02 JOUR^'AL OF THE MlTCJlELL SOCIETY [NoV. 



expanses the trees must still hold first place, but even there 

 the shrubs are a close second, and in a yard of half an acre, 

 for instance, the shrub is the most important element that can 

 be used in decorative planting. 



IsTow, this was not a recognized fact in American homes 

 until comparatively recent times. Such landscape architects 

 as Olmstead and Nolen, for example, have done a great deal 

 in this country to make the people realize that shrubs, and 

 principally our own native ones, can be used with fine effect 

 in large masses. And if you will allow me to make any sug- 

 gestions for change here in jMontreat, I would say that you 

 have not enough shrubs in the grounds. That is the only 

 thing that I can think of for improvement in Montreat. It 

 would pay everybody to put more of them around their 

 homes, and especially in the large plots around the hotels. It 

 would make a wonderful change in the appearance of the 

 place if many more shrubs were planted. 



The Europeans were the first to appreciate the American 

 shrubs. These magnificent rhododendrons that surround you 

 here as a wonderful free gift of nature are shown in great 

 variety and beauty at Kew Gardens, London. If you will go 

 there you will find a collection of these plants of all colors 

 and kinds bordering the sides of a beautiful shaded glen. At 

 blooming time this glen is one of the most marvelous sights in 

 the world, and thousands of people go there to see it. Until 

 rather recent years one had to go to Europe to see many of 

 our handsome American shrubs and trees at their best in cul- 

 tivation, and even now this is still true in many cases. But 

 things are now beginning to change and we are using our 

 native plants more and more. Professor Sargent, director of 

 the Arnold Arboretum near Boston, has, for example, a gar- 

 den of American rhododendrons which is perhaps equal to 

 the display at Kew Gardens. 



In the early days the Europeans sent their explorers over 

 here to get American plants. These men penetrated the 

 primeval wilderness of these mountains and passed not far 

 from this very spot. Such men as Andre and Francois Mi- 



