THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
215 
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National Association of Gardeners 
Thomas W. Head, President, Lake Forest, 111. James Stuart, Treasurer, Mamaroneck, N. Y. 
Theo. Wirth, Vice-President, Minneapolis, Minn. Martin C. Ebel, Secretary, Madison, N. J. 
Trustees for iqi/ 
William Kleinheinz, Ogontz, Pa.; Jolin F. Huss, Hartford, Conn.; Peter Duff, Orange, N. J.; William Turner, Oceanic N T • 
William H. Duckham, Madison, N. J. 
Directors 
(To serve until 1918) — William H. Waite, Rumson, N. J.; Edward Kirk, Bar Harbor, Me.; John F. Johnson, Glen Cove N Y- Carl N 
Fohn, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Thomas Proctor, Lenox. Mass.; Joseph Tansey, Tuxedo Park, N. Y.; Robert Weeks, Cleveland Ohio 
(To serve until 1919)— John W. Everitt, Glen Cove, N. Y.; Thomas W. Logan, Jenkintown, Pa.; Robert Cameron, (Cambridge Mass •' 
John Canning, Ardsley, N. Y.; A. Bauer, Deal Beach, N. J.; David Fraser, Pittsburgh, Pa.; George W. Hess, Washington D C • (To 
serve until 1920)— William N. Craig, Brookline, Mass.; L. P. Jensen, St. Louis, Mo.; William Hertrick, San Gabriel, Cal.- William Grar 
Newport, R. I.; Arthur Smith, West End, N. J.; P. W. Popp, Mamaroneck, N. Y.; Albin Martini, Lake Geneva, Wis ' 
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PLANNING FOR THE 1917 CONVENTION. 
President Thomas \^^ Head a<lvi>es tliat lie is organizing his 
Committee on Pnblieity and Committee on .Arrangements for 
the 1917 convention to be held in Chicago in December next, and 
that the list of members constitutina these committees will be 
annonneed in the next issue of the Chronicle.. President Head 
reflects the optimisni of bis employer, J. Ogden Armour, who 
believes that the entry of our country in the war will not bring 
about a general depression, but increased business activity and 
a continuance of llie present prosperity. Mr. Head, accordingly, 
looks forward to carrying out the plans already announced for 
the holding of the first convention of the association in a 
western citv. 
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for frying for the a«ard of the medals. I believe these awards 
should be made through local committees, where they would get 
in touch with members who have plants or plantations of great 
merit on the home grounds or in their greenhouses. Capable 
members could be appointed to visit such places, and judge upon 
tlie merits of anything that shows special skill, as the rules of 
our association would allow. I do not pose as an authority on 
such matters, but it does seem to me that it would be more 
just to all the members, than simply giving the authority for 
such things to local exhibitions. 
Trusting that these matters may be diseusesd through the 
Chronicle by other members of the association, 
CEORGE F. STEWART, 
The 
COMMUNICATIONS TO SECRETARY'S OFFICE. 
following communications should receive the careful con- 
sideration of the members at large and should provoke some 
interesting discusison, both in the columns of the Chronicle 
and in gardening circles wherever members of the profession 
congregate. The establisluncnt of a benevolent fund, and greater 
co-operative activity are subjects of vital interest to all gardeners. 
Mr. Reader, what have you to say in the matter? The secretary 
will comment on the issues in the next number of the Chronicle. 
SECRETARY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS: 
The starting of a benevolent fund in connection with our asso- 
ciation, referred to in the .March association notes, having been 
on my mind for some time I was glad to see it brought forward 
by "The Onlooker," and venture to think that the idea will re- 
ceive general approval from the members. 
"The Onlooker'' mentioned some kindred societies in the old 
country having something of the kind attached to them, and 
there is another connected with agriculture I would like to men- 
tion, as it is run upon principles which entirely eliminate the 
possibility of any favoritism by the managing committee, for 
the recipients of bounty from it, which in this case takes the 
form of pensions, are elected each year by the subscribers to its 
funds. The subscribers to it arc, amongst others, estate owners, 
manufacturers, tradesmen and others making and selling goods 
used, and from whom subscriptions could be reasonably asked in 
connection with horticulture here, and the class from which ap- 
plicants for help come. Should any of the latter become eligible 
then the votes represented by the money they have subscribed 
are credited to them. In all cases the number of votes each sub- 
scriber is entitled to is based upon the amount subscribed in that 
year. The method of voting is very simple, and by mail or at 
the office. 
At this stage it does not appear necessary to discuss details, 
but it is to be hoped that if the idea meets with members' ap- 
proval thev will make their opinions known. 
ARTHUR SMITH. 
SECRETARY, NATIONAL ASSOaATION OF GARDENERS: 
I read with interest the doings of the Spring Executive Meet- 
ing of the association, especially the desire for greater co-opera- 
tive activity among the members. I think that could be brought 
about by ha\ ing local meetings of the nu'mbers of the association 
in the many gardening centers throughout the country. The 
trustees could decide how many members it would require to 
have such a local meeting. Various subjects could be diseusesd 
and reported to the executive to guide them in their delibera- 
tions. 
I do not think that the awarding of our medals should be 
done through horticultural societies. !Many of the members are 
not allowed to exhibit at these shows, and are thereby barred 
AMONG THE GARDENERS 
The announcement of the retirement of William H. Duckham 
from the professional gardening to enter the commercial field will. 
no doubt, be a gieat surprise to his many acquaintances in the 
gardening professioiL Mr. Duckham, who for the past twenty 
years has been superintendent of the D. Willis James Estate, 
of Madison, New Jersey, a place which has always proved of 
unusual interest to visiting gardeners to this section, is one of 
the principals of a company wliich is entering into the cut flower 
industry on an extensive scale. Five greenhouses, 61 x 500 feet, 
are already under course of construction on the outskirts of 
Madison, which, it is understood, are to be devoted exclusively 
to the growing of roses for the cut flower market. 
* * * 
Robert Whan has secured a position as gardener on the estate 
of ilrs. W. V. King, Convent, N. J. 
* * * 
Charles Thomas, formerly of tlie A. E. Voric estate, Cliester, 
N. J., has accepted a position as gardener on the Mrs. G. H. Lan- 
cashire estate. Jlanchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. 
* * * 
John Alcock, recently of "Burklyn Hall," East Burke, Vt., is 
now superintendent on the A. E. Davis estate, "Greystone Farm," 
Dover, jNIass. 
* * * 
M. A. Reipcr, formerly gardener to A. P. Warner, Boliet, Wis., 
has resigned his position to accept a similar one at Burlingame, 
Cal. 
* * * 
Frank L. Johnson, for several years in charge of the H. A. 
Kirby estate. Providence, R. I., has resigned to accept a similar 
position with C. C. Reynolds, Slocum, R. I. 
* # ♦ 
Frederick Bateman, recently in charge of the greenhouses on 
the II. W. Boettger estate. Riverdale, N. Y., is now gardener 
under Arthur Stratford, on the E. D. Hopkins estate, Beechfield, 
Baltimore, Md. 
* * * 
The scarcity of assistant gardeners offers no promise of relief 
in this country in the near future as many of the young men 
engaged on judvate estates in the capacity of assistants arc 
returning to their home country to join the colors. On Tuesday 
last Harry Cortwright and Cyril Hayman. of "Bellefontaine," 
Lenox. JIass.. and Alfred Woodger. 'of "The Gardens," East 
Island. Glen Cove, N. Y., sailed for England. They expect to 
return to the States immediately after the cessation of hos- 
tilities abroad, although on leaving were anxious to reach the 
firing line. 
