October, 1918 
I3l)e jflower (Brower 
105 
American Gladiolus Society. 
Annual Meeting of the 
American Gladiolus Society. 
The annual meeting of the American 
Gladiolus Society was held in the par- 
lors of the Iroquois Hotel, Buffalo, N. Y., 
at 8 P. M., August 14, 1918, the meet- 
ing having been postponed from 3 
P. M. because the staging had not been 
completed. 
President Kunderd in his address 
emphasized the importance of flowers 
in war time in inspiring the workers 
and the wounded fighters. He praised 
the exhibitors who had made such ex- 
cellent displays under the trying con- 
ditions this year. 
The report of the secretary was then 
read. It showed that 100 old members 
had paid up their dues and that 165 new 
members had joined, making a total 
paid-up membership of 265. While this 
was a very substantial gain, yet the 
secretary urged all the members to 
work toward a goal of 500 members 
for the near future. The secretary 
pointed out that great credit was due 
Messrs. Kunderd, Cooper and Lane for 
the increase in membership. 
The treasurer’s report was then read 
by Mr. Cooper, showing that the So- 
ciety was in good financial condition. 
The proposed amendments to the 
Constitution were brought up and dis- 
cussed. The rules adopted at Newport 
in 1915 were read and the omissions 
pointed out. It was finally voted that 
the president appoint a committee with 
power to revise the rules or Constitu- 
tion. 
A motion was adopted instructing 
the above-mentioned committee to 
designate the termination of the busi- 
ness year of the Society as June 30, 
and that the year begin July 1 of 
each year ; that those members joining 
prior to July 1, 1918, be paid up mem- 
bers to June 30, 1919; and that here- 
after the secretary be instructed to 
charge new members who join late, 
pro rata for the part of the fiscal year 
remaining. 
The discussions in regard to the next 
meeting place resulted in favor of 
meeting with the Society of American 
Florists at Detroit, Mich., in August, 
1919, if satisfactory arrangements can 
be made. 
As all officers elected at New York 
in 1917 hold office for two years, there 
were no elections except to fill the un- 
expired term of the late Secretary 
Youell. A. C. Beal, who had been act- 
ing secretary under appointment of 
the Executive Committee, was elected 
secretary. 
The resolutions adopted by the Park 
Garden Club of Flushing, L. I., rela- 
tive to the changing of German or 
Teutonic names of Roses and other 
flowers and urging all floricultural or- 
ganizations to co-operate, was read by 
the secretary. After discussion no ac- 
tion was taken. It appeared to be the 
opinion of all members present that all 
such varieties would be gradually 
eliminated by the introduction of bet- 
ter varieties and through the opposi- 
tion of garden planters to varieties of 
German origin. As there are few va- 
rieties of outstanding merit bearing 
German names, it did not seem worth 
while to change their names. After 
all, why change the names of a few 
innocent and beautiful flowers and not 
those of operas, poems, books, cities, 
towns and American citizens that are 
of German origin ? 
The meeting then adjourned. 
A. C. Beal, Secy. 
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT A. E. KUNDERD. 
Ladies and Gentlemen : 
Not being blessed with great oratorical 
ability it has been a matter of considerable 
concern to me as to how to address you on 
this pleasant occasion. For, it is indeed 
pleasant to meet so many fine people, as 
one always does, at the annual convention of 
the American Gladiolus Society, and enjoy 
with them their wonderful display. We all 
know what is by common consent “ The 
Queen of Flowers,” and I am sure I need 
not tell you what flower is very rapidly be- 
coming by common consent “ The King of 
the Garden.” It is not necessary to tell the 
members of the American Gladiolus Society 
of the value and importance of our splendid 
flower, but I feel the importance of repeat- 
ing on this occasion a few things which have 
already been better said by others. No 
class of citizens more keenly appreciate the 
value of conservation in everything these 
troublous times than do the members of our 
Society, but many who have not had the 
time to consider the subject, have not yet 
realized the vast importance of floriculture 
as the hand maid of the agriculturist and 
grower of the primary necessities for the 
table. As the musician is the great inspirer 
of the men to do more serious fighting, so is 
the grower of flowers equally or more the 
inspiration and cheer of those who do the 
patient and arduous labor of growing the 
products which furnish the food, and gives 
the strength to those who do the fighting 
for the cause of our great nation. 
