132 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



tional Association of Gardeners, and not casually refer to it 

 editorially, thereby further misconstruing tlie position of the 

 gardener and placing his association in a false light through mis- 

 representation, instead of confining itself to the actual facts as 

 contained in the protest? 



"Your statement in your editorial of this week's issue, referring 

 to the secretary of the Xational Association of Gardeners, is an 

 incorrect one. You have not been criticized for printing any 

 report of the hearings. You were criticized for exulting over the 

 uncorroborated accusation of your correspondent at one of the 

 hearings. You have not been asked to come to the defense of 

 toe gardener. He is already ably defended. 



"In the name of justice. 1 now ask that you a.yain iiulilish the 

 editorial comment complained of, which was affixed to the report 

 from your Boston correspondent of the Le.tjislative hearing, and 

 appeared in your issue of April 21, and the protest of the asso- 

 ciation. Then say what you will in your defense, and let it rest 

 with your readers to pass judgment whetlier you were justified 

 in publishing what you did. 



"Above all. play fair. That is the only favor the gardeners are 

 seeking. "M. C. Ebel. Secretary, 



"Xational Association of Gardeners." 



The riorisis' E.vcliange has not had an opportunity to comply 

 with the request contained in the last communication from the 

 association as this paper goes to press, but 1 trust that it no longer 

 misunderstands my attitude in the matter. 1 do not now con- 

 done, nor have I ever condoned the practice of payin.g commis- 

 sions any more than I would condone the practice of mali.gning 

 a particular craft for offenses that may be committed b.\ a iniiinr- 

 ity of its followers. 



It sometimes appears that there really has been something new 

 imcovcrcd about the practice of giving ".gratuitously." but it is 

 as old as history itself, for was not our first gardener. Adam, 

 tempted by gratuitous advice? .\l>use will ne\er avail much, 

 but as the world grows better and man becomes more enlightened 

 on the difi'crence between good and evil, we may cxjiect to see 

 the evil complained of gradually abated. In the meanwhile, let 

 him who has not sinned cast the first stone. M. C'. K. 



Postscript : The Florists' Exchoiigc. is out with another vague 

 editorial, evidently preferring to pursue this course instead of 

 publi.shing our protests and let its readers reach their own con- 

 clusions. Its plea for not doing as it was asked to do is. "matters 

 of immedatc interest and importance render it impractical." 



As to its own defense it states, "we don't hap])en to feel tb;it we 

 are on trial so must refrain from that also. " It conchules its edi- 

 torial with "we feel that in the interest of progress this subject 

 should be, and is considered, closed." 



Silence is golden ! But — I wonder whether the /'7(in,v/.?' E.i- 

 clutniic w'i.shes the gardeners to accept its desire to silence further 

 discussion as a confession of guilt on its jiarl though lacking the 

 spirit of fair-mindedness to admit it? M. C. E. 



INTERESTING YOUR EMPLOYER 

 .At this season of the j-car when Nature presents its most 

 charming appearance and all are enraptured over its wondrous 

 'beauty is the time that you should extend an invitation to your 

 employer to become interested in our association as a sustaining 

 member, and to lend his support towards elevating the standard 

 of our profession which means as much to him as it does to the 

 gardener. Sustaining membership dues are ten df)llars a year. 

 .Approach him on the subject, and if you caimot furnish all the 

 inffjrmation he may desire, tell him you will have llie secretary 

 write him fully. 



Your secretary is endeavoring to keep alert to the welfare of 

 the gardener and his profession. He trusts the time is not dis- 

 tant when he may move about more actively and come into more 

 frequent direct contact with the members. Until then the mem- 

 bers can co-operate with him to increase the association's prestige 

 through enlargement of its memlxTshi]) by interesting their em- 

 ployers and fellow gardeners who arc nfit yet members. 



WHY NOT MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN? 



Where arc the men who should now be replacing the former 

 well known writers, whose names appeared regularly as coii- 

 Irilnitors to the horticultural press fif the past? I know there 

 are many among the younger gardeners wdio can very ably con- 

 tribute notes on interesting and unusual experiences, both in the 

 garden and under glass, which would be a departure from tin- 

 usual staid cultural articles which frequently are mere repetitions 

 of -what has oftentimes been written, if they will only make up 

 their minds to do so. 



