January 27, 1906 



H ORTI CULTU RE 



101 



Elsa Struss, Winner uf Lawson Gold Medal. 



to state distinctly to which of the 

 foregoing classes their novelty he- 

 longs; also giving to the purchaser 

 information on printed circulars with 

 each shipment, details as to tempera- 

 ture, soil, etc., to assist him in its suc- 

 cessful cultivation. 



Phenomenal varieties rarely appear 

 and, where they do, our attention 

 ought to be directed to the discovery 

 of cultural methods whereby their 

 vigor and usefulness may be pre- 

 served instead of constantly running 

 after new and untried sorts, so many 

 times to our sorrow. 



The conduct of originators who, af- 

 ter devoting much space and years to 

 testing a new variety, finally adver- 

 tising, and booking numerous orders 

 representing thousands of dollars, 

 find on the eve of dissemination that 

 it has developed some trait rendering 

 it undesirable as an acquisition and 

 then withdraw it. is to be very highly 

 commended, and I am glad to note 

 that their number is increasing. This 

 is a step in the right direction; we 

 need more men of this class. 



The most serious menace to the 

 usefulness and progress of our so- 

 ciety, in my opinion, lies in the stag- 

 ing at our exhibitions of varieties that 

 have little or no commercial value. 

 What is good for the advancement of, 

 or hurtful to this society as a body, 

 must act in like manner to every 

 member as individuals. 



The present date of our meeting 

 (the last week in January) is. to my 

 mind, just about the right time to 

 exhibit new sorts, as they are certain 

 during the dull short days of winter 

 to develop any bad traits they may- 

 possess. It is easy to place on the 

 exhibition table a variety, to all ap- 

 pearances almost faultless, which the 

 exhibitor well knows will not stand 

 inspection in his greenhouses at this 

 season of the year. The judges must 

 score on this exhibit according to the 

 scale of points adopted by this so- 

 ciety. It may score very high, so 

 that it is awarded the trophy we all 

 covet, viz., the gold medal. The prize 

 list is published in the weekly papers, 

 and the trade in general misled. This 

 prize-taker is extensively advertised 

 and thousands of dollars' worth of 

 cuttings sold. A wrong has been com- 

 mitted, and that upon many who can 

 ill afford the loss, not only in cash 

 paid out. but much valuable time, and 

 invariably the best bench space wast- 

 ed, which must be added to the first 

 ( nst. and yet our judges did their duty 

 well. (They invariably do; they 

 would not be human did they not 

 make an occasional mistake, but it 

 seldom occurs.) Who was to blame? 

 The extremely charitable will say "a 

 lack of good judgment" — or was it 

 the "honor of the man." I hope be- 

 fore this meeting adjourns that this 

 society will go on record as denounc- 



ing anyone who through misrepresen- 

 tation or concealment of defects dis- 

 seminates to the trade worthless new 

 carnations. 



What we need in the future is dis- 

 seminators with a sense of honor so 

 fine that they will not hesitate to 

 place alongside their product to be 

 measured by its requirements the 

 golden rule, and as they hear the 

 "whatsoever ye would" ring in their 

 ears will not thrust it aside, as I fear 

 is sometimes done, saying "this does 

 not include me." We would then see 

 less pointing of the "finger of scorn" 

 at the awards of our society; its in- 

 dorsement would mean what it should, 

 and was intended to be — a guarantee 

 of excellence. A feeling of confidence 

 would be a natural result amongst the 

 trade, and the American Carnation 

 Society would receive an irresistible 

 impetus toward grander and nobler 

 work in its mission for the advance- 

 ment of the carnation. 



The new set of by-laws for this so- 

 ciety will be submitted at this meet- 

 ing for your consideration and ac- 

 ceptance. I trust members will make 

 it a point to attend all the sessions 

 and by their presence and counsel 

 help to make them what they are de- 

 signed to be, mutually helpful. 



Boston and vicinity has left "the 

 latch string out" during your sojourn 

 amongst us and we shall endeavor to 

 make your stay pleasant and profitable. 



