Impressions 
Having been asked by the Editor of The BULLETIN to give some 
impressions of the Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of America, 
held in Baltimore, that which first remains indelibly impressed upon my 
memory is the dignity and ability, the charm and gracious personality of 
our President, Mrs. J. Willis Martin, in her conduct of the long hours 
of the business meetings. 
Every waking moment from our arrival in Baltimore until our 
departure from the beautiful city was filled with delight, and the great 
care and forethought of the Garden Clubs of Baltimore, and of Miss 
Clark in particular, who planned with precision for the comfort and 
pleasure of the delegates and non-delegates, will always remain a 
grateful thought. 
Shall we not often live again in happy memory the first gathering 
for tea in Miss Boone's flower-decked rooms, and sit at luncheon in Mrs. 
Garrett's lovely house, and walk through her charming garden with 
its perfect setting of noble woodland? 
And who could forget, and who does not covet, the great box 
hedge in Mr. Jenkin's garden, where the sing-along brook flows be- 
tween the woods and the garden confines? 
And then Miss Jenkin's garden — although new, yet filled with 
many flowers; the lovely tulip, Golden Crown, yellow flushed with red- 
dish orange, exciting the interest and admiration of all. 
Yet, again, the delightful luncheon at Mrs. Shaw's. Where, 
after seeing her most individual little garden, looking over beautiful 
country to the blue hills, we gathered around many small tables, nectar 
and ambrosia spread before us, there was also feast of reason and a 
flow of soul. 
No pen of mine could adequately describe the impression to re- 
main through life of Hampton, that home for generations of a family 
whose history and traditions are a part of the history of Virginia. 
The most vivid impression of all received at the meeting was of 
the women themselves, so deeply interested, so fired with enthusiasm, so 
eloquent with plans for future activities. As in turn each President arose 
to tell of the work of her club, for civic improvement, for beautifying 
highways, for preserving native plants from the too reckless scythe of 
the farmer; teaching children and humbler neighbors to care for their 
gardens; destroying insect pests — we thrilled with the inspiration these 
women gave us in telling of the work they are carrying on, and with 
gratitude to the Garden Club of Philadelphia, the mother of us all, who 
started on its path of usefulness and beauty the great organization of 
The Garden Club of America. 
Helena Rutherford Ely, 
Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties 
