Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-10-22
Some Of the Good Results Of Vii
lage Improvements.
Residents OF cities select tho Hest Kept
towns FOR Their Temporary Abodes.
Parks, Trees and Neatly Paved streets
Are Good Investments.

The more rural portions of the !
country, having learned that the re-
sidents of cities are inclined to
spend portion of their time dur
ing the heated term Of summer
among them, are now taking mea-
sures to render the country village
more attractive, and so more desir-
able Of visitation.
If fresh air, pure as it is pos ssible
for it to exist, is desired, it can no
where be better found than in the
country Not only are healthful
conditions there to be found, but
such a degree of quiet as is condu-
Give to rest.
Those who have always resided in
the country are accustomed to the
hills and valleys, the springs, rivu-
lets and streams of water, the my
riads of plants, shrubs and trees,
the rocks and lodges, the cascades
and waterfalls, the many feathered
songsters that send forth their
sweet music, the animals that roam
the fields, and so are not moved to
ecstasies by their sight, as is one
born Bnd reared in the city
Feeling this as they do and taking
pleasure in the enjoyment of others
have led to the attempts at village
Improvements by village residents,
and, not only that, but to the gem
eral improvements of highways.
Within the period of 25 years great
changes have been wrought. Road
sides that were given over to the
growth of weeds and bushes and
unpleasant to the eye have been re-
claimed, weeds and bushes have
given place to grass, and the 'front.'
age of many houses has been trans
formed into beautiful lawns, having
additional attractions in the numer-
Gus blooming shrubs and plants set
therein With such scenes as these
in connection with the great variety
of natural conditions always to be
found in the country, afforded by
It's numerous roads thatrun in vari-
GUS directions, is it any wonder that
drives are sought in the co untry be-
cause Of the beautiful scenery?
Then, further than this, by the
general Improvements of the com
mons at the center of towns, by the
laying out of small parks, the pla Mt
ing of ornamental trees, Towering
shrubs and plants, with correspond
ing changes connected with private
residences, towns have been sought
after for temporary homes for sum-
mer.
But the effect has been still more
far reaching. Residents of cities, of
means, have been so oaptivated by
the general attractiveness of the
well regulated country towns as to
be influenced TO purchase real estate
upon which have been erected
magnificent residences, and so many
of the country towns have and are
becoming deservedly popular be-
cause of their summer residences
and as temporary summer resorts.
1t has been one of the good results
of village improvement Indirectly
to bring the residents of city and
country into more friendly social
relations. This has had tendency
to break down and remove barriers
that at one time were looked upor
as impossible. If the feeling tha
the better portions of rural communi
ties are of class entitled to fully al
much respect as any in the cities
can be fully established, a grea
good viii have been accomplished.
1t must be remembered that those
who are reared where nature putt
on her pleasantest appearance, as a
rule, are not those who go down
ward in the path of crime. The
continual observation of the gener
al adaptation of everything in ma
ture to some good purpose has al
elevating effect upon the human
mind, and the more association
there is with nature the more pow
erful the influence exerted. Child
ron taught in their youth to love
the beautiful seldom become vicious
in their older and more mature
years.
(phe above article is so peculiarly
in accord with our sentiments that
we give it Il place and urge ON oal
citizens its careful consideration
Why not organize a village improve
ment society this winter and be all
ready for work in the spring. II
not advisable as a separate organiza-
ton it might be taken up in con-
junction with the Chautauqua and a
few moments given each evening to
its consideration and the forma-
tion of plans for next season s work.
I But by all means let rs make a be-
ginning ED PREss.)