Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1913 — Trip About Rensselaer Shows Many Fine Homes. [ARTICLE]

Trip About Rensselaer Shows Many Fine Homes.

A trip about Rensselaer shows that almost every person has responded with vigor to the appeal to give speci al'a ttention this year to the care of lawns and gardens. There are many delightful homes in all‘parts of town and the,evenly mowed lawns, blossoming flowers, clean gardens, etc., certainly are worthy of many words of praise The writer has not made a very thorough inspection and has., no authority from the civic federation to make any comment on the premises, but there are some model gardens that we believe several may like to see and we wish to call attention to the garden of Albert Brand on Webster street, that of

Sylvester Gray on North College avenue,, and of W. A. Davenport on Elm street. Mr. Brand reports that he las had both potatoes and peas Tom, his garden and Mr. Davenport has had peas. Mr. Brand expects in a week or ten days to dig his early potatoes and to then plant ate sweet cord, which he will have in succession until it is killed by ;he frosts next fall. Sylvester Gray has a patch of raspberry vines .that are really an ornamentation to his premises. They are evenly trimmed, of fine foliage and the ground about them spotlessly clean.Many lawns are more attractive than they ever were 'before and show that their keepers have given them every attention. At a number of the California privet makes a fine hedge, which can be trimmed evenly and does not interfere with the mowing of the lawn as does a fence. The privet is extensively used in the most fashionable (residential sections of the east. It is stated that it will grow readily from clippings. Paint has played an important part in the beautifying of the homes in Rensselaer and many houses are being treated .to the first coat they have had in a number of years. Among the greatly improved homes is the Wilson Shafer property, at the corner of Forest and Vine streets. The house, barn, garage and other buildings have been painted a uniform color. The new front porch and the addition to the house makes it very attractive. Owing to the work that has been going on Wilson has been unable so far to get <his lawn in good shape, but within another year he will have one of the tidiest small homes in the city. The general response made to the appeals of the civic federation to keep things clean and tidy is a matter of great satisfaction to the officers of that organization and should be to every person in the city. You can tell the friends whom you are invited to visit you that they will see a clean city and one that we are all proud of.