The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
A HOUSE PARTY AT BLOUNT. INFORMAL ATTAINMENT FOR CLUSTERING INDUCEMENTS. TREBLE CLEF-TEA ROOM-EN- GAGEMENTS.
By MYRTLE MILES.

Some one asked not many days since. "What has become of the city beauti- ful plan?" What has become of it? It still lives-indeed is very much alive. The improvements one sees going forward everywhere, papering, painting and other preparations for a winter to be spent amid pretty surroundings all reflect the Influence of this good movement.
 The plan has, however, been placed in the background for the past two months. It achieved marked success in it's ineipi- encY. What with the campaign against fences. which caused demolition of scores of these useless and unloyely objects the fight against weeds and unkempt grasses, one recognizes that much good has been achieved. The support given by Birmingham women to the excellent scheme is deserving of the highest praise. Those who became members of block i'm provement societies entered into the spirit of the work with the intention of giving it their best efforts Bpt there was limit to the good that could be done. Many were away from home and, besides, the warm season is not the best time for organized and concerted effort along any line. Thus 1t was agreed by those who originated the plan that after launching and giving to the people of the city clear idea of it's meaning, it would De hest to hold it in abeyance until the women who were spending the summer out of town should return and add thelr interest in pushing it forward. The elty beautiful plan originated and hourlshed for a month or more during the summer despite the absence of many puolle- spirited citizens whose help would nave given it impetus. Improvement societies were formed in every section and the work of Identification began. A percepti- ble improvement was evidenced every where in the removal of ugly things which hefore had been a blot upon the land scape and there was a planting of flower gardens where nothing had grown before
 Unfortunately. however, the drouth came and much good work which would have begun to show ere this was lost. Plants were destroyed and seeds failed to terminate. The rain which fell few nights since, however, added to the re- turn of summer vacationists was the sig nal for renewed effort. An answer to the Mayors call upon the Birmingham florists for suggestions as to planting fol- lowed quickly upon the rain. The horai and horticultural society gathered to- gether a list of the proper shrubs, seeds, bulbs, plants and fertilizers to be used now in beautifying. Not only were these listed, but an excellent paper prepared, giving suggestions as to the planting of bulbs, the making of winter lawns, prep aration of the soil and the best meth ods of fertilizing. This paper was pub lished and has already been an inspira- tion to hundreds of householders. As most amateur gardeners know, Septem- Der, October and November, are the months in this section, for the planting of hyacinths, narcissus, crocus, tulips and other bulbs outside.
 Many have already begun planting, in fact from the florists may be had the best evidence of the far-reaching effects of the city beautiful plan. One said few days ago that the demand for bulbs already exceeds that of any previous year. Window boxes are among the most decorative methods of planting and Birmingham women are beginning to recognize this. Eight new boxes were counted last week within a radius of four blocks This is proof in itself of the inspiration de- rived from the campaign for beauty. Within the next three weeks there will be a great many shrubs planted. Many who sacrificed rear fences in the in terest of the city beautiful feel that they must have something in their place, hence after the first frost, which will probably occur about October 15, the planting of hedges will begin. They will no doubt be thin and scraggy just at first, but are very decorative later. One young matron whose home is new, is enth uiastically discussing her plans to make her yard an artistic place. A hedge will separate the back yard from her neighbours. "The first year." she said ''it must necessarily look thin, but I expect to have the gardener put some annual plants be- tween the shrubs to fill in the ugly places Later, of course, they can go." Another, whose home making talent amounts to a positive genius, has planned to rearrange her large yard with desire to create new beauties. Her sch eme is a combination of na- tural and formal planting. The rear fence went with others during the cam paign against them in July. In it's place will be hedge of California privet; in front of this will be planted shrubbery in an irregular or zigzag manner and at the edge she will place 8 variety of bulbs as she has always been extremely fond of their lovely