Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-09-15

lect a %slovenly kept one? The most
desirable class of people and more Of
them locate in the well kept towns.
This helps pay taxes and widens So
cial and educational horizons. The adj
vantages are all and always in favor
of a community that takes pride in it's
improvements and appearance.
There is great need of more interest
in rural improvement by the individual
farmer, as we'll as the resident in a
town. This work can well begin at
home. and a few hours well directed
in picking up about the place, getting
the machinery out of the front yard
and picking up the debris about the
house will have a stimulating effect
upon every member of the household,
not to mention the amount contributed
to the pleasure of passers by.
With very little trouble and at a
moderate expense u lawn al be we'll
kept and made attractive with shrubs
and flower beds. When a mans W
doeryand is clean he can join with 9th
ers in the improvement of school
yards. cemeteries. highways. public
buildings. etc. Many school yards are
"a sight TO behold" and the teacher is
not always to be blamed. Children
readily reflect the conditions they find
at home. and if they are accustomed
to throw all sorts Of unsightly objects
in the yard at home they will likely do
the same at school.
In many cases the school yards need
%remodeling and perhaps some grading
done. There may be IL lot of powders
to remove and IL few trees to be set.
\ bee called for the purpose would
bring in men and women. young al
old. the mel doing the heavy work
and the women providing coffee and
perhaps u lunch. Aside from the i'm
provement the occasion might provide
a genuine picnic and be thoroughly
enjoyable. The operations Il be con-
tinued to the setting of shade trees
along the highways. In most rural
cemeteries u little time could be well
spent in making them more attractive.
The highways are of all Importance.
Of course. the roads themselves will
be kept in passable condition. rocks re.
moved and the roadbed improved with
gravel OF macadam as circumstances
permit. But do not stop there. The
Improvement should extend to the linn
its of the highway. Brush. unsightly
stumps. stones, wild growth. ETC.,
which do not actually fit into the land
scape should receive attention. If there
is a strong community interest in rur;
improvement the town officials will Sc:
to it that things are cleaned up.
This is where public interest in pub
lie improvements applies. Citizens. in
dividually and collectively, should take
more interest in the appearance Of the
town and its progress. Working along
these general lines. not to mention
many minor ones. a community will
soon establish for itself a fine reputa,
ton which will travel far in these day!
Of improved means of transportation.
In this general connection never miss
speaking a good word for your sec
ton. If you cannot talk enthusiastic
ally of your home town keep still ant
let some one else. who can, do tAt
talking. When a prospective residenr
Of a desirable type visits a community
lock up your Hammer" and throw thu
keys in the well. In other words
speak of the pleasant things rather
than the unpleasant.-American Agri
culturist.