Committee on Testing New Plants 
It is a simple and interesting business for the name of a new Com- 
mittee to be suggested, and quite as easy a matter for the Chairman 
to accept new honour — especially if the name be one with fascinating 
possibilities. 
When, however, this same Chairman sits down calmly at home, 
and thinks the matter over, all sorts of questions arise, as to the 
real object, her fellow members, methods of work, etc., until she be- 
comes half mad with fright and uncertainty. 
Such was the fate of the Chairman of the newly-formed Committee 
on the "Testing of New Plants." The Editor of the Bulletin has 
suggested that the plan of work be stated briefly and clearly. 
The subject is a large one, and perhaps it would be well to give 
the exact wording of the resolution: "Two new Committees were 
appointed by the Chair — "The Testing of New Plants." Mrs. 
Hague of the Newport Garden Association was appointed Chairman, 
and various Clubs volunteered to take up this work and to report 
to Mrs. Hague." 
Mrs. Hague accepted on the spot, and is now a worried woman. 
Will the Bulletin allow her to request that the Volunteer Clubs 
communicate with her? The Rye Garden Club has reported the name 
of its chosen Committee member. If the others would do the same, 
at the same time making suggestions, the proud but unhappy Chair- 
man would see more clearly — her pleasure as well as responsibility. 
It is easy to confuse Agriculture, Horticulture and Botany. 
The Government Department of Agriculture could be approached, 
also the Botanical Gardens and Experiment Stations. It would 
seem, however, that the subject would be clarified, should each Club — 
or its acting member — secure the newest specimens of shrubs, 
herbaceous plants or annuals, to be had from the best commercial 
houses in her own neighborhood, give any such a fair trial, keep a 
clear record, and at the proper time send such record to the Chairman 
of the new Committee. 
The scattered localities of the Clubs, the different soils, and 
conditions of cultivation, would make an interchange of theories and 
results most valuable. Why not start in this modest fashion, and 
should it be possible to secure information from really scientific 
sources, to do so? 
First of all, will the Volunteer Clubs send their names, or that of 
some interested member to, Mrs. Arnold Hague, 
Newport, Rhode Island. 
