For July. 1921 



653 



I feel that we will have a better and a larger association with- 

 out the diplomas, but I am ready to take the examination if 

 instituted by the association. 



I do like the spirit of Mr. Waite's letter, that kindly interest 

 in our fellow gardeners, to give freely of ourselves, that others 

 may be benetited. Chris. Kiefer. 



AMERICA FIRST 



;\1el\i.\.\ Hammund 

 I'd like to see my native land 



Before I start to roam 

 To foreign shores, so wide and grand ; 



]'d like to know my home. 



I'd like to view this sightly land — 

 The land that gave me birth. 



How can I. when on every hand. 

 Huge sign boards hide the earth ? 



THE SIGN BOARD NUISANCE 



Here we have a rcproductimi. reduced in size, of a full page 

 advertisement of a national advertising agency (name omitted 

 in the reproduction) which recently appeared in a trade iournal 

 to encourage the use of sign hoards and poster advertising along 

 our highways. This individual agency advertises that the appro- 

 priation of its clients for outdoor advertising last year exceeded 

 one million dollars, giving an idea what money is being spent in 

 this particular field of advertising. It has been estimated that 

 the total spent for outdoor advertising in 1920 was forty million 

 dollars. 



Those opposed to the desecration of our highways bv the ob- 

 struction and spoilin.g of views of our natural landscape with the 

 unsightly sign board will note with interest the suggested ideal 

 locations sketched in the illustration — turns in the road — where the 



automobiles might expect some open view of the country, only to 

 lind it obscured by a sign board. If this encroachment of 

 public rights is not suppressed, we shall soon be confronted by 

 a theatre of advertising as we travel along the highways. The 

 nuisance will not abate, but continue to grow until public senti- 

 ment emphatically records its disapproval to make the adver- 

 tisers realize with what disfavor sign boards along the country- 

 side are regarded. 



The Xational .Association of Gardeners is completing its plan 

 for a nation-wide "round-robin" campaign of protest against 

 the practice of the sign board interests and national advertisers 

 who are turning every vantage point along the country's high- 

 ways into Monumental eyesores. The association will welcome 

 the co-operation of all interested in this movement. Send your 

 name to. Sign Board Committee, National .Association of 

 Cardeners, 286 Fifth .Avenue, Xew York, and it will advise you 

 how you can assist in spreading the opposition to what prac- 

 tically amounts to vi.ndalism of the natural scenic beauties along 

 our countryside. 



NATIVE BULBS FOR MASS PLANTING 



{Continued from page 634) 



flowers. They thrive be.-t in light, sandy, porous soil, 

 and will grow either in sun or shade. If used for natural- 

 izmg. the proper location is one that slopes sufficiently to 

 pernnt the water from heavy rains during the Summer 

 months to run off qtiickly, so the buliis wUl not be kept 

 moist for any appreciable time during their dormant 

 period. i\Iariposa Tulips grow naturally on mountain 

 slopes, in regions where there is little or "no rain during 

 the Summer months, and this condition must be imitated 

 as closely as possible to insure success in other parts of 

 the country where the Summer rainfall is copious. If 

 these charming flowers are desired for garden culture 

 they may be protected from rain or artificial watering by 

 covering the bed either with coldframes or some sort of 

 thatch, or the bulbs may be dug after the blossoms have 

 faded, dried out and stored in paper bags imtil l~all. when 

 they may be replanted. 



The two strains of Calochortus that are not only the 

 hardiest and easiest to gtTaw, but have really the widest 

 variety and most gorgeous colors, "are Calochortus vesta, 

 and what is known on the Pacific Coast as the El Dorado 

 strain. The flowers of I'esta are from three to five inches 

 across ; the color is white, flushed with lilac or rosv pur- 

 ple, bright red at the center and purple-shaded on the 

 back of the petals. European growers consider this not 

 only the best Calochortus, but one of the finest flowers in 

 cultivation. 



The plants of the El Dorado .strain grow from one to 2 

 ft. high and produce branching stems bearing the butter- 

 fly-like blossoms. Of these scarcely any two are alike. 

 The colors range from white, through lavender and 

 violet to purple and again through all shades of jiink, to 

 claret red. 



The article in next month's isstte will be devoted to 

 native lilies and other Sjjring flowering plants which 

 should be ]nit in during late Summer and early .Autumn. 



There has, perhaps, never been a time when our ])uhlic 

 was so alive to esthetic value in municipal enterjirise as 

 now . .\ civic pride has sprting up that bids fair to trans- 

 form many of our cities. . . . .\s Senator . to 



whom this movement owes so much, once said : "People 

 are realizing the satisfaction which beautv gives in the 

 common affairs of life, and their realization of this is 

 increasing more and more." Xo longer, for instance, are 

 they content "that the landing place of the stranger, 

 whether by rail or water, should be the most forlorn, 

 abandoned, and repulsive part of the town." In fine, 

 ■■communities arc no longer satisfied with the old method 

 of accidental growth." — The Un/'artiaau A'ri'/ric. 



