COUNTRY LIFE
Cosmetic Botany A clash of ideals (associated with ardent co-operation and mutual esteem) is still dividing in some measure the authors , and begetters of the Roads Beautifying Association and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. The question is focused in a most admirable statement put forth by the Lancashire branch of the C.P.R.E. Lancashire has been a pioneer in the campaign ; and a great length of broad double carriage-ways is being constructed within the county, where the County Council are in sympathetic touch with both societies. The gist of the Lancashire philosophy is this : first, that continuous avenues of trees and avenues of bushes are a mistake. Secondly, that alien bushes and trees should only be used in suburban or quasi-suburban stretches of road. Thirdly, and more generally, that the planting of road- sides must consort with the character of the local scene. The only adverse criticism I should make of Lancashire's philo- sophy of aesthetics is that the objection to alien trees may be overdone. A cedar or a tulip tree is beautiful even when the prevailing trees are oaks and elms. The Turkey oak does not clash with the Sessile. The real menace is over- planting. Let the avenue be forbidden and clumps of bushes separated by at least thirty yards. The Ministry of Trans- port is taking a hand in the controversy ; and doubtless in all the new double carriage-ways planting of any sort should cease near the point where one road is switched into its neighbour. I cannot help feeling that the word " beautify- ing " is not a good word. The aesthetic value of a country road is the scene through which it leads. Cosmetic botany may very easily spoil both character and looks.
Previous page
