instead of lumps of fossil plants, a picture of how plants 

 are transformed into coal; instead of lifeless sage-brush, 

 a bit of an American desert with its cactuses and other 

 varied flora; a characteristic bit of the Everglades could 

 be transported from Florida to the Bronx; — the possi- 

 bilities of such graphic presentation of the enticing 

 botanical features of the earth are endless. 



By such measures for the esthetic improvement of the 

 Garden not only could it be made a greater force in educa- 

 tion, but the number of its 

 Flower shows - . , , , , 



Inends could be increased and 



greater interest in it could be stimulated among the 

 kind of people upon whom it must depend for support. 

 There are other ways by which the attainment of these 

 results could be aided. Just as desirable as special outdoor 

 horticultural features, are special indoor displays. The 

 central display house of Greenhouse Range, No. 2, affords 

 an opportunity for holding during the winter months, 

 when outwardly the Garden is least interesting, a suc- 

 cession of flower shows, the exhibits being supplied from 

 the Garden's own greenhouses and each show being 

 devoted to a special group of flowers, with its varieties 

 and hybrids, or a special floral topic of public interest, 

 as is done with great success by the Missouri Botanical 

 Garden. Such displays should be veritable works of art, 

 esthetically designed, showing the art of floriculture at its 

 best. If it once became known that such shows were 

 superior in quality and full of suggestions for flower lovers 

 and flower growers, they would not lack appreciative 

 and grateful visitors. Again, the Spring Flower Show of 

 the Horticltural Society of New York is visited by a 

 large number of persons — -'in 1922 by nearly 70,000, 

 coming from a wide range of the country — and thus 

 offers an excellent opportunity to reach a large public 

 interested in plant life. It is an opportunity that ought 



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