148 
I3l)£ Slower (Brower 
September, 1920 
The Big Gladiolus Show in Boston. 
Combination Exhibit of Three Societies Gives Eastern Flower Lovers a Rare Treat. 
T HE eleventh annual exhibition of 
the American Gladiolus Society 
and the first annual exhibition of 
the Massachusetts Gladiolus Soci- 
ety, and the regular annual Gladiolus 
show of the Massachusetts Horticult- 
ural Society, on August 14th and 15th, 
has passed into history, and the largest 
display of Gladiolus bloom in one hall 
was the result. 
Although several of the large grow- 
ers who have shown regularly during 
the past few years, like B. Hammond 
Tracy, Arthur Cowee, John Lewis 
Childs and J. K. Alexander, were ab- 
sent, yet there were so many new ex- 
hibitors that the show was a pro- 
nounced success. While it is true that 
weather conditions were not, by any 
means, ideal for the Glowing of high 
quality bloom, yet from the fact that 
near-by growers brought in bloom 
fresh each day, the show was kept 
freshened up, and it may be said that 
no such show of fine bloom has ever 
been staged before. 
Boston, as a show town for flower 
lovers, can hardly be excelled. Not 
only was the show well attended on 
both days in spite of unfavorable and 
threatening weather conditions, but 
the daily papers of Boston were ex- 
tremely liberal in the publicity given 
the show, both in advance, and in their 
reports of the show while in progress. 
There is no doubt but what the show 
was the greatest and finest thing of its 
kind on record, either in the United 
States or foreign countries. 
Transportation difficulties made it 
exceedingly difficult for some exhibit- 
ors to get their stock through and some 
stock did not arrive in time for exhibi- 
tion. Other exhibitors shipped early 
so as to be sure and be on the ground 
in time and this necessarily resulted in 
a deteriorated quality of bloom exhib- 
ited. 
One of the exceedingly satisfactory 
and encouraging things about the show 
was the large number of exhibitors. 
No Gladiolus show in recent years has 
brought out such keen competition as 
this combination show of the three 
societies. Not only were the commer- 
cial growers well represented, but an 
unusually large number of non-com- 
mercial or amateur growers were in 
evidence and made entries in the vari- 
ous classes. 
The keen interest which has been 
noted of late years in the growing of 
seedlings was especially a noteworthy 
feature of the show. These were shown 
not only by commercial growers, but 
by amateurs as well. Any seedling, to 
secure a place as a commercial variety 
in future, must have exceedingly high 
quality, and the seedlings shown were 
unusually fine. 
American Gladiolus Society, 
Annual Meeting. 
The annual meeting of the society 
held in Horticultural Hall, Boston, 
Mass., at 3 P. M. August 14th, was well 
attended, and a number of ladies were 
present. Prest. H. E. Meader occupied 
the chair. The report of Prof. A. C. Beal, 
the Secretary, which is given below to- 
gether with the Treasurer’s detailed 
report of receipts and expenditures, 
indicated a prosperous condition of the 
society. 
No election of officers was held as 
the election was held last year at the 
Detroit meeting and was for two years. 
Two new members of the executive 
committee were elected, J. J. Prouty of 
Baldwinsville, N.Y., and Frank E. Ben- 
nett of St. Thomas, Ont. T. A. Have- 
meyer was given a place on the exhibi- 
tion committee. The nomenclature 
committee remains the same as last 
year. Present officers of the society 
are as follows : President, H. E. Meader, 
Dover, N. H.; Vice-President, C. R. 
Hinkle, St. Joseph, Mich.; Treasurer, 
Madison Cooper, Calcium, N.Y.; Secre- 
tary, A. C. Beal, 212 Kelvin Place, Ith- 
aca, N.Y.; Executive Committee, J. J. 
Prouty, Joe Coleman and Frank E. 
Bennett. 
Frank E. Bennett, President of the 
St. Thomas Horticultural Society, made 
a very cordial and emphatic address in- 
viting the American Gladiolus Society 
to cross the border for one meeting 
and partake of the hospitality and 
friendship of its Canadian members. 
St. Thomas has a Horticultural Society 
which is unique and unusual, and the 
enthusiasm displayed there has no peer 
in America at the p\ T time. It is 
to be hoped that suitable rrangements 
can be made to hold the next show in 
St. Thomas, Ont. 
The resignation of Prof. Beal as 
Secretary was considered, to enable 
him to give more time to plant research 
work, but the society refused to accept 
his resignation, and after much urging 
Prof. Beal agreed to continue the work 
for the present. 
Considerable discussion was given to 
plant quarantine No. 37, but no definite 
action was taken at the meeting. There 
was a division of sentiment, but the 
majority of the members seemed to be 
opposed to the quarantine. It is proba- 
ble that the society will have a repre- 
sentative at the next conference. 
President Meader’s address was as 
follows : 
president’s address. 
Members of the American Gladiolus Society and 
Friends : 
This, our annual meeting, is especially noteworthy 
as the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Amer- 
ican Gladiolus Society. 
It is extremely appropriate that it be held in these 
spacious halls, as the initial meeting was held here, 
and the charter list opened to members. 
