New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
THE BLOCKS BEAUTIFUL.
BROOKLYN HOMES AGLOw WITH BRIGHT
HUED FLOWERS.
EoUsEEoLDERs COMBINE FOR CIVIC IMPROVE
MENT-wINDow GARDENS ONE FEAT
IRE OF DECORATION.

IRE OF DECORATION.
Neighborhood Improvement is in the air in Brook
Iyn, and heads Of families who have never before
Deen Known 10 interest themselves in any form Of
agriculture are planting trees moving grass, SOW
ing seeds. setting out plants and trying TO rival
their neighbors in attractive devices for window
boxes.
The inspiration has come from the forward move
ment Of the househoders of the Block Beautiful"
under the leadership of the Municipal Art League.
Of New-York. and the generalship of Miss Zella
Mhau, Of No. 2s1 Henry-st.. Brooklyn. About
twenty houses in the section which has so sudden
ly sprung into fame boasting window boxes.
and the end is not near. Every day sees new boxes
added TO the display. and many housewives are
waiting for a warmer season. A permanent visible
feature Of the effort is the twenty-five trees already
planted in Henry-st., and the fortythree in Jorale-
mon-st
Miss Mihau's home the first TO be decorated,
three boxes OF pansies-one over the door and two
under the parlor windows-having been IN place
ever since the weather permitted. These boxes
made way a few days ago to more generous sized
ones OF geranums and vincas, the latter falling
the front OF the boxes. Large boxes Of SINH
lar sort have also been placed front of the home
OF Henry Sanger Snow at No. 30 Henry-st.
The Block Beautiful" is bounded by Henry,
Joralemon, Court and State SITS. Among those who
have fallen into line plan for beautify-
ing. and who have made arrangements for the
adornment Of their own homes with window boxes,
vines hanging baskets trees. Mrs Alice
Morse Earle, Myers Richardson Jones, George
Chauncey. Dr. Ulysses G. WOoley, Skeffington s.
Norton. Edward Barr, Mrs. George H Henshaw,
Sturgs Coffin, Theodore F. Miller. Charles NJ. Bull,
Mrs Laura Cutler Smith, DR. Thomas B. French,
Dr. Henry B. Minton, Henry d. Atwater, Mrs
Walter Shaw Brewster and DR.. Henry Conkling.
The Womans Municipal League of the Heights
IS taking active interest in the project, and.
with a view 10 charging the borders of the civic
besutifying effort has established a committee,
with Miss Milhau chairman. The other mem
bers OF the committee are Mrs. Camden c. Dixie,
Mrs. James w. Mcbride, Mrs. William S. Packer.
Mrs Samuel BOVINE Duryea, Mrs. Henry Earle,
Mrs Barbour Mrs. James B. Elwell. Mrs. Cary
and Mrs. Woodruff Leeming
One of the first movements Of the committee was
the giving OF seeds to the children Of public
school. and the offering Of prizes for the best
plants raised by the youngsters when school shall
open in the fall
No less enthusiastic than the promoters of the
enterprise the Heights the denzens of the
Second Block Beautiful in Quincy-st.. between
Bedford and Nostrand Indeed, this block
claims priority in the movement, its residents
having banded themselves together into an or
ganization known the Seventh Election District
Association three years with the sole purpose
Of improving their block. The pace set by the
Heights. however, has stimulated the QuinCy-st.
block 10 renewed effort. and display of verdure
never before seen In the neighborhOod is promised
for the summer
This block is composed of rows OF brick and
brownsone houses and Of detached villalike homes,
which with their generous sized yards. afford op-
portnnity for a varied display. Window boxes in
tAis district not out yet, but many are ordered
Hanging baskets adorn porches and veran-
oas. vines and trees 10 be planted and beds
OF flowers are being prepared. To forward the
ehoft and Insure success In the undertaking. the
poys OF this block have been organized into
society known as the Boys Protective League
and II mas been constituted warden of all the trees
,ihts ana noWers in the vicinity. Nelson Holden
captain OF the league, and Walter Krause is ad-
SUI further up, the Twin Blocks Beautiful"
49, projected. under the guidance of Wal
nnsshue Baptist Church, at Sumner-ave. and De-
Ssref-st; IhlE church for the last two years, be-
&c - oi IFS floral display. has come be known
ssaHs Hs church OF many flowers" II has front
-, ~ each street OF 100 feet. and between its walls
fee, sg sidewalks is strip Of ground about eight
vt,b woe About six feet Of the strip is sodded
nlsntsi ass ana two feet Of H. the church. IS
M 'fSSu 80 Win vines. shrubs and plants There is
on, atsS . ms year cotton plants 10 be set
"u ~ is expected that before the fall frosts
tln1Is,.J .yJutsung bolls of snowy cotton will be
itseie a. spectacle IN this region. The cotton plant
darL -. Dsanhilul. because OF its wealth OF rich
haf 80 toHaRe II grows about three and one
as fhey ,,aaisil. ne blooms white at first, and
The s.la lIa1tIfe take on purplish tinge.
house Is,11s were planted by Mr. Groom in his own
well undsr IA ~ Aarch, and the plants already
1aoef way They will be set into the ground