THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK- 



Encourage the birds by not only planting berry-bearing shrubs for them, 

 but provide a bird bath, nesting houses, and feed in winter. Birds are 

 man's best friends ; without them horticulture and agriculture would be 

 impossible. The more we can encourage them to visit our gardens, the 

 fewer pests will afflict our plants. 



Make careful note of desirable plants at exhibitions or when visiting 

 private estates, public parks and nurseries. Get into the habit of buying 

 and planting more shrubs and perennials in fall rather than spring ; they 

 do vastly better in nearly all cases and this relieves the spring strain. 

 Don't be discouraged because you fail one season with a plant you admire, 

 try again under different conditions the following season. Anyone who 

 loves the garden can see beauty in it at all seasons. Nature's boundless 

 workshop is never idle, and even where the eye sees snow and ice in su- 

 premacy, we know that very soon signs of activity will appear where the 

 melting snows allow the warming rays of the sun to kiss mother earth. 



I would close with these lines from Mary Howett on flowers : 



Then wherefore, wherefore were they made, 



All dyed in rainbow light, 

 All fashioned in supremest grace, 



Upspringing day and night. 



Springing in valleys green and low, 



And on the mountain high. 

 And in the silent wilderness 



Where no man passes by. 



Our outward life requires them not. 



Then wherefore had they birth ? 

 To minister delight to man ; 



To beautify the earth. 



To comfort man, to whisper hope 



Whene'er his faith grows dim. 

 Then, whoso careth for the flowers 



Will much more care for him. 



Mr. Craig gave a practical talk and in a way which made it 

 plain to all. He aroused great interest, his remarks being listened 

 to with much attention. At the close of the lecture he was called 

 upon to answer many inquiries. 



George V. Nash, 



Secretary. 



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