It is not essential that the articles be lengthy to make them in- 

 teresting. Pithy notes on the merits of particular plants for dif- 

 ferent locations— ideas which will help to create indivirhialism. and 

 eliminate the samene^s obsirvi-d in so many gardens- suggestions 



on the use of native species to popularize them in our .American 

 gardens — anything which will arouse a greater enthusiasm in 

 gardening, that is what is being sought by professionals and 

 amateurs alike. Readers are no longer as keenly interested in 

 the plant's history as they arc to have more of its general ada|it- 

 ability for particular purposes. They like to read of e.xi)eriment> 

 which are proving better than some of the old school methods 

 and they look upon the professional .gardener as being best fitted 

 to advise them. That the G.vrdknkrs' Chronicle may give to its 

 readers what they most desire, your Secretary asks the gardeners 

 to contribute such notes to their official organ as they may 

 lielicve will prove helpful to others. They are not asked to do 

 this merely for glory, but they will be compensated for all notes 

 and articles accepted. This request is made to the older as well 

 as the younger gardeners. Address all your contributions to 

 Editor. G.vrof.xkrs' Chronicle, 286 Fifth .Avenue. X. Y. C. 



WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BRANCH 



.\ meeting of the members of this branch of the Xational Asso- 

 ciation of Gardeners was held in the Carnegie Library, Pitts- 

 burgh, on Tuesday, April 17th, at 8 P. M. Manus Curran, chair- 

 man, presiding. John Carman, chairman of Publicity ; .Aug. 

 Frisbkone. chairman of banquet; Xiel McCallum, chairman of 

 Lecture; William Thompson, chairman of Traffic: David Eraser, 

 chainuan of I'jitertainmcnt ; and Henry Goodband. chairman of 

 Programme, with Manus Curran as general chairman, reporte<l 

 and outlined their plans in detail for the National Convention to 

 be held on August 14, LS, 16 and 17 at the I'ort Pitt Hotel, Pitts- 

 burgh. Judging by the enthusiasm shown by the committees and 

 tlie plans already formulated the Pittsburgh convention is going 

 to be "something different." This great industrial centre oflfers 

 many unusual attractions, and a highly interesting programme is 

 being arranged. L<niis P.arnet was appointed chairman of the 

 Finance Committee. Niel McCallum gave a short but interesting 

 talk on "The Origin of the Darwin." which was much enjoyed 

 by the members present. Our next meeting will be held on "Tues- 

 day. May l.slh. at the Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh. 



Henry Gooub.\nu, Secy. 



ST. LOUIS BRANCH 



The March meeting was <le\oted to a farewell party to George 

 11. Pring. who departed on April 1st for a collection trip to 

 Columbia, South America. This meeting was largely attended. 

 Mr. Pring stated that the object of his trip was to collect showy 

 Howered Cattleyas such as Cattlcya Trian:e and Cattleya 

 .Schrteder;e and incidentally other trojiical jilants for the Mis.souri 

 Botanical Garden. The trip will take several months, and he 

 will undoubtedly return with a vast amount of experience as well 

 as plants. He was wished a hearty godspeed by those present. 

 Refreshments were served and .good-fellowship prevailed. 



The .\pril meeting was given over to an illustrated lecture b\ 

 Hermann Schwarz. on "The Great Out-of-Doors." Mr. Schwarz 

 told about the value of nature study, the need for conservation 

 and gave most interesting life histories of insects, animals and 

 birds. It was decided to arrange for a meeting in the field clur- 

 ing the month of May. P. Jensen, Corr. Secy. 



CLEVELAND BRANCH 



The Cleveland Branch of the Xational .Association met at the 

 •Alhambra Restaurant on Monday. .April .10. at 7 o'clock. R. P. 

 lirydon was elected chairman and .A. lirown. secretary. .All were 

 \cry enthusiastic on the formation of the branch here, and antici- 

 pate much good to arise from it. b'or being only the second 

 meeting, the attendance was good. Indications are that each 

 meeting will bring in new members. Three applications for 

 membership in the N. -A. G. were favorably passed on at this 

 meeting. Mr. Brydon gave an interesting account of the Directors' 

 meeting in New 'S'ork. and discussions on several topics followed. 

 The next meeting has been called for Monday. June IS. at the 

 Albainlira Restaurant at 7 o'clock. 



A. Hkown. Secy. 



NASSAU CO. L. I. BRANCH 



\\ e lUKJerstand that the meeting of the Nassau County Branch 

 held at Westbury. L. I., on .\pril 26. was a successful one with a 

 good attendance and that the discussions were both interesting and 

 lively. This, however, is all the data we liavi' on hand. 



Some of the Long Island members no doubt wonder why the 

 (j.\Ri)E.SERs' Chkoniclk does not rei«rt the meetings of their 

 branch as it does those of local branches located in other parts 

 of the coUTilry. We have <lone everything within our ixivver to 

 obtain reports for publication, and the local .secretary promised 

 to furnish us with (he reports fif the last two meetings in time for 

 this issue. However, they have not been received as we go tf> press. 

 In all likelihood, with the late season and accumulatd work tlie 

 secretary did not have time to give to his reporting. — Editor. 



