New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-09
DEFICTNG RTRAL SCENERY.

The DETACHMENT of rural scenery by ugly adj
vcrtiScments on fences. rocks and barns is an
old story: but in spite of frequent and vigorous
protests the evil custom appears to continue.
This is largely because many farmers have not
a keen appreciation of the artiSlh offence Of
such advertisements. They are Il good illus
tratOn Of the old adage that familiarity breeds
contempt. They have spent their whole lives
amid the beauties of nature. with the result
that their eyes are blinded to those beauties.
In this respect they are no worse than city peO-
pie. who for the same reason are almost wholly
Indifferent Ia eXcreScenCes that mar the beauty
Of city streets and buildings 1t is not hard
TO excuse the harricd farmer when he shifts
contempiuousy at the city botanst or ento-
mOlOgiSt who raves over those two enemies of
the farmer. "pcsky weeds and bugs" Nor
l. it strange that he sees little picturesque
beauty in the struggling fence which it costs
him 50 much time and effort to keep bull
proof" or perhaps even hog proof" and hen
proof" Why. therefore, he asks himself should
he not make three or four dollars year by
renting il 10 an advertising agent:
Nevertheless. there is good reason To believe
that the majority of farmers can he easily con-
WINGED that such advertising dcfaccs. ana there
fore dcprecateS. their property. This. at least,
i, the opinion of DR. g. Adler Blumer. Medical
Superintendent of the Utica State Hospital for
the Insane. Not long ago his attention was
called - the work Of the English Society for
the Control Of the Abuses of Public Advertising.
commonly known rs the "Scapa. This so
cicty has already done much 10 reform the
abuses of outdoor advertising. and DR. Blumcr
has undertaken. on his own account 10 work
a reform in his own ncghborhood on similar
lines The road between Utica and his coun-
Try home was defaccd by many signs some of
which were ugly rs to hr offensive. and all
Of which We're oft Of keeping with their rural
surroundings He communicated with the
farmers and others owning the adjoining prop
crty and requested them To have the advcr-
iiscments withdrawn and neat tin sign read
inc no ads allowed here" displayed. In
majority of cases he found that the property
owners were more than willing to do as he
requested Even those who We're being paid
for the advertising privilege promised not 10
renew the privilege AZ the expiration of the
contract When their attention was called to
thc matter they saw how disliguring such adj
vcrtiSencnts are. not 10 speak OF the fact that
property 80 dcfnced j. cheapcncd and vulgar
led Encouraged by his first success DR..
Blumer has now attacked another road. that
10 Whitcboro. and through the local Good
Roads Committee lie hopes 10 circulate Il great
maIe "ScIpa" appeals 10 farmers to keep their
property free from such cy"Sore> He has also
made arrangements TO address meetings Of
farmers on the subject and by Interesting
other people in TIA" movement he j. arousinS
Il public sentiment on the subject that is likely
Ia erect u Wholesome reform.
What Dr Blumcr = doing in his own neigh
horlloml might loo done also in every other
ncighborhood All that j. needed j. that some
oi, shall cll III" attention of propertyoWncrS
10 ihc matter And N order 10 stimulate In
1rrrst il wonll BE- y good thing to organize
society something liz, the English "Scapa.
with local officer, IN different parts Of the
country While the function Of such society
would he simply 10 persuade. We are confident
thl; It's efforts would be-. IN nearly all cases.
successful and that II would soon create 80
sirong Il sentiment on the subject that few
prolcrty-owncr> would permit such advertise
mcntS on their property.