To the efforts of the late Maurice Fuld and other 
Gladiolus lovers, we are indebted for the auspicious 
starting of our society with a list of 137 names, which 
has since increased very creditably and satisfactorily, 
with also a considerable foreign membership. 
Looking backward over the past ten years we find a 
steadily increasing enthusiasm for the Gladiolus, 
which, as a most beautiful, adaptable and useful 
flower, has justly taken its place as the leading sum- 
mer flower. 
Its long continued blooming season, its ability to 
thrive under great variations of climate, soil and loca- 
tion, its freedom from insect pests, and its wonderful 
range of color, surpassing all other flowers in versa- 
tility of bloom, endear it alike to amateur and profes- 
sional. 
Our noted American hybridists are constantly and 
painstakingly working toward still further improve- 
ments, and each year shows a constant advance, a 
notable instance being the popular Primulinus Hy- 
brids which have gained in public favor by leaps and 
bounds. 
Ten years ago the possibilities of the Primulinus 
crosses were practically unknown, and what wonders 
may we expect in ten years more of progress. 
The adaptability of the modern Gladiolus for green- 
house and cold frame forcing is becoming better 
known each year, and florists are rapidly recognizing 
the ease of indoor culture, and the profit from forced 
blooms which meet with ready sale. 
There are many more varieties nowadays suitable 
for forcing finer and larger blooms and better colors 
than those of a decade ago. 
In spite of the continual advance of the Gladiolus, 
we look forward to still greater improvement and feel 
that we are still on the threshold of the future, justly 
anticipating with the passing of time, the pleasure of 
greeting newer marvels of beauty, evolved by work 
and patience, the twin pillars of progress in horticul- 
tural endeavor, as well as in other fields. 
1 here are many things I would like to say, but time 
presses, and our meetings are seldom, also we have 
more serious business. 
Before closing, I would recommend that we take 
some action respecting the death of our friend and 
founder Maurice Fuld, making suitable recognition of 
his work in the society. A genial, attractive person- 
ality, his pleasant smile and cordial handclasp will be 
missed. 
I wish to thank my associates in office for their aid 
and co-operation and would urge every member to 
use their best efforts to the continual improvement 
and progress of our society. 
I am especially grateful to The Flower Grower, 
also the florists’ trade papers whose relations with the 
society have been uniformly pleasant. 
To the Massachusetts Horticultural Society I extend 
our thanks for their unremitting hospitality. 
And finally to the newly organized Massachusetls 
Gladiolus Society we cordially offer our very best 
wishes, hoping that the coming years will add greatly 
to their prestige and prosperity. 
H. E. Meader, Prest. 
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY A. G. S. 
There are now 351 names on the rolls of the Ameri- 
can Gladiolus Society. Of these there were 270 paid 
up members in 1919-20. Some are now sending last 
year dues with their remittance for this year. Thus 
it will be seen that actual paid up membership is some- 
what fluctuating but as a rule few members are 
dropped for failure to send in their dues. This shows 
a good live membership and it should be our purpose 
to increase it to a minimum of at least 500 members 
which would enable the society to extend its activi- 
ty s. There have been inquiries concerning life mem- 
berships which this society has not as yet provided. 
The Executive Committee should be directed to con- 
sider and report upon this question. Last year the soci- 
ety voted to eliminate the initiation fee and our exper- 
ience thus far indicates that it was beneficial to the 
society. 
The society was represented at the recent confer- 
ence held June 15, 1920, to consider Quarantine 37 and 
its possible revision. It would seem desirable that 
this subject be discussed and some action taken by the 
society. 
Among those of our members taken by death dur- 
ing the past year was Maurice Fuld, a charter mem- 
ber of our society, as well as one of our most active 
members. Mr. Fuld was always interested in Gladioli 
and when possible he never failed to attend and to 
take part in our meetings. His live personality and 
his keen enthusiasm for the advancement of floricul- 
ture will be greatly missed in florist meetings. 
Another man pre-eminent in his profession, who 
recently passed away was Patrick O'Mara of the well- 
known firm of Peter Henderson &Co. The writer can 
vouch for Mr. O’Mara’s interest and great knowledge 
in Gladioli from correspondence which he had with 
him. He had great talents of leadership and his wise 
counsel and forceful personality is very much needed 
at the present time. His interest covered the entire 
field of American floriculture and his death creates a 
gap which it will be difficult if not impossible to fill. 
In concluding this last report as your secretary I 
wish to say that I have enjoyed the work and regret 
that pressure of my investigation work has made it 
necessary for me to give up the office. I feel, how- 
ever, that the country is back on a more normal basis 
and some one can be found who can give the office the 
time necessary to properly care for the work. My de- 
sire is to resume more actively investigations on Gladi- 
oli— a field in which I can probably render a better 
service to the society than as your secretary. How- 
ever, if I can help out I shall always be at your service. 
I shall miss the opportunity afforded by the duties of 
secretary to make acquaintances among the members 
but you may count on my interest and support in any 
good work. Thesociety has grown in members since 
1917 and I believe it is destined to increase year by 
year. May the society live long and prosper is my 
sincere wish and hope. 
A. C. Beal, Sec’y. 
