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Roses and railways.

"Roses and railways." Outlook 1893, no. 98 (June 10, 1911): 276-277.
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Now that the public is to take a friendly interest in railways, and especially in those roads which have recognized the fact that they are dealing with human beings and not with bales of hay, there is likely to come in the near future a co-operation between the two which will make the railways more attractive and increase the joys of travel. A number of railways have recognized their obligations to the public, from which they derive all their privileges, by building attractive stations and approaches; and here and there, in many parts of the country, one comes upon artistic bits of scenery which the railway managers have been wise enough to create. The roads could be greatly helped in the matter of making their local approaches, and, for that matter, their entire track lines, more attractive for travelers by the cooperation of their neighbors. Recently, a station in the suburbs of Philadelphia on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a gang of men began to dig two thousand holes on two large banks between which the railway passes. In these holes later were planted two thousand trailing Japanese roses, presented to the road by Mr. Edward Bok. These plants were selected on account of their extraordinary productivity, one carrying very nearly two hundred blooms. In the future, passengers, instead of looking out at black masses of earth, or, if they are more fortunate, scantily growing grass, will pass between hundreds of thousands of roses. This private contribution by a commuter to the beauty of the road which carries him to and from his home to his business is an example which ought to be contagious. If the public is to hold the railways to a high sense of their responsibility, it ought also to co-operate with them in the endeavor, not only to secure courtesy, attention, and thorough service, but also to make the railway, so to speak, a delight to the eye. The planting of roses may be one way of ridding the landscape of the hideous invitations to drink particular brands of whisky and to wear particular kinds of underclothing which now irritate the passenger and make him wish he lived under an absolute monarchy and were a friend of the king.