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AuauST 17, 1905. 



The Weekly Florists^ Review^ 



683 



ofllcialB, state vice-presidents or mem- 

 bers of our board of directors, would 

 result in great good and enthusiasm to 

 the societies themselves. 



The secretary could suggest the best 

 method of cluV work, could explain the 

 forward movement of the S. A. F., on 

 new or old lines, and could keep in 

 close touch with the needs and opinions 

 of the trade. On such occasions our 

 membership could and would be in- 

 creased. 



It being conceded that the greatest 

 possibilities for increase in members 

 and in interest in our society lie in the 

 florists' clubs, I suggest for your con- 

 sideration that members of these clubs 

 in good standing be admitted to mem- 

 bership in the S. A. F. at a reduced 

 rate, the dues for such local clubs to 

 be remitted by the secretary of these 

 clubs not later than July 1 of each year. 

 Your committee on closer relations at 

 Pittsburg in 1895, Messrs. Esler, Hill 

 and Beatty, recommended that the offi- 

 cials of our society endeavor to arrange 

 for the admission of florists' clubs and 

 members of the Florists' Hail Associa- 

 tion to the Society of American Florists 

 by the payment of a certain gross sum 

 which should entitle each member of 

 these clubs and associations to a yearly 

 membership in the society, said sum to 

 be fixed annually. This is in line with 

 my suggestions. It is worthy of your 

 consideration that our society also ad- 

 mit all members in good standing of the 

 carnation, rose, chrysanthemum and 

 other like societies at a reduced rate. 



As I believe the leading ofiScials of 

 these kindred societies are present to- 

 day, our committee to consider these 

 matters might be made large enough to 

 include one of their representatives. 

 Hear what President "Wood said in 1900 : 



Our members should be constantly thoughtful 

 and active for the society In obtaining new 

 members, soliciting every one who trades with 

 them to become a member of the society, fol- 

 lowing the example set by that distinguished 

 horticulturist, C. M. Hovey, of Boston, when 

 be was trying to extend the Massachusetts Hor- 

 ticultural Society. He and his superintendent 

 and clerks solicited every person who came to 

 his nurseries or greenhouses to become a mem- 

 ber of that society. In this manner I became 

 a member at the age of 24. 



Practical Edtscation. 



This subject has been referred to a 

 number of times in the history of our 

 society and I can only repeat the con- 

 clusion that our work should be done 

 through some of the universities al- 

 ready established. . The states of New 

 York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mis- 

 souri, Indiana, Illinois and probably 

 others, contain universities which afford 

 fairly good opportunities for horticul- 

 tural education. 



If the treasury of this society con- 

 lained a somewhat larger permanent 

 fund, or if some of its well-to-do mem- 

 bers would combine and contribute to 

 such a fund, the society might well en- 

 dow a chair of practical floriculture in 

 some of the already established col- 

 leges or universities, or it might pro- 

 vide for practical lectures to be given 

 at certain times during the year at one 

 or all of the above named universities. 



I would suggest that should you at 

 this time see fit to appoint a committee 

 to consider the subject of promoting the 

 adoption of a text book on plant life in 

 our primary schools, that this last ques- 

 tion can well be left with the same com- 

 mittee. 



Somethiog Besides Book Learning. 



John N. May said in 1899: 



It Is a deplorable fact that many graduates 

 from agricultural and horticultural institutions, 

 although well versed In the theory, are lamenta- 

 bly deficient in practical experience. 



A vice-president of our society in a 

 great horticultural center, himself a 

 leader, says: "Our business is just at 

 the dawn. Why, we haven't started." 

 He said further: "I am sure you can 

 do nothing better at Washington than 

 try to inspire our young men. Say to 

 them, foundation of success is honor, 

 next patience, do your work well, do 

 it a little better than the other fellow. 

 Know that you can do some one thing, 

 if only one. That is the first requisite. 

 Let the young man be able to say defin- 

 itely, I can do this." 



Of five agricultural college graduates 

 tried by him, all failed. They were bred 

 and trained away from the actual doing 



of the work. They were trying to di- 

 rect working men to do that which they 

 themselves could not do welL 



Build on Right Lines. 



The awakened interest in floriculture 

 means that many customers, and the 

 best ones, are seeking information, the 

 names of flowers and plants, how they 

 grow, their care. You are looked upon 

 as trained horticulturists. Your ability 

 and willingness to supply information 

 heljJ to lay a broad foundation for your 

 business. There are, as you know, some 

 shops bearing florists' signs whose 

 owners handle our produce simply as 

 merchandise, without technical knowl- 

 edge. They not only cannot tell the 

 customer what he may wish to know, 

 but they purposely mislead or exagger- 

 ate. While such misinformation reacts 

 mainly on themselves, the effect is bad 

 for the trade generally. Chemically 

 colored or distorted flowers are also to 

 be avoided. You ' * magnify your office ' * 

 by freely yet carefully dispensing this 

 knowledge. You acquire a reputation 

 among business men in your community 

 by your ability to supply this informa- 

 tion. Books of reference in horticulture 

 at hand which the customer may look 

 over at a convenient desk are a benefit; 

 books on gardening may be given out. 

 The telling of how to do these things 

 passes on to others and to your credit. 



A Field for Women. 



President Norton said at Toronto: 



We should not forget the ladies! I would 

 recommend they be given an opportunity to 

 enter the business. Their correct taste and 

 their aptitude for recognizing the beautiful in 

 form and color make their services desirable as 

 artists and designers, where harmony of color 

 is so essential. There are many women today 

 throughout the country who are doing a profita- 

 ble business on their own account, and there Is 

 room for many more in an occupation which Is 

 so appropriate and pleasant, and for which 

 they are so admirably fitted in refinement and 

 taste. 



While quite a percentage of our retail 

 flower stores for many years have been 

 owned or have been actively cared for 

 by women, more recently they have taken 

 up the work of house decoration. This 

 is particularly the case in the Pacific 



G>neresstonal Library, Washington, Where One of the Gmvention Receptions was Held. 



