148 HOW^ TO GROW ROSES 



helped, and the combined efforts of these various agencies are 

 beginning to bloom into activities of great promise. 



The American Rose Society most of all is, as its motto sug- 

 gests, increasing the general interest in and improving the 

 standard of excellence of the rose for all people. Whether you 

 grow one rose or acres of them, you will find it dehghtfully 

 profitable to join this fellowship of rose folks. It is distinctly a 

 mutual benefit organization syndicated to obtain, principally 

 from its members, and to distribute among them, anything 

 that will prove helpful. Its activities have been, and at present 

 lie, along the following lines: 



1. Establishing Rose-Test Gardens throughout the country in which 

 all attainable varieties are given an equal chance so that gardeners every- 

 where may select those best suited to their own particular locations. 



2. Encouragiiig the Establishment of Municipal or Community Rose- 

 Show Gardens for the greater enjoyment of a vastly larger number of 

 people at a very small cost per person so ser\^ed. 



5. Stimulatirig the Production oj Truly American Varieties for wide- 

 spread culture in our climate which differs radically from that of 

 Europe whence, until very recently, came 95 per cent of the roses in 

 American commerce. 



4. The Publication in the Annual Handbook of the names of all 

 members, arranged not only alphabetically but also geographically by 

 towns, so that all the registered rose folks can readily be found in any 

 locahty throughout 48 states and 26 foreign countries.* 



5. Providing Free Service for the Rose-Grower through an advisory- 

 committee of recognized authorities who cheerfully answer in detail 

 inquiries sent in by any member of the Society. 



6. Stimulating the Holding of Exhibitions in every available rose 

 center and offering gold, silver, and bronze medals or certificates of 

 merit for prize exhibits. 



7. The Committee of Fifteeii on Commercial Cut-Rose Interests 

 manages the wonderful shows of the roses professionall}- produced under 

 glass and otherwise presides over the interests of the cut-rose. 



8. Confusion and Uncertainty have been removed from the nomen- 

 clature of the rose and provision made for the regular registration of 

 all new varieties without duplication of existing titles. 



9. Cooperating with the Department of Agriculture in the distribution 

 of new roses hybridized by the late Dr. W. Van Fleet. Mary Wallace 

 is the first of these roses to be named for distribution. 



10. Arranging Rose Pilgrimages to Notable Gardens, public or private, 

 wherever are to be had the only three requisites: leadership and pil- 

 grims and one or more rose-gardens. 



^Membership in 1922 was over 2,800, and in 1923 is expected to exceed 3,000. 



