ROSES FOR BEAUTY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 10 July 1926, Page 9

ROSES FOR BEAUTY

HEDGES AND HIGHWAYS.

"I have for spme time past ypen lot:<si'S and articles in various papers with reie;lence to making railways attractive, and tree-planting along the Hutt road, ho ?s to make it 'a thing of beauty and a joy for ever'"' (writes "Box-on"). This letter, mainly consisting of extracts from various publications, is written to show what can be done in this direction, also to make h plea for the rose. "Coming west from Philadelphia on rhe Pennsylvanian -railway, I saw, from the car window, a wonderful flash of colour just as the train was getting into its speed beyond the Philadelphia city line (states one writer). A quick glance showed the colour was that of climbing roses, and that the sloping embankment facing the railroad tracks was ablaze with a wonderful show of either Lady Gay or Dorothy Perkins. . a . The roses were planted on the two banks of the Pennsylvanian Railroad near the Merion Station. There were about three thousand plants used." Listen to what the man who was responsible says: "I . made the planting with a view of introducing the idea cjf having a large number of blooming plants in a public position where the public could •enjoy them, and yet not pick them—in other words, educating the public up to a love of flowers without the desire of possession. Then, too, I wanted the people on through trains to the west to stop talking dollars and cents for a few moments and fasten their minds on flowers." "In 1909 the Board of Directors of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company appropriated 5000 dollars for beautifying the cut through which its main,line runs at Mount Vernon. This cut .extends for several miles, and in places is over a hundred feet deep. . . . The result has been a transformation of this part of the Hue. For weeks travellers passing through this cut saw ' the slopes above their heads a mas.? of pink roses against a background of green sward. Each year the display grows, more beautiful. Not content with this, they have in the last few years extended tha rose-beds until now they are found at Stamford, Riverside, Greenwich, Port Chester, and several other places." "Listen to what has been done by the city of St. Thomas, with a population ai some 15,000 or more inhabitants: Between the railroad and the streets is n beautiful boulevard' thirty-five feet wide, shaded with good trees and covered with a> well-kept sward. In every block we planted two beds, each 4ft by 20ft, with bulbs in solid colours, labelled for educational purposes, some carpet-bedded with crocuses, and others in.daffodils and hyacinths. In summer-time these bulbs are replaced with geraniums, . coleus, and other flowers, making a fine appearance to .the tourists on this important New York and. Chicago railway line." "Another example is •' from the London and Port Stanley Railroad:' 'Entering the city from south, after crossing a beautifully wooded ravine, one sees on the left the usual coal-yard, lumber piles, and the like;, but all, influenced by the 1 -cal spirit, are kept in an orderly condition and mostly screened from .the street .by flowering, hedges with a well-kept boulevard in' front. ... Further on is an area which has recently been redeemed, the redemption including the removal of an unsightly billboard. Incidentally, the London and Port' Stanley Railroad, allows no billboards along its right of way." Enough, let us in New Zealand ponder for ,a while. . . . ■ . "In regard to the main highway, that exposed position between the Hutt and Wellington, I have read trees are not suitable. Well, what about rambling roses? The right roses', will possess the roadsides to their enormous advantage. To. quote another extract: 'In: a certain Pennsylvania city a rather remote parkway has a slope on its north side planted with crimson ramblers. Hundreds of motorists make the out of the way trip every June to see the roses in bloom.' 'One of .the: main roads running out of the city of Los Angeles is lined on either side' for a distance of more than 20 miles with re~e bushes, over 8000 settings being required.' 'This spring (1925), the Boy Scouts of Charleston, W. Va., ai'e planting climbing and rambler roses along the ■Midland Trail from Charleston to Hurricane, a distance of 26 miles.' "But, you will say, this is not our exposed main highway. No, but do not tell me rambling roses will v not grow there. We have to-day many very fine hardy kinds. Why,, roses are to be found in the Eskimo village of Noorvik, on the Kobuk River, some thirty miles above the Arctic Circle; also throughout the region between Point Barrow and the Mackenzie River."