Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-08-09
v1LLAGE IMPRovEMENT.

| il is a wide awake association, reaching
| out a. nd being drawn out into one de-
parture after another until it's work is
of far wider scope than entered into
the dreams Of its founders.
So, perhaps, while many suggestions
that are made at one time and another
may seem visior airy and ilnpracticable
yet it would be difficult to say that tEis
or that idea is worthy of condemnation
only, or that this or that plan is be-
yond the possibilities of the associa-
tion.
If our little pioneer city labored un-
der the disadvantages Of some unfor-
tunate western towns in having un-
broken monotony of level country,
shadeless miles of distance, long sea-
sons of drouth when every drop of
water is worth it's weight in silver, if
not in gold, where The soil opens wide
cracks into which any amount of w;ter
may be poured with no other result
than to produce Kisses of seeming de-
rision from the thankless earth, then
one might be forgiven if one inertly
yielded to discouragement and oppos
ing circumstances.
But with so much natural beauty,
such diversity of location, such charm
of river and hill, Of, for the most part,
such wide and we'll shaded thoroug h.
fares as Marietta possesses, there is
inspiration at every turn.
Our city magnates are busying them
selves, just now. in laying solid foun-
dation for the lasting beauty of our
widest avenue and it remains for their
feminine coadjutors to add the touches
which shall render it a charm forever.
1t has been suggested that Third
street greatly needs added shade trees.
So also does Washington in part of it's
length.
Is there any reason why there should
not be speedily planted, where needed,
at the outer edge of what will some
OF these days be the beautiful wide
greensward bordering the paved road
way, lines of promising young saplings,
trees as large as can with safety be
moved, in order that Young America,
or older America for that matter, need
not wait discouraging number Of
years before realizing the fruition of
its hopes.
Many trees cost much money, some
times, but there are surely many pub
lie spirited men among our rural friends
who would willingly and freely fur
nish some of the trees necessary for
identifying the streets of their county
seat. in which they have with us
interest; and moreover this |
Village improvement Association will
doubtless find itself, erelong, reaching
out beyond city limits TO touch with |
magical fingers some of the uppromis.
ing spots in the township round about,
and then the good Offices of our farmer
friends can be returned.
There might be local arbor day, at
such time as may seem best for the
health of the trees, perhaps an imita-
tion of the old time house raising
'bees"-with which our pioneer auces-
tors were so familiar, and we also
Ihro' their winter evening tales-and
accomplic the good work of tree plant
ug by planting bee." which. how
ever, should be made an assured sue.
,ess beforehand, by some careful plar-
ng, and promises of cooperation Sc
cured.
There is n o necessity for uniformity
n the matter of trees.
One of the most beautiful avenues in
our country, though not one of the best
snown. is bordered with great varie.
y, the graceful elm and the sturdier
'ak locking arms, while the linden,
he maple and the delicate birch con-
ribute their beauty and shade. Even
he pine and cedar are not lacking, and
Who but would delight in their pres
'nce who realizes that as Lowell saws,
sn't it he, the most delight frap-
ance in nature is that brought by the
ummer breeze from the pine and
,edar.
A commendable effort TO improve
iny spot around the little monument
It the foot Of Washington should not
De allowed to fail of it's fleet by future
Neglect There are plants such as the
gorgeous fish geranium, which take
iindly to neglect and heat, and heap
Goals of fire upon your careless head s
oy profuse and brilliant bloom. in.
licious selection of foliage plants and
iusty miller and salyia would 90 far
10 redeem that desert place.
From indications on Scanned stree,
t is evident that before many months
we may hope to bury in oblivion the
memory of that much abused and some
What difficult street as it has stretched
rs weary and dreary length before our
Eyes all these many years.
There rises before the minds eve of
he writer steep and impossible h
street in hiily western city. too steep
or any but the most resolute pedestri.