The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1917-02-22


they are discontinued on account of
the steepness of the bluffs. For in
stance at Second and Trudeau Streets,
in this case the open ditch should be
closed and the sides planted with Crepe
Myrtle or other small trees. A similar
idea could we'll be carried out in con-
nection with the others. 1t is also
possible that some of them could be
done away with entirely.
GARDENERS COTTAGE
understand that there is under way
a very admirable movement to secure
a competent gardener to take charge
of the planting for the city and to. lend
his services, for compensation, to in
dividuals whenever necessary. 1t is
also suggested that it would be possible
to secure a man for this position who
has a family and would live in the cot
! tage near the city water tower If
| this is done some provision should be
made for making the grounds there
more attractive and home-like-in fact
| they could we'll be an example of a
model home developed under most try
| ing conditions. The banks, or terraces,
in front may be uniformly graded and
planted with Wichuriana roses, Forsy-
thia or some other vines and shrubs of
a dropping character which have very
heavy roots and will keep the bank
| from washing. Vines should also be
planted to grow on the porches and
other shrubs planted in well selected
locations around the building.
There is really little that can be done
to relieve the outline of the water
tower but if the rest of the grounds
are made more attractive this tower
: will not be as conspicuous as it is at the
present time. 1t may advisable to use
retaining walls on the south of each
side, as soon as finances will permit
the city to build them. This will not
only make it possible to plant more eff
fectively but will also make the walls
more secure and do away with the
present danger that heavy rains may
undermine the supports for the tower.
One of the needs of the city which
must receive some consideration is
that of parking space for automobiles
and hitching grounds for mules and
horses. The present plans of the city
are to do away with the hitching along
Main Street and also the parking of
automobiles on similar narrow streets.
When the Cane River Bank is graded
and developed, stalls may be provided
at convenient points along the river
front, as provided for in plans submit
ted to the committee. The present
hitching lot is not conveniently located
and is not ample enough for the needs
Of the service. 1t would be possible to
remove this hitching lot entirely and
to establish one at the north side of
the city lot above referred to. 1t
might be possible to maintain in con-
nection with this a Produce Exchange
for the convenience of farmers and
others.
SPECIAL PROBLEMS
There are several special problems
which the city must meet in the very
near future. One of them is that of a
more complete and adequate sewerage
system, but this must be worked out in
detail by the city authorities, as they
are more conyersant with the actual
conditions and may be in better position
to suggest means of accomplishing
their purpose.
| understand that the greatest diff
Guilty viii be in the colored and foreign
section, where little interest can be
aroused in things of this kind How
ever, proper legislation enforced by the
active body of citizens and officials will
make it possible to carry out almost
any scheme of reasonable development.
There is also the matter of refuse
collection, which should be under bet
ter system than at the present time.
When interest has been aroused to the
proper point, and when people have
come to realize the economy and sani-
tary advantages of frequent and uni
form collection, / believe it will be pos
sible to have department manned for
that purpose by the city, nominal fees
or taxes being placed to cover the cost
OF the service. This can be done more
economically by the city than by team
sters hired for the purpose by private
citizens. Furthermore, it will make 1t
possible for the city to fully restrict
the dumping of refuse, and will make
it possible for them to carry out GER
tain ideas and plans for grading and
building up some waste areas.
The ravine can at the present time
be treated in hardly more than one
way, namely: 1t should be cleared of
underbrush and kept free from all
growth, with the exception of few of
Lie UGSL tICCS dtld pSAhoPS q Az ~AAhtPS
of the hardest and best shrubs. The
low ravine will then present character
similar to the lower end, which was
cleared a couple of years ago. Ruling
should also be adopted by the city pro-
hibiting all dumping of refuse, etc.
With modern ideas spreading, it will
be found necessary in the very near
future to provide some public play
grounds for the children Our Ameri-
can children are being taught to play
less on the home grounds and more in
the public parks. This problem is partly
solved by the State Normal, but only
small proportion Of the children can be
served, and, furthermore, it is too re-
mote to be convenient for the majority
of children at all times. This makes it !
advisable to consider at once the mat
ter of ample and satisfactory grounds
in two or three other sections. The
present Athletic Park presents many
favorable conditions. 1t is quite con-
veniently located, has excellent soil, is
easily drained, and is so located that it
will not cause any great Inconvenience
or discomfort to nearby residents on
account of the poise, etc. 1t is pos
sible also that the section of ground
owned by Mr.. Scott, which lies just in
front of the L. & V. r. r. station, may
be used for playground purposes. I
would suggest that the matter be taken
up with the railroad with regard to
carrying out their arrangement to park |
the north and west sides, and it might |
also be possible to get them to make
some provision for the planting on the
south.
The nearness Of the railroad track to
this piece of ground need not prove an
objection for its use as a playground, |
as this particular spur is not very much |
used, and if parked, as above mention
ed, with close growth of trees and |
shrubs, there would be no cause for the |
children getting on the tracks. In fact, |
it could be made almost impossible for