436 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
and pretty at the end of a function as at the beginning. 
Sweet Peas look well in a tall, straight tumbler. There 
is nothing better than a low bowl for Pansies and Violets. 
Lilies, Callas and the taller flowers require high vases 
to give them individuality. 
Color is the predominant feature in Pansies, Violets, 
Sweet Peas, Wallflowers, and the like, therefore, they 
may be massed. But Orchids, Lilies, Iris, and similar 
subjects should be arranged so that their form is accen- 
tuated ; massed arrangements do not suit them. 
Roses are adapted to almost any kind of treatment. 
They may be used singly in slender vases, in groups of 
three or more, each at a diflerent stage of opening, of 
course with foliage, and massed when at the fully open 
stage. A large vase of full-blown Roses presents a glory 
of color highly appropriate in the decorations at an im- 
portant function, such as a wedding, ball, or entertain- 
ment of large scope. Chrysanthemums are equally 
adaptable. 
Carnations are generally arranged with foliage other 
than their own, such as Asparagus and Ferns, and often 
with other light and small foliaged flowers, like Stevia 
and Gypsophila. Carnation foliage costs as much per 
stem as the flowers, for the reason that practically every 
stem cut means the loss of a flower to the grower. A 
well grown Carnation plant produces only sixteen to 
twenty flowers in its season of eight or nine months 
under glass. 
When there is a wide range of tone in flowers of one 
kind, a run, say, from white to red, and including pinks. 
the rh\ thm of color from light to dark should be apparent 
in the arrangement. 
Beauty of color, or beauty of form should be the 
dominant feature of all good flower arrangements. 
The Rounder. 
A /t);i' bowl i>! Kitlanu-y roses arranged for effect. Note the 
fezv roses required for an artistic display of this nature. 
Medicinal Plants and Herbs 
THE following report of a committee of the National 
Association of Gardeners, which has carefully in- 
vestigated the supply and demand for medicinal 
plants and herbs, furnishes some interesting information 
for those of our readers who have been misled by news- 
paper and magazine stories of a shortage and have been 
induced thereby to embark in the growing of these plants. 
The report follows : 
"You no doubt are aware of the reported shortage of 
medicinal plants and herbs and have read in the maga- 
zines and newspapers that these plants should be grown 
in large quantities by the farmer and amateur. 
"This need has been brought to our attention so often 
that we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for 
this association to assist in growing these plants on the 
private estates. 
"With this idea in view, we took the matter up with 
the American Red Cross, who thought so well of the 
same that they handed our letter to Major Victor C. 
Vaughan, of the Council of National Defense of the 
United States Government, and an appointment was ar- 
ranged for Mr. Struck, who went to Washington on 
November 19, and at a conference of representatives 
of the United States Government and Department of 
Agriculture, it was decided that it would be unwise to 
interest the estate owners and managers in the growing 
of medicinal plants at this time, as there were a number 
of commercial growers interested, who could supply the 
present demand of all plants for which seed was ob- 
tainable. 
"The matter has been ])laced in the hands of the com- 
mittee on Botanical Raw Products and this Committee is 
to find out the requirements of the War Department and 
then see if the commercial growers can produce this 
amount. 
"We think it would be a fine opportunity to bring our 
Association before the United States Government, and 
would suggest that our secretary write to Dr. W. W. 
Stockberger, of the Department of Agriculture, who is 
a member of the Committee on Botanical Raw Products, 
and oft'er the services of the members of the National 
Association of Gardeners in any way that they might 
be able to use same." 
Julius Roehr.s, Rutherford, N. J. 
J. Robertson, Oyster Bay, N. Y. 
George F. Struck, New York, N. Y. 
The following additional information was obtained 
from the Institute of Industrial Research, Washington, 
D. C. : 
"FIRST: Investigate very carefully the quoted figures 
relative to the money value of drugs, which can be grown 
at a given expense. The statements which I have heard 
are incorrect. 
"SECOND: Investigate carefully the price which may 
be obtained for finished product. The price which I 
have understood to be reported is incorrect. ]\Iost 
of the belladonna which has been sold this fall has 
brought about $1.25 per lb. 
"THIRD : In order to grow a sufficient quantity of 
marketable drug to make the operations commercially 
profitable it will be necessary to construct on each farm 
a drying house costing about $2,500. 
"FOLTRTH : The United States Governinent does not 
buy crude drugs. It only purchases finished medicines. 
"FIFTH : There are already a number of established 
growers of belladonna, henbane and digitalis. There is 
no famine in anv of these commodities and the growers 
already established can readily fiu'nished ony anticipated 
shortage but no anticipated shortage is likely." 
