The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04
CITY BEAUTIFUL MOVEMENT
 AGAIN. IN THE ASCENDANCY

:, AOOENDANO1 1
 
 blossoms her tulip beds in the spring being masses of riotous color.
 There could certainly not be found more appropriate place for the de- velopment of city beautiful plan than is the city of Birmingham. In every direction new houses in various stages of growth proclaim the artistic taste to their designers and owners. But what need is there, indeed for a beau tiful home if it's surroundings show neglect? How much, too, is wasted in the building of a costly home if the grounds on which it stands are bleak and bare. Ruskin said, truly that beau ty is not expensive; it is ugliness which costs. This idea is growing in Bir- mingham. Of an enterprising business man 1t was recently said that he has accumulated more money in the past year with his real estate sales than with his mercantile interests. His plan has been to erect a pretty home beau tify it with plants and shrubbery while himself an occupant, and then advertise it for sale. The places are always so thoroughly attractive that purchaser is not wanting and his profits are good.
 So much for the purely mercenary mo- tive Improvements in the city this sum- mer have, however, been characterized by a spirit of good fellowship unusual in so broad an undertaking. Neghbors have combined in efforts to give a harmonious aspect to the decoration of their re- spectiYe homes; fences found to be detri- mental to the appearance of ones neigh bor often being cheerfully removed in a spirit of helpful and unselfish interest in a common cause.
 Apropos of fences-they continue to go. There have been a number of letters re- ceived in the mayors office during the past week, asking that some one be- sent to take away or stack fences found to be no longer necessary. The letters were from various sources; two came from Avondale, thought there were several from property-owners nearer the city. A pretty suburban home, noted recently in an Alabama town, was devoid of q fence, the lawn sloping gradually to the pavement, no line or break of any kind marking the separation of sidewalk from yard. Thus the lawn was made to ap- pear much larger. It is doubtless an easy task to mow such. lawn, there being no need at all for the clipping which con sumes so muck time. Irregular groups of foliage added greatly to the beauty of the broad expanse of green, giving it a park like appearance This use of the several feet lying between residence lot and ce- ment sidewalk is exceptionally good. There is no reason why the space should not be utilized as a continuation of the lawn when one has a sidewalk of this kind. A fence to mark the separation is always unnecessary except in places re- quiring cattle laws. When the fence is not to be removed they may be concealed by vines. An attractive stone inelosure which is covered with Virginia creeper and presents a charming appearance sur rounds the C. A. Stillman home on High land avenue. Another, the home of MT. and Mrs. William Hood on Arlington ave nue. Hardy vines and shrubs may be beautifully employed to hide unsightly ob- jects. A back yard with it's high fence and spaces barren of verdure seemed hopeless indeed, but after pretty blossom ing plants and vines had been distributed to conceal the unattractive features, the place was a charming garden spot Any yard, no matter how small or modern, may be made attractive Emerson might have had landscape gardening in mind when he said, Love of beauty is taste; it's creation is art'' There is much of both displayed in the Birmingham homes.
 The effect of the city beautiful move ment has been widespread indeed. News of 1t has gone forth and cities far and near have endeavored to devise similar plans The press in other states through out the northeast has given stories to it's readers of the veritable garden spot being made of our young southern city. and not a day passes which does not bring to the office of Mayor Ward re- quests for suggestions as to his plan of launching the scheme. No better story could be found than the one conveyed in the booklet Do it now' which sets forth his ideas in the beginning and these are promptly sent in response with a few suggestions. Knowing the repu- tation which is being made for Birming ham as a city of beauty, civic pride demands that reputed improvements should be made true to the letter.
 An effort will be made shortly to or ganize all the remaining blocks into im- provement societies as well as stimulate activity in those already formed Litera- ture will be sent to members suggesting plans of procedure so that the work may be again started in earnest.
 Large business houses in the city and vicinity are becoming interested in the plan to beautfy, officials Tn many railroad and manufacturing concerns having all ready agreed to plant ivey and clinging vines about their possessions.
 Next spring prizes will se offered for J yards, large and small, and in different parts of the city to obvlate chance of the same one being winner of more than one prize
 Prospects for beautiful city seem in- deed very bright with such plans in view.
 Mrs James Deveraux Markham an- nounces the engagement of her daugh- ter Sadie Henry to MT. Rufus Hefiin McLaurine of Pulaski, Tenn, the we'd ding to occur on November 4, at the home of her cousin, Mrs. Flournoy Rivers, Sla South Twentieth street.
 MT. and Mrs. A. B. Jones announce the engagement of their daughter, Myrtle, to Mr B. F. Quarles, Jr., the wedding to take place in December.
 MT. and Mrs Sol Meyer have issued invitations to the marriage of their daughter, Lillian Adele, to Mir Lee Frankel, on the evening of "Wednesday, (, October IA, 190S at S:3O o'clock, Forest avenue, Mountain Terrace.
 ''t, efa
 MT. William J. Appling announces the engagement of his daughter, Lulu Eliza, to MT. Francis Merton Houghton, the wedding to take place Wednesday even ing,) October 2S. at S:30 o'clock, at the First Methodist church of Avondale.
 At the home of MT. and Mrs. H. E. Shropshire Jr., Wednesday afternoon, will occur the wedding of Mrs Shrop- shire's sister, Mrs. Caro L. Stoddard of Selma. to Dr. A. A. Little, of Atlanta. Dr. Stagg officiating. The marriage will i. a+ nd 1;at a1x oft