ties. Various distinguished amateurs in this country and abroad have 
flattered us with their interest and appreciation. 
We pride ourselves on calling forth the latent literary talent of our 
members. How many may there not be whose articles will make valu- 
able the succeeding numbers of The BULLETIN. 
Our library contains many papers too long for publication in so 
small a magazine as The BULLETIN, and, crowning our achievements, 
are the books of our members, like those of Mrs. Ely, which have done 
much to create the gardening impulse in America, and the more recent 
ones of Miss Frothingham, Mrs. Verplanck, Mrs. King and Mrs. 
Turner. 
From the garden publishers we have received many books for 
review, and publications from innumerable kindred organizations. We 
have many committees who are studying the subjects of a standard 
Color Chart, Test Gardens, Lecturers, Co-operation with Seedsmen, 
Roadside Planting, etc. We look forward to their reports to-day. 
The scattered nature of our membership has produced a large cor- 
respondence, and many letters have been exchanged with outsiders and 
societies desiring our co-operation. 
But the best evidence of our growth in interest and influence is that 
so many of you are here to-day. You are most heartily welcome, and 
all must certainly feel, after this sketch of our activities, that there is 
every good reason that The Garden Club of America should increase 
and multiply and flourish like the green bay tree. 
Elizabeth Price Martin. 
This year's Annual Meeting hadn't quite the charm of the two 
former ones. Mrs. Patterson, our Honorary and honored President, 
was too unwell to be present. We who know her, know only too well the 
difference that it made. Next year, we hope, the newer members will 
experience the added delight that comes with her presence. 
an "(Interesting Communication from a Uen> 
Bistinguisbefc (Barfcener 
I am greatly interested in the news you give of the formation and 
activities of all these Garden Clubs in different parts of the country. 
Much certainly can be expected from them in increasing the taste for 
gardens and the art of proper gardening. It seems to me doubtful, 
however, if the members of these clubs are getting all the good they 
might from the Arboretum. The background of a good garden must 
be composed of trees and shrubs. Deciduous-leaved trees and shrubs 
are the class of plants that do best in Eastern North America. In 
many parts of our country the heat and dryness of summer make summer 
gardening unsatisfactory. The best gardens for America are going to 
