THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
25 
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GARDENERS 
WILLIAM N. CRAIG, President, 
Brookline, Mass. 
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS 
M. C. EBEL, Secretary, 
Madison, N. J. 
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT W. N. CRAIG. 
Fellow Members : 
Having been deemed worthy of election to the presidency of 
our association for the present year. I want to express my thanks 
and appreciation for the honor bestowed upon me. While fully 
aware of my limitations, I will give the association the best 
service in my power and with the whole-hearted support of our 
various committees and the members at large I am confident that 
the present year will be a most successful one. 
It is encouraging to note that our association is yearly be- 
coming more truly national in character and scope and that an 
increasing number of thoughtful members of our profession are 
joining our ranks. The work of our co-operative committee during 
the past year and the additional work planned for the present 
vear deserves our hearty support. The fact that so many 
clubs and horticultural bodies are co-operating in our movement 
is one sure sign of progress though we have but stepped on the 
edge of these possibilities for mutual benefit. 
The need of instruction to, not only young men, but others of 
more mature years in our profession was never more urgent 
than today; landscape gardening, forestry, botany, floral art. are 
only a few of the important branches which we. as an association, 
must strive to furnish needed knowledge on. 
The Service Bureau of the association as it becomes better 
known will be of benefit to both employer and employee. I com- 
mend it to the support of our membership. 
Our association now has a membership of about one thousand, 
and the growth continues steady and encouraging. I feel that 
we can without undue effort materially increase the membership 
to fifteen hundred before January. 1917. The annual dues of 
$2, which include the Gardener's Chronicle, are surely very 
moderate, and I hope members will aid me in making the neces- 
sary addition. I would not ask others to do what I am unwilling 
to do myself, and will therefore endeavor to add one hundred 
members myself, and, if those members in a position to do so, will 
assist me my prediction will be fulfilled. 
For those who can afford it, and surely many members can, I 
would recommend life membership. The .$23 life membership dues 
are deposited in a reserve fund. 
I would like to see more articles from among the members in 
the Chronicle; these may be of a cultural nature, reports of visits 
to other estates, movements of gardeners and other happenings 
of interest. Many of our young men could efficiently add to the 
interest of our official organ and I believe the time is not far 
distant when we can have a fortnightly and later a weekly 
Chronicle; have a Service Bureau which employers and em- 
ployees alike will patronize; and have an organization of suf- 
ficient financial strength to warrant the entire services of a 
competent secretary. 
For the National Flower Show which opens in Philadelphia on 
March 25. I bespeak the active support of our members. If you 
cannot exhibit there be sure and visit it. I hope that we will 
continue to co-operate with other national societies of allied aims 
for the advancement of horticulture, and I trust that the New 
Year which dawns with America at peace with the world and 
industries prosperous, will materially benefit our profession. 
With sincere New Year's greetings to everyone. 
Yours fraternally, 
William N. Craig. 
PRESIDENT CRAIG'S APPOINTMENTS. 
President Craig has appointed the following directors, to serve 
for three years: John W. Everitt, Glen Cove, N. Y. ; Thomas W. 
Logan, .Tenkinstown, Pa. : Robert Cameron, Cambridge. Mass. ; 
James MacMachan. Tuxedo Park, N. Y. ; A. Bauer. Peal Beach, 
N. J.; David Fraser, Pittsburgh. Pa.; George W. Hass, Wash- 
ington. D. C. 
To fill the unexpired term of W. N. Craig, to serve until 1918: 
William J. Kennedy. Chestnut Hill. Mass. 
To fill the unexpired term of A. J. Smith, to serve until 1017: 
Thomas W. Head. Lake Forest, 111. 
To fill the unexpired term of Theodore Wirth. to serve until 
1917: L. P. Jensen, St. Louis, Mo. 
The following committee have been appointed by President 
Craig to serve for the year 1916: 
National Co-operative Committee: W. N. Craig, Brookline, 
Mass. ; Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis. Minn. ; James Stuart, 
Mamaroneck, N. Y*. : Martin C. Ebel. Madison, X. J. 
Committee on Essays anil Horticultural Instruction: William 
H. Waite, Rumson, X. J. ; Edwin Jenkins. Lenox, Mass. ; Arthur 
Smith. Reading, Pa. ; Theodore Wirth. Minneapolis. Minn. ; Will- 
iam Downs, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 
Committee on Meritorious Exhibits: William Kleinheins, 
Ogontz, Pa.; Alexander Mackenzie, Highland Falls, N. Y.; William 
Hertrick, San Gabriel, Cal. ; Duncan Finlayson. Brookline. Mass. ; 
Albin Martini. Lake Geneva, Wis. 
Committee on Bird Preservation ami Propagation: L. P. Jensen, 
St. Louis. Mo.: Robert Williamson. Greenwich, Conn.; Carl 
X. Folm. Colorado Springs, Colo. ; William Rennie, San Rafael, 
Cal. ; William Reid. Orange, N. J. ; A. J. Loveless. Lenox, Mass. 
OUR PRESIDENT. 
William N. Craig was born of Ayrshire Scotch parents at Levens 
Hall, near Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England, where his father 
was head gardener and forester for over twenty-five years. He 
WILLIAM X. CRAIG. 
commenced his gardening career at Levens where the celebrated 
topiary gardens, planted in 16S8, have a national horticultural 
importance. lie later worked for four years at Lambton Castle, 
Durham, under James Hunter, noted as a fruit grower, and at 
Park Place. Henley-on-Thames, under George Stanton. For sev- 
eral years, before coming to this country. Mr. Craig was associated 
with his father in the nursery, seed and florist business at Kendal, 
England. 
Arriving in X'ew York on July 20. 1S90. Mr. Craig's first charge 
was on the Bowditch Estate, Framingham, Mass.. and thereafter 
he was in charge of estates at Springfield and Taunton, Mass. In 
1900 he assumed charge of the estate of Mrs. F. L. Ames, at 
Langwater. North Easton, Mass.. where he remained until May, 
