200 
- he Carden Magazine, May, 19?0 
THE KURUME AZALEAS SHOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE BOSTON SPRING EXHIBITION, MARCH 24 TO 27 
The history of these plants, their discovery, origin, etc., was fully told by Mr. E. H. Wilson in last month’s Garden Magazine. 
It is indeed curious that these gems, cultivated for a hundred years, should have remained hidden until this time 
see these gems, it is true that the richness of the Boston display 
is not likely to be duplicated within many years. These two 
features alone, the Orchids and the Azaleas, gave the Boston 
show a transcendent preeminence of interest to the plant con- 
noisseur. And credit must also be accorded to Mr. Roland’s 
wonderful collection of Acacias in rich variety. 
Another plant seen at the Boston show in quantity for the 
first time was the hybrid Azalea Louisa Hunnewell, raised by 
Mr. T. D. Hatfield on the Wellesley estate of Mr. Walter Hunne- 
well. This is of great interest horticulturally as being the first 
definite American hybrid between the deciduous Azaleas of 
China and Japan (See illustration page 166). 
T HESE two great Flower Shows as a matter of fact supple- 
ment and complement one another. Each one has its own 
character that cannot be compared with — indeed can hardly be 
spoken of in the same breath — with the other. They are totally 
different; and they reflect, to a large extent, the communities 
with which they are associated. The spirit of New York is 
utilitarian — some people say wholly, commercialized — and quite 
naturally, perhaps, New York exhibits the spectacular, decorative 
useof flowers in season on a gigantic scale— a sort of huge, exalted 
florist’s shop, indeed. In Boston, on the other hand, the stand- 
ard of merit is intrinsic quality for gardens, and botanical 
interest of the plants displayed. According to your fancy you 
may visit one or the other and find ample reward. The all- 
around horticulturist and gardener must indeed visit both — and 
he will be probably equally absorbed in each — but along entirely 
different lines. 
A S AN outcome of the recent meeting in Boston for example we 
L now have an American Orchid Society, the first of its kind 
anywhere. During the last twenty years, and especially in the 
last decade, activity in Orchid collections has been dwindling 
while on the other hand the Orchid has taken on greater im- 
portance as a commercial commodity. The establishment of an 
Orchid Society may be taken as significant evidence of the grow- 
ing interest in plant affairs. Under the presidency of Mr. 
Thomas Roland, one of the most successful cultivators and all- 
around horticulturists of Boston, the American Orchid Society 
starts out on a clear sea — and may it sail a straight course to 
success! For every instance of coordinated effort is a step in 
the right direction. And perhaps one day that dream of an all- 
embracing, widely founded horticultural society for all America 
that will include all the amateur activities of garden, greenhouse, 
and grounds will be an accomplished fact. In the meantime 
these separate units are doing their part; and in asking the sup- 
port of those whose interests are in any way touched, they are 
not asking for anything that should not be given. 
P RELIMINARY arrangements are being made for the next 
National Flower Show under the auspices of the Society of 
American Florists which it is proposed shall be held in Cleve- 
land, Ohio, in the spring of 1922. 
THE OPE^C OLUM y<i 
Readers’ I nterchange of Experience and Comment 
W HAT good, it is often asked, comes out of these Flower 
Shows? It is a difficult question to answer definitely, be- 
cause the reaction is different with different individuals. But 
unquestionably the community of interest that is developed, 
the companionship of fellow craftsmen, the rallying of the clans 
on a given date at a given place, quickens a new inspiration and 
enthusiasm which in turn stimulates to more spirited action 
and progress. 
T nnkinp A ^ * am natura hy interested in good and 
Into A & ■'* wholesome architecture, 1 am prompted 
pj an to write you about the plan that appeared in 
the March issue. I am not trying to criticise 
your magazine, for on the contrary I am trying to help you, and be- 
sides that 1 have always had a great deal of admiration for the Garden 
Magazine. 1 am assuming that the designer has sought to show 
your readers how a property of this size can be designed, and how it can 
