direction that I have been ad- vocating in this paper
 If I may be permitted to allude to matters somewhat personal in their nature, will say that these noble eX- amples of devotion to tree life here in this City of Elms' and all up and down the beautiful valley of the Connecticut have been an inspiration to me, to con- | tribute my share in advancing this line of work, whenever and wherever an opportunity afforded. I may here add that I have not had to wait long for an opportunity of this kind to offer, for waA many years ago called to accept a position on the board of park commits sioners of my own city of Worcester.
 It has since fallen to my lot to take full charge of the planting of the shade trees along our city thoroughfares. and since my connection with this work oVe. thirty miles of streets have been cov- tered. using over eight thousand trees, which have been planted with my own hands or under my immediate superVI- sion. Those first planted, some fifteen years ago, have already acquired sutfi- cient size to afford a, most acceptable shade, as well as marking a great inn provement in the appearance of ouI highways.
 What. then, is the effect of this work upon our lives and that of others? Youi own B. G. Northrup has well answered this question in these words: "The hope of America is the homes of America It has long been my ambotion to i'm prove the homes and home life of ou
 industrial classes, and help them tC realize that the highest privilege ant central duty of life is the creation o1 happy homes, for the home is the chie1 school of virtue, the fountain-head oi individual and national strength anc prosperity. It is a worthy ambition t( surround ones home and children Witf such scenes and influences as shal make the every day life and labors brighter and happier, and help one tc 20 sunny and singing to his work. Oul youth should early share in such efforts for adorning the surroundings of thei1 homes, and planting trees by the way