modified ; at the same time, we believe we are as anxious as anyone to 
prevent the entry into this country of foreign diseases. Your assistance 
in this matter will be greatly appreciated." 
Obviously, this letter would require many modifications, but the 
argument it presents is good and is as strong with respect to amateurs 
as professionals. 
Dahlia Show of the Short Hills Garden Club 
The increasing interest in the Dahlia show of the Short Hills 
Garden Club was evidenced at the Annual Exhibition this year 
held on September 26 and 27, by the attendance of visitors from such 
far states as IlHnois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and 
Northern New York. There were also representatives from many 
Garden Clubs within a radius of one hundred miles and several 
professionals. 
The idea of a formal garden was carried out with great skill and 
art in the centre of the hall. OutHning the crosswalks around the 
charming sun-dial were pots of bright flowers, quaintly arranged by 
Kttle children of the community, in competition for a prize, a new 
feature introduced this year. Against the wall as a back-ground and 
foil for the brilliant heavy-headed flowers were ranged in Italian jars 
stately, sombre cedars and young, dull green oak trees. Among and 
between these were bits of classic and modem sculpture. The entire 
decorative scheme was the work of the artist and architect, Mr. W. W. 
Renwick, an associate member of the Club. 
There were 67 exhibits divided among 24 classes, also some pro- 
fessional exhibits, these not in competition for awards. 
Among the specialties shown by this Club are always magnificent 
seedlings. In this class the medal of the American DahHa Society 
was awarded to Mrs. C. H. Stout, as Secretary of the Club, and pro- 
ducer of the well known "Sunshine" dahha. 
The memory of the greatly beloved first President of the Club is 
being kept fresh by a dahlia produced last year by Mrs. Stout, and 
named the "Emily Renwick." This is a variety of the Decorative 
type and wiU shortly be put on the market. The tubers have been 
bought by a dealer, and the proceeds will be returned to the Club and 
used in some way as a permanent memorial to Mrs. Renwick. 
This dahlia has not only proved its worth by the exquisite beauty 
of its frilled petals — rose and transparent yellow — but by its enduring 
quahties, for a bloom exhibited by a dealer in a New York window, 
remained fresh for one week. Another feature of interest is always the 
competition for Artistic Decoration divided into two classes, those 
45 
