55 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY 



The private gardener should be the best fitted to teach the larger 

 pubHc, for he is in a position to appreciate most thoroughly the 

 needs and the longings of those with whom he is associated. 



The skilled amateur has gone through the mill of his own experi- 

 ences, and the true hobbyist is well fitted to teach and lead those 

 who are coming behind. 



The graduate of training schools and botanic gardens is entering 

 professional and commercial channels, thus getting practical experi- 

 ence on a sound basis and can provide much that is required. 



The handicap of all these — of everyone, indeed — lies in seeing 

 his own sphere of interest in too great a proportion. 



Garden writing for America is too great a subject, with too many 

 sides and faces, to be treated from any one standpoint, by any one 

 individual. Yet I am satisfied that the needs of the case are being 

 met, and that the future garden writings of America will be inter- 

 pretive and inspiring on a scale that the immensity of the subject 

 demands. 



The periodicals themselves exhibit the changes from the old 

 orders and the beginning of the new. Formerly, they were the 

 personal expressions of one individual; the editor was rather a 

 preacher advocating his special cause or point of view, and indeed 

 did most of the important writing. His publication was a personal 

 expression, subject to all the dangers of narrowness. 



Today, the editor writes little, practically nothing of value, but 

 he offers opportunity for the expression of all phases of thought 

 and differing viewpoints of all interests. What is wanted, indeed, 

 are writers to use the opportunities. 



