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ECHOES FROM SOCIETY MEETINGS, 



Flowers for Guelph's School Children 



A distribution of 500 packages of Semple's 

 Branching- Aster seed was made to the older 

 scholars of the Guelph public schools during 

 May by the Guelph Horticultural society. 



The seeds are to be sown and the plants cared 

 for by the scholars themselves at their own 

 homes. An exhibit of Aster blooms grown by 

 the scholars will be held early in September. 

 The society also gave each scholar a printed 

 laulletin compiled by Mr. Hunt, O. A. C, con- 

 taining rules and regulations governing the 

 competition, as well as a schedule or premium 

 list, and full directions for the culture, cutting, 

 and arranging the blooms for exhibition pur- 

 poses. A copy of the bulletin will also be for- 

 warded to each memiber of the Guelph society. 



gether with several days' work with teams for 

 the beautifying of the school grounds. — (F. G. 

 Lishman, sec. 



May Meeting Was a Good One 



The first meeting of the year of the Ottawa 

 Horticultural society was held during May. In 

 spite of the lateness of the season there was a 

 fair showing of flowers and vegetables. The 

 exhibits were considered better than those 

 made at the corresponding meeting last year. 



In his opening address President P. G. Keyes 

 referred to the increasing cultivation of both 

 house and garden flowers in the city, and at- 

 tributed a great deal of it to the good work 

 done by the society. Members were urged to 

 offer plants and seeds to their less interested 

 friends and neighbors in order to create an in- 

 terest in horticulture. Mention was made of 

 the test conducted in Chicago, which showed 

 that over 100,000 children in that city did not 

 know the difference between a dandelion and a 

 rose. An interesting talk on tulips was given 

 by Dr. C. E. Saunders. 



Among the special exhibits was a tray of 

 "beautiful pansies of numberless shades and 

 hues, grown 'by Mr. W. Spendlow, of Rideau- 

 ville. Among the chief prize winners were 

 Messrs. W. H. Snelling, Jas'. Rowley, R. B. 

 Whyte, James Thorne, W. G. Black, James Cox, 

 D. McLaughlan, J. F. Phillips, H. P. Carstesen 

 and Dr. Fletcher. 



All the Schools at Work 



The Cayuga Horticultural society has just 

 complete^- its spring distribution of seeds, 

 plants and trees. No salaries have even been 

 taken by the ofl!icers, and as much public inter- 

 est has been excited as possible. The enthu- 

 siasm promoted by Mr. Goodman, the founder 

 of the society, reached its annual climax at the 

 meeting addressed by Mr. Race this spring, at 

 which nearly 500 people were present. 



The county council has given its annual grant 

 to the grounds overseer for floral work. The 

 liigh and public schools and local enthusiasts 

 are not lagging in their good resolutions taken 

 some years ago. A nice feature of the work 

 is the enlisimg of interest in the rural schools, 

 particularly the Decewsville school, where Mr. 

 W. J. Neale is principal. The members ob- 

 tained by him give their society bonus to- 



Hold Garden Competitions 



The directors of the Stratford Horticultural 

 society are pushing garden competitions with 

 excellent results. Prizes are offered for the 

 best gardens, and our society gives annually 

 seeds and bulbs to each member, requesting 

 them to make exhibits at our annual show, for 

 which we give prizes. Flower seeds in variety 

 have been distributed, including sweet peas, 

 asters, gladiolus, and this year tuberous be- 

 gonias. 



The prize list for our annual show, which 

 will be held in the City Hall, August 31 and 

 September 1, has been prepared. It is quite 

 liberal, and includes many classes for cut flow- 

 ers, fruit and vegetables. At the time of the 

 show it is possible we may arrange to have a 

 talk by the judge on flowers. There seems to 

 be a great apathy on the part of the public gen- 

 erally regarding horticultural matters, although 

 we have some enthusiasts who push things 

 along. — (W. iSanderson, sec. Stratford Hort'l soc. 



Doing Excellent Work 



The beautifying and cleaning of the old ceme- 

 teries of the town has occupied the attention of 

 the Perth Horticultural society. This laudable 

 work has been left entirely with the ladies, and 

 the manner in which it has been performed has 

 been such as to reflect the greatest credit on 

 those interested. 



During the summer months monthly meetings 

 are held on the lawns of the members, and this 

 has proven to be one of the most practical 

 means of instruction of any undertaken by the 

 society. Just now a movement is on foot, the 

 initiative being taken by the society, to lay out 

 a park in the town, and no douibt it will be car- 

 ried to a successful issue. 



The society has been of great benefit to the 

 community, as it has been the means of instill- 

 ing into the minds, of the people in general a 

 greater desire to beautify their homes and 

 lawns, so much so that many are found that 

 would compare very favorably with those to be 

 found in much larger places. The success of 

 our society is assured, as each succeeding year 

 sees an increased interest and a larger member- 

 ship. — (C. J. Foy, sec.-treas Perth Hort'l soc. 



Gave Away Trees. — The directors of the 

 Lindsay Horticultural society this spring sent 

 the members a few apple and pear trees, some 

 Victoria black currants, and a few packets of 

 flower seeds for spring sowing. The apple 

 was the York Imperial and the pear the Worden 

 Seckel. We had a very intetresting lecture 

 from Mr. Hunt on window plants. There was 

 a very good attendance. We have no special 

 line of work laid out for the year. — (F. T. 

 Trampton, sec. Lindsay Hort'l soc. 



