Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1914 — Flowers Important Factor In Beautification of City. [ARTICLE]

Flowers Important Factor In Beautification of City.

The effort inspired last year to make Rensselaer more healthful and more beautiful than it had ever been before resulted in the greatest improvement that this city has ever made along those lines and doubtless resulted in greater enjoyment of the homes as well as benefit in the way of compliments from visitors to our city. The work of beautifying Rensselaer, however, has scarcely begun. Last year' flower growing was experimental with many who will this year have the benefit of their experience and enter into the spirit of landscaping with renewed vigor: Already many are discussing ~ the plans for the earning year and it affords a pleasant pasttime for the evening. The homes with flowers were distinctly the beautiful homes of Rensselaer last year. Flowers .that make lawns attractive are so numerous that the home maker has a great diversity for his selection and the winter evenings afford an opportunity for doing this. It takes time to develop large rose bushes and large clusters of peonies, but there are many annual flowers that can be employed while perennials are getting their growth. Beds of geraniums, pansies, salvia and many other blooming and foliage plants can be produced in a short time without great effort, while porch, boxes of plants and vines can be employed with attractive results. It is probable that money will be again raised for prizes and that tenants will he given special cash prizes as well as property owners. Now is a good time of the year to begin the plans for the home beautifying and every person should resolve to make their particular part of Rensselaer more atfiactive than it ever was before. The Republican has been wondering if some flower beds In the court house lawn would not prove of great attraction and along this line we would be pleased to get expressions from others.