For October. l'^2l 



737 



quarantine seem to have concluded that hopes of revision 

 are slender and with fear of being disciplined, if they con- 

 tinue their opijosition, seem resigned to their fate. 



Not a few are now propagating roses, azeleas, rhodo- 

 dendrons, and various other debarred plants in large 

 quantities, which proves the quarantine to have some 

 redeeming features, but for it, we would have continued 

 to import many plants easily propagated here. However, 

 it is unfortunate that the Chinese wall built up against 

 plants from abroad, while it has stimulated some home 

 production, has at the same time very materiallv ad- 

 vanced the cost of all these plants to the garden lover. 

 It is surely a narrow and regrettable policy which com- 

 pels us to purchase such plants as can easily be propa- 

 gated at home and denies to us interesting plants and 

 bulbs raised bv painstaking hybridists abroad. We are 

 aware that permits can be secured after much red tape 

 for plant novelties but when such a world noted institu- 

 tion as the Arnold Arboretum has regretfully decided that 

 it is useless to attempt the importation of any more plants 

 under existing conclitions, there is little encouragement 

 for amateurs to attempt to do so. 



I feel that our association should continue to place 

 itself on record as opposed to Quarantine No. Z7 . \\'e as 

 gardeners are perhaps more deeply concerned with insect 

 pests and diseases than any other class of men, but we 

 feel that the virtual embargo on all plants and manv 

 charming and harmless bulbs from our gardens must not 

 be allowed to stand, even though we be offered bulbs of 

 the debarred bulbs and plants produced at home at several 

 times their cost abroad. And when we consider that such 

 dangerous and destructive insect foes as the gypsy moth, 

 Eitropean corn borer, boll weevil, and other I might 

 name, did not come in on plants or bulbs, that there is 

 no possibility of quarantining winds, birds, aeroplanes, 

 railroad trains, automobiles, or even the sea itself, all of 

 which have been and are distributors of both insect pests 

 and diseases, we believe that a rigid but sure inspection 

 at points of shipment as well as at ports of entry, should 

 surely safeguard the horticultural, agricultural and ar- 

 boricultural interests of America. 



I believe some members of our association think we 

 might well drop the signboard nuisance camjjaign but I 

 entirely disagree with them. Surely such an organiza- 

 tion as ours should stand most emphatically for the elim- 

 ination as far as possible of the ghastly advertising boards 

 which mar so much of the picturesque country scener\-. 

 Our action has received the endorsement of the Park Su- 

 perintendents of America, garden clubs, various civic 

 bodies, and individuals, while we have had some com- 

 mendatory newspaper publicity. When civic conscious- 

 ness will be aroused from its present torpidity we mav 

 accomplish more. We should stand firmly for America 

 the beautiful and refuse patronage to firms which per- 

 sistently employ these advertising methods, no matter 

 whether we are urged to buy tires, soap, pills, or near beer, 

 not even when the hoards display the catchy slogan, "Sav 

 It With I'loWers." 



The (juestion of whether we can by examination or 

 classification, select men most suitable to fill resi)onsiblc 

 gardening positions is one which will come before us. 

 Opinions on this subject will show a sharp cleavage. We 

 cannot afford to induce anything wliich may inflict harfl- 

 ship on deserving and competent men, whose opportun- 

 ities for education were perhaps less than our own, yet it 

 is desirable to exclude from our association and profes- 

 sion men who have no genuine claim to the word garden- 

 er and bring discredit on the profession. I believe that 

 estate owners will be just as eager as we are to debar un- 

 desirables and with their co-operatinn it can be accdnip- 

 lished. 



The training of young gardeners should continue to 

 receive our earnest consideration, for although existing 

 labor conditions may give us an adequate supply of men, 

 a return to more normal conditions will soon reveal an 

 acute shortage. The increment from abroad continues 

 to be small and it is apparent that a large proportion of 

 the gardeners and. estate managers of the future must be 

 trained here. Our state colleges and schools are in some 

 cases doing splendid work along these lines and some 

 public spirited estate owners are also helping. I hope 

 more will be willing to assist in training boys and youths 

 who show a liking or aptitude for horticultural work. 



The school garden movement will be presented to us 

 at this convention bv one well qualified to speak. Per- 

 sonallv I have for twenty years advocated its adoption 

 and extension and it is pleasing to note that the passing of 

 the war has not decreased its usefulness. Year by year 

 our children show greater skill in the production of fruits 

 and vegetables and at the exhibitions their products are of 

 a more superior quality and better .staged. I look tipon 

 the school garden movement as one of the most hopeful 

 signs of the times and one which will help to turn the 

 drift of population from the overcrowded industrial cen- 

 tres to the purer air, natural beauties, and greater com- 

 forts of country life. 



I cannot clo.se w-ithout expressing my high appreciation 

 of the honor you conferred upon me by electing me presi- 

 dent for a second term. I w^ould that I had been able to 

 do more to advance the interests of our association, which 

 has been verv dear to mv heart, in a somewhat busy life. 

 I have done the best 1 could. We all owe a great debt of 

 gratitude to our faithful, courteous, earnest, and hard- 

 working secretary. Mr. Ebel. who has now^ given us ten 

 years of efficient service in his eff'orts to uplift the dignit)^ 

 of our ancient, honorable, and enjoyable profession. 



A GARDENER'S THOUGHT. 



TTHE grav drab of Winter months is made more endur- 

 ■'• able Ijy the prospect of the return of longer and 

 cheerier days, and may I venttire to express the hope 

 that our association, bound together by the ties of horti- 

 culture and mutual good will, may yet be the moans of 

 bringing about a better and brighter future for the sons 

 of Adam's profession. Meetings where experiences and 

 opinions are freely exchanged will, I trust, help to make 

 us more proficient in our craft, more skilful workmen, 

 and yet more worthy of sympathetic encouragement and 

 help from our employers, thus proving to them that the 

 money they spend on their gardens gives them more 

 pleasure, and yields a better return than that which is 

 spent on other hobbies and pursuits. Personally, I have 

 to say. no trade or jirofession is more engrossing than 

 gardening. W^orkers in factories spend their days doing 

 the same task week in, week out, amid the noise and 

 whirr of machinery. The shop assistant has little to 

 vary his daily routine. The clerk is kept monotonously 

 on the same stool at the same desk, often under condi- 

 tions trying to health and temper. The gardener at least 

 breathes pure air, with little risk to health. Each week 

 brings some change of work. Each season has an added 

 interest. Some may say, with truth too, ''and change of 

 worry." Still, with its worry, its drawbacks, and its 

 hard work, none of us need to be ashamed to say, "I 

 am a gardener." Let us do our best to prove we are 

 such in the truest and fullest sense of the word. 



"Taking no thought for the things of the morrow" 

 finds no place in the gardener's lot. It is a case of ever- 

 lastingly taking thought for the things of the morrow ; 

 living in the future, forming mental pictures of that 

 which is to be. — /. /. Graham. 