In England, France and other nations, 
these great principles are fully appreciated, 
as witness the increasing culture of flowers 
among the common people ; even on the 
battle front the soldier has his garden where 
flowers are grown, and soon in our own 
country the same need will be better under- 
stood. 
The soldier on the battle line can only use 
the weapon, but when wounded, his com- 
fort is the nurse, and his greatest cheer are 
the flowers which are brought to his bed- 
side. This is in brief our best reason for the 
growing and showing the people our favorite 
flower, and I would say to our members, 
“don’t be discouraged, be of good cheer, you 
will soon reap your reward in the apprecia- 
tion of a grateful people.” 
Nothing is so restful to the busy man of 
affairs as his gardening, and who could bear 
to grow a garden without flowers. The 
essentials, so called, of the garden are the 
food of the body, but the flowers are the 
food of the soul. The essentials of the field 
were intended for food, but flowers, to give 
us cheer ; and when was man ever in such 
need of cheer as now? We all are hoping 
for early victory and honorable peace when 
our loved ones shall return to their homes. 
Can you imagine a greater disappointment 
to a returned hero than to be taken by you 
to your gardens and he find therein no flow- 
ers? I speak the sentiment of our mem- 
bers who love the Gladiolus (and who does 
not) in expressing their appreciation to the 
Mayor and people of Buffalo for the many 
kindnesses shown us during our stay. To 
the Press, our thanks for its presentation of 
our objects and aims I am sure we can- 
not forget the great efforts for the success of 
our exhibition on the part of Prof. Beal, our 
kindly secretary, and Mr. Cooper of The 
Flower Grower, for his great enthusiasm 
and encouragement. Every grower appre- 
ciates fully the toil and sacrifice of all our 
exhibitors, for certain it is that in a financial 
way there is only a loss. The greatest re- 
ward to our exhibitors in such times as 
these is in the knowledge of having contrib- 
uted to the noble work well done. 
I hope I have made clear our principal aim 
in coming together during such trying times. 
In conclusion, I desire to say a few words 
to our visitors and the general public, and 
invite them to join in the work of our splen- 
did Society, and participate in its benefits. 
To those not yet so well acquainted with our 
organization let us say, that our Society 
was organized in Boston nine years ago ; 
its aims and objects are in part to promote 
the interest and welfare of its members, to 
encourage local exhibitions all over our be- 
loved country, to the end that a greater in- 
terest may be cultivated, not only in the 
Gladiolus but for all that is beautiful in 
flowers, and in life in every way. Our offi- 
cial organ is The Flower Grower of Cal- 
cium, N. Y., a very ably edited monthly, 
devoted to the Gladiolus, as well as to an 
interest in other beautiful flowers. Every 
grower of a garden should be a subscriber 
as, among its contributors, are many of the 
leading authorities of our own and other 
countries. Our membership consists of 
many people prominent in the best in flori- 
culture from all over the world. It is for your 
benefit I ask you to join our Society, and 
become an active member. Aid us for the 
good of our fellowmen in making it one of 
the most valuable and important floriculture 
societies in the world. 
Our Secretary, Prof. A. C. Beal, of Cornell 
University, Ithaca, N. Y., will be pleased to 
give anyone more detailed information. 
Much as I regret that we are holding this 
year’s convention under the dark clouds of 
a sad war, I sincerely hope to be with you 
again next year under the happy skies of an 
honorable peace. I thank you, 
A. E. Kunderd. 
President. 
REPORT OF SECRETARY A. C. BEAL. 
This is the ninth annual meeting of the 
American Gladiolus society and it is our 
hope that it will be productive of plans and 
measures for making the tenth year the 
most effective in results of any year in the 
history of the Society. Let us one and all 
lend our efforts in making the coming year 
yield great results in the advancement of 
the Gladiolus. If we look back over the 
past ten years we can see the very consid- 
erable advance that has been made. There 
is a greater work for this Society to do. We 
should do all we can to stimulate interest in 
the Gladiolus Society by offering our medals 
and certificates to the local shows. The 
question is sometimes raised whether it is 
desirable to offer the medals without restric- 
