Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1917 — John W. King Makes Some Good Suggestions. [ARTICLE]

John W. King Makes Some Good Suggestions.

Editor Republicans ' _ I read with much pleasure and interest the article in Friday’s paper, Mr. J. H. Holden’s suggestion as to the merchants beautifying Washington street with flowers in front- of their places of business. I fully endorse Mr. Holden’s suggestion, and I believe it would add greatly to the beauty of the street and make everything look more homelike. I don’t think barrels would be the proper thing td usg as flower stands. I would suggest that a box should be used, about 18 inches wide, 2% feet long, and about 12 inches deep, set on four legs, with top of box about feet aboye, sidewalk, with a few half inch holes in the bottom for drainage. The boxes should all be uniform in suze. Each man could paint his box with the colored paint that suits him best, any color-except black. A great many people object to flower beds in their lawns and give many reasons. Now to such people I would say that beautiful

flowers are the smiles of God’s goodness and in no other way can one beautify home grounds or place of business with as nttle work and money as they can with flowers. To such people I would suggest that they use a flowjefr .stand, which any man or boy arid many women can make and it, won’t take many flowers to fill one. Go to your groceryman and tell him you want a box about 12 or 14 inches square and about 10 or 12 inches deep. Then take a piece of 2x4 about 2% feet long, sawed square ori top, with the other end sharpened. Drive the stake 6 or 8 inches into the ground. Then nail the box on to the top. Have a few half inch holes bored in the bottom for drainage. Then najnt it any color and it is ready to be filled with dirt, plants and vines, and you have a vase that will improve the looks of your lawn surprisingly and at little expense. Since our commissioners have done so much in beautifying our irity by erecting such fine buildings, we as citizens should do our part in helping to further beautify out- city with flowers and in every way possible. Credit should also be , given to our mayor and city council for the assistance they have rendered. Now I would like to say a word about our town clock. It has been a nuisance ever since it was installed. It never has and never will give us the correct time longer than a few days at a time and should be replaced with a new one. The town people deserve it and everybody wants it and we all should have it. I don’t wish to make- any suggestion that might influence our janitor, Mr. Morlan, to do anything wrong, but I have often thought since I have been confined to my bed so many years with sickness, that if I was janitor at the court house I would be almost tempted to throw some pieces of it into the well if I couldn’t find a better place to hide them. Then we surely would get a new clock. J. W. KING. * P. S.—l wish to ofrer congratulations to you editors for the great improvements that have already been made in The Republican. Success to you.