"mere man" to meet you, and, in the name of the Garden Club of 
Orange and Dutchess Counties, of the State of New York, to introduce 
to you another "mere man." 
With apology, I might add that, early in history, we are told of the 
presence of a man in the Garden of Eden. 
However, in spite of this seeming confusion, as President of the 
Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties, I most cordially wel- 
come you. 
Our Club is proud to have opportunity to extend to this dis- 
tinguished gathering, the privilege and pleasure of listening to Mr. 
Wilson, and that I should be the one to represent our Club is, to me, 
a happy accident. 
Through the gift of $100,000 by the will of James Arnold, of New 
Bedford, in 1868, the Arnold Arboretum was made possible. I am 
told on good. New Bedford authority, that a woman, namely, Mrs. 
James Arnold, greatly encouraged, and probably suggested, the 
Arboretum idea. The love for, and devotion to their gardens, on the 
part of Mrs. Arnold and her sister, led to the interest of the men, — 
the latter were busy earning the means to make gardens. Toujours la 
Femme ! 
The Arnold Arboretum has a wonderful history, under the direc- 
tion of Professor Charles S. Sargent, since 1872, nearly fifty years 
ago, — and upon Professor Sargent honors have justly fallen from every 
part of the world. How Professor Sargent has regarded Mr. Wilson is 
well known. He has expressed the belief that, upon certain subjects, 
Mr. Wilson knows more than does any other person in the world. 
From Mr. Wilson's words will come inspiration. 
I have told you something about the Arboretum and Mr. Wilson. 
Now, I wish to inform him somewhat about the Garden Club of 
America. 
As an humble member, without the prejudice of holding office, I 
have observed, with great satisfaction, its development into an im- 
portant Organization, differing from many National organizations 
in that it has proceeded in its development in an even, balanced 
manner. It has not attempted to be •uUra-scientific, nor has the social 
side entered unduly. 
Its members are truly harmonious, — exhibit an esprit-de-corps, — 
and, as a body, it affords a good illustration of what a National 
Society can be. 
New England is very jealous of prestige. Those of us who are 
of New England descent take great pride in the fact. We were once 
shaken by the remark of a witty man of New York, who said that the 
"best thing out of Boston was the five o'clock train." 
We will agree that the best thing out of Boston was the five 
54 
