The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-09-29
FOR THE BErTERMENT OF coUN-
TRY LIFE.

E(JK HE DE lLfNE S0OAN-
/ TRY LIFE.
Some Account of the Emo Rural Improve
ment Society and What It Is Accom-
| plishing.
last fall the writer drove across the
country from Pomeroy to Bidwell, Ohio.
It was the first time in quite while he
had been over the pike between Kyger and
Porter and his attention was attracted,
and the pleasure of the trip heightened,
nv the unusual number of we'll kept
lawns, pretty beds of flowers and beauti-
fully arranged bay windows.
Recently in passing along the same
road there was observed on large oak
tree bv the roadside board with this
inscription, "Be a friend to the trees"
A little further along on hickory whose
limbs overspread the pike appeared the
following appeal, "Will all who rest in
the shade of this tree help grow and
care for trees along the roadside?''
Inquiry revealed the fact that the
women of all the homes, twenty-one in
number, for distance of two or three
miles on each side of Emo, are banded
together in an organization known as the
Emo Rural Improvement Society and
that they are not only doing things along
the lines mentioned but they are causing
the men to get move on themselves in
the way of cleaning up the roaGsides,
planting trees, removing dilapidated
fences, and erecting better ones, remov-
ing all unsightly rubbish in the way of
broken down vehicles, discarded farm
implements, and other unpleasing OBJ
iects. The use of paint and the erection
OF commodious porches are very much in
evidence Probably not one unsheltered
farm implement can be now seen on the
twenty-one farms connected with this
society But the influence of the soci-
ETY. is not confined to the families of its
members. 1t is reaching out along the
pike at both extremes and is branching
off onto the side roads,
As one result of the society's efforts
since the organization two years ago last
fall, about 500 trees have been set along
the roadsides, about dwellings, school
houses, churches and cemeteries. 1t has
caused potted flowers to be taken to
some of the schoolhouses and its mem
bers see that flowers are present at ev-
cry service of the Emo church. 1t is also
one of the obligations of the members
that every Sunday flowers shall grace
the dinner table,
The society holds meetings at the
homes of the members on the afternoon
of the. second Saturday of each month,
at which a program is rendered on some
feature of nature study, after which light
refreshments are served. The social,
educational, awakening, uplifting and
refining influence of these meetings have
been remarkable in many respects, not
only or the members, but on those with
whom their work comes in contact, the
society's motto being, mot for self, but
| for all. -
In a recent issue of this paper appear
ed paper read before the Kyger Farm
ers' Institute by Miss Cora Rowley, emit
tied, "Beautifying the Home" In this
years volume of the book prepared by
the State Board of Agriculture and dis
tributed at the Farmers Institute may
be found different article by the same
author on another phase of the same
subject, read year ago at the Bidwell
Institute. Miss Rowley is the originator,
president and principal inspiring genius
of the society. 1t is largely through her
love of the work and devotion to the
cause that the society has accomplished
its achievements.
1t is work we'll worthy of being
taken up and promoted in other sections
and while we are not authorized to say
anything of the kind we will take the
liberty to say for the benefit of those
who may be interested in further details
that Miss Rowley may be reached ovel
the citizens phone through kyger or by
mail through Cheshire, R. D. No. l
Ohio. Ohio paper.