The picture below shows an old, long-abandoned flour-mill in the beautiful valley of St. Helena, Napa County, California. At certain times of the year the mill is almost covered by vines. This is a familiar sight to anglers in the neighbourhood, as the stream that runs by the mill is noted for its trout.

A bit of Nature's gardening - an abandoned mill covered by native vines.

Here is a suggestion for the treatment of deserted buildings of all kinds. These eyesores might just as well be things of beauty. Vines will make the transformation. Are there not some tumbledown buildings in your neighbourhood? If so, why not start some native perennial vines against their walls? Perhaps the Virginia creeper grows wild in your neighbourhood. Dig up a piece, carry it off in a basket, and plant it where it will do the most good. You will do the community a good service, and the experience will be worth while for its own sake.