49i4 



wzm. 



CONVENTION GARDEN 



[Editors' Note. — The Society of American Florists holds Us joth Annual Convention at Boston, Mass., 

 August 18 to 20. In conjunction there are also stated meetings of the various "special flower" societies devoted to 

 the interest of the Sweet Pea, the Rose, the Carnation, the Gladiolus, etc. These annual Conventions have been 

 accompanied by exhibitions of plants, building materials, sundries, etc., but generally of a "trade" character. Last 

 year, when the Society met at Minneapolis a new feature was introduced in the form of an outdoor exhibition of 

 growing plants set out in the form of a garden. Here the general public was able to see growing displays of many 

 novelties, which displays were maintained throughout the season. This year the city of Boston designated an area 

 of ten acres.vf land on the Fenway and under the direction of the Park Department as the "Convention Garden." 

 Here the amateur gardener will find, until late fall, many displays of growing plants, including novelties of the season.} 



fTpHE 



i started its 



Society of American Florists 

 I started its career thirty years 



i ago with a strong incentive and 

 a well-defined purpose. In the 

 earlier period of American horticultural development, the most 

 rapid progress had been made in what we might term the utilitarian 

 field, the study and culture of fruits having already assumed an 

 importance equalling, if not surpassing, that which it had attained 

 in the most highly cultivated portions of the old world. 



As in the history of 

 all new settlements, at- 

 tention had been given 

 chiefly to the useful 

 and directly remunera- 

 tive, rather than to the 

 purely ornamental in 

 garden products. 



But it was becom- 

 ing very evident to 

 thoughtful and far- 

 seeing minds that the 

 time was approaching 

 when the gratification 

 of esthetic taste and 

 the promotion of re- 

 fined comfort would 

 appeal to the American 



The "S. A. F." 



By W. J. STEWART, Ex-Secretary 



and its possibilities 



mination to really "do something." 



No more alluring field for action 

 under wise, experienced and zealous 

 leadership was ever presented. Its needs 

 were self-evident; the direction of its 

 coming evolution was unmistakable. If American horticul- 

 ture was to reach its full development, the work must begin 

 at the foundation, with the workers. If the great community 

 was to be educated to a proper appreciation and correct 



knowledge of practical 



, 



P. Welch, of Boston, Vice-Presi- 

 dent, Society of American Florists 



Theodore Wirth, of Minneapolis- 

 President, Soc. of American Florists 



J. K. M. L Farquhar, of Boston, 

 Chairman, Publicity Committee 



people with a force and in a manner hitherto almost undreamed of. 

 Already there were signs that the commercial flower grower had 

 begun to chafe under the domination of his affluent and sometimes 

 aggressive brother — the fruit and vegetable grower — in the 

 affairs of the then-existing horticultural bodies. Dissatisfaction 

 with prevalent conditions was rife. In short, the younger brother 

 was fast attaining manly stature and confidence in his own strength, 



and self-assertion was 



sure to come sooner or 



later, 



Thus the Society of 



American Florists was, 



in . its very inception, 



prepared for serious 



business. The pro- 

 gressive men of the 



young and virile flower- 

 growing industry, 



aroused as they espied 



the dawning of a 



new era in American 



horticulture, and 



thrilled with its in- 



Dillon, Chairman, Boston SpiratlOn, got together, John Young, of New York, Secre- 

 Park Commission filled With the deter- tary, Society of American Florists 



13 



horticulture, the real 

 start must be in the 

 training of the prac- 

 tical men to whom 

 the world could look 

 for reliable example 

 and instruction. The 

 pioneers of the Society 

 of American Florists 

 seem to have realized 

 that, before opening 

 their house to com- 

 pany, they must first 

 set their house in 

 order. 



The early hsitory 

 of the organization is 

 all aglow with the ardor of altruistic purpose. Steadfastly 

 and consistently have the original ideals been striven for. 

 Steadily has the task of fitting the workers for better work 

 and for greater usefulness gone on. The facts of science have 

 been applied to practical use; the gospel of beauty has been 

 preached as never before, and the ideality of art has touched 

 and quickened the oldest occupation known to mankind 

 into a loftier reality. 



The Society of 

 American Florists 

 and Ornamental Hor- 

 ticulturists, as its 

 title is given under 

 the unique Na- 

 tional charter con- 

 ferred by 

 has in a measure 

 the floral 

 this 



Congress, 



of 



J. H. 



in 

 made 

 dustry 

 try, and 

 inspiration 

 grown up 

 useful 

 which 



re- 



in- 



coun- 



under its 



there have 



the many 



special societies 



have rendered 



splendid service. 



Jas. 



B. Shea, Deputy Commis- 

 sioner ol Parks, Boston 



