The National Societies 
47 
Tlie questions discussed concerned the necessity of educating the 
florists of the country along lines of greater efficiency, better service to 
patrons, stricter observance of business ethics, greater promptness in 
collections and payments of bills, the importance of publicity as to the 
educational aims of the F. T. D., and educating the public generally as 
to the greater use of floral gifts. The selection of a trade-mark or 
emblem was discussed, and an open competition for same was inaugu- 
rated, and it was agreed to make travelling men associate members. 
A paper on the important question of overhead eost and charges as 
affecting profits, was read by H. P. Knoble of Cleveland. A discussion 
took place as to the relationship of the society to the S. A. F. and O. H. 
It was agreed that the F. T. D. shall guarantee the first year’s dues of 
new members, to the S. A. F. 
Subscriptions to the national fund for the publicity of flowers were 
taken to the total of $6500. An oil painting of an ocean greyhound 
bearing F. T. D. floral messages, was auctioned off, and sold to Philip 
Breitmeyer for $150. The painting was donated by Poehlmann Bros. Co. 
National Association of Gardeners 
The sixth annual convention was held at Washington, D. C., Dec. 
4 and 5, 1916. President W. N. Craig of Brookline, Mass., presided. 
The weather was fine and everything moved smoothly. 
Wm. F. Glide, Washington representative of the S. A. F., did every- 
thing possible to make the stay of the members enjoyable and instruc- 
tive. There was a fairly good attendance. 
Chicago was chosen as the next place of convention. 
The new officers elected were: President, T. W. Head, Lake Forest, 
111.; vice-president, Theo. Wirth, Indianapolis, Ind.; secretary, M. C. 
Ebel, Madison, N. J.; treasurer, Jas. Stuart, Mamaroneck, N. Y. 
The following were elected trustees: Wm. Turner, Peter Duff, Wm. 
Duckham, Wm. Kleinheinz and John Huss. 
Secretary Ebel announced that the total membershi]i was 1200, 
300 new members having joined during the past year. He advised 
having suitable representation of the association at the national capital 
in case any legislation came up which required attention. Geo. W. Hess, 
superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, was unanimously elected. 
It was voted to print a list of the members. Wm. F. Gude was 
elected an honorary member. 
The surplus funds in the treasury amounted to $2000. 
Reports were heard from the national co-operative committee and 
from the committee for the preservation and propagation of birds. 
Visits were made to various places in the neighborhood of Wash- 
ington, including Arlington Cemetery and the farm of the Department 
of Agriculture, also the Gude Bros. Co.’s establishment at Andalusia. 
During the year the constitution and by-laws were revised. 
An English Yew tree was planted by the association, near the tomb 
of George Washington. 
A meeting of the members of the society to discuss a scheme of 
greater co-operation was held in New York in November. Several 
executive meetings were also held, and a successful year’s work was 
reported. 
