The Press., 1899-05-18
(Jessie M. Good in How to Grow Flowers) VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ASSO-
 CAPTIONS.
Begun May 4th.

I wish I might quote entire a little pamphlet which gives the history of the origin of the society and it's constitution, but space forbids. Officers of the society consist of president, four vice-presi- dents, a secretary, a treasurer and an ex- ecutive committee, part of which shall be ladies'" The president, presidents, treasurer and secretary are all members ex-officio of the executive committee.
 This executive committee is given full power to hire laborers, make contracts and expend the money of the society. It is empowered to offer premiums for plant ing and protecting trees and other im- provements; but no debt may be con- tracted for beyond the amount of its available means. The avowed object of the association is "To improve and orna- ment the streets and public grounds of Stock bridge by planting and cultivating trees, cleaning and repairing sidewalks, and doing such other acts as shall tend to improve and beautify the village"
 Another article of the constitution pro- vides that Any person over fourteen years of age who shall have planted or protected tree under the direction of the executive committee, or shall have paid into the association one dollar or it's equivalent in labor, shall be qualified for membership" Any child under fourteen can become member by paying twenty five cents or it's equivalent in labor. The payment of ten dollars annually for three years or twenty-five dollars down, entities one to a life membership.
 Stock bridge has been much blessed in having citizens of high order of culture and intelligence. These alone would have made the village famous, but when to these virtues was added the uncommon beauty of her village, it has resulted in fame on two continents.
 Whether the work of this association in beautifying the town had anything to do with the choice of the Lenox neigh borhood I do not know, but certainly ii the village near this beautiful region had been the usual untidy, scrambling col lection of houses, men of wealth would have hesitated before building homes palace-like in size and splendor in neigh. borhood where they would be obliged to have such an eye-sore constantly before them.
 If this be so, then, aside from all per. sonal satisfaction in dwelling in the midst of beauty and order, the Laurel Hill Vil lage Improvement Society was the best investment of small amount of money 8 village ever made, for the advent of these millionaires has raised the value of prop erty fabulously. I have not enumerated half the charms of Stockbridge and have told but tithe of the work done by the society for improvement.
 Much energy and liberality is necessary to make an association as lasting anC beneficial as that of Stock bridge, yet | there is not town and village in the lanC but can mend it's streets and walks, keeI down the weeds and plant trees and flow CTS.
 The grinding crush of city life is send ing more people to the small towns tC | live, where nerves can rest and people live more rational lives. In few years the electric railways will web every de sirable road in the country, and more anc more people will build homes in desirable neighborhoods. Will your village attract | these people?
 ITO he continued next weekly