Here the gardener must choose between quality and quantity. The 
only alternative is to remain seated indefinitely under the plant with 
an outspread newspaper! In one instance (there may be others), 
that of the Antirrhinum, we have no choice, for there is a certain worm 
that will destroy the fully ripe seed. 
Such a small activity as seed gathering may seem negligible in its 
relation to the present upheaval of all landmarks, all ordinary living. 
As an occupation, however, it has been taken up by women in the 
South and by growers on the west coast. But the supply will be in- 
adequate and we must prepare for a shortage. The great seed-fields 
of Germany are planted for use, not ornament; the lovely fields of 
England are the property of the Government and the now arid fields 
of France and Belgium are sown with dead and watered with tears. 
The ships that crossed to us with unimaginable beauty in bulb and 
seed, are laden with sterner stuff. 
Nevertheless, there will always be a demand for flowers and it is 
right that it should be so. From the day when Adam turned from 
the bitter consequences of his weakness and shrank from the flaming 
light which closed the gate to the Perfect Garden, have the sons and 
daughters of men found refreshment in the touch of Mother Earth 
and joy in co-operation with her in her most arduous and vital task 
of reproduction. Mildred C. Prince, 
The Short Hills Garden Club. 
(Mrs. Henry A. Prince.) 
The War Relief Fund 
of the Royal Horticultural Society 
Now that the shortage of the food supply of the world has become 
a vital problem, the War Relief Fund of the Royal Horticultural 
Society of England should appeal to us in a very special way. This 
Fund has been organized that the Society may be ready, immediately 
upon the conclusion of hostilities, to extend financial assistance to the 
peasants and to horticulturists, in general, in the countries of our Allies 
whose gardens and industries have been destroyed by the war. Agri- 
culturists will be assisted by a similar fund from the Royal Agricultural 
Society. Whether the destruction has been direct or indirect, pur- 
poseful or unavoidable, on all hands the loss and discouragement have 
been incalculable. It is difficult to picture the ravages and misery 
produced by the war. Far removed as we are from the center of 
action, the accounts we hear give but a faint picture of conditions 
in Belgium, the north of France, Poland, Serbia and Roumania. 
