104 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
Society. As soon as this exhibition closed it was shipped to 
Rochester, and became a feature of the Arts and Crafts ex- 
hibit there for the month of April. Impressed by the unusual 
interest and value of this collection of photographs of out- 
door art work, and by our need of an exhibit that could be 
sent in response to invitations, I communicated with the sev- 
eral contributors to the exhibit and with one exception re- 
ceived their permission to keep it intact for an indefinite pe- 
riod, that its educational work might be continued. The ex- 
ception was Messrs. Bates & Guild, of Boston, who required 
the return of their several pictures on the arrival of the ex- 
hibit from Europe. Selected samples from our literature have 
been sent also to the Wisconsin Free Library Commission; 
and. bound in stiff covers at the Commission's expense, have 
been added to the Traveling Library on Town and City Im- 
provement of which that state has made a feature. 
But when all is said, the work of a secretary is mainly cor- 
respondence. In nothing else does the growth and vigor of an 
association make itself felt so strongly. The routine work of 
merely mailing the literature has meant the despatch of some 
4,000 packages; the work of collecting and acknowledging the 
dues in the Main Association has added fully a thousand 
pieces of mail; and in addition at least 1,700 letters have been 
written. This correspondence is not wholly reflected in the 
Association’s progress; but it is all in the Association's Cause, 
and is most interesting and inspiring. In two fairly typical 
days, for instance, I received a letter from Rhode Island ask- 
ing for school garden literature, slides, and a speaker ; one 
from Pennsylvania, asking for suggestions for an outdoor 
art programme for a Women’s Club; one from a man who 
wanted a position as a park superintendent, and one from a 
correspondent who washed to obtain training in landscape 
architecture ; one from the President of a Village Improve- 
ment Society in Massachusetts who desired to stir up popular 
interest, and one from a woman in Ohio who wanted sug- 
gestions for a memorial bridge. Of these correspondents two 
were already members of the Association, and one was 
brought into its membership. The addition of his name is all 
our Association records show, but that is a poor measure of 
the influence of the organization. 
The report has grown long, and should be brought to a 
close. But this cannot be done until a word of thanks has 
been spoken to several who have made easier as well as pleas- 
ant the task of the secretary. To Mr. Woodruff, who has 
been constant in sympathy, interest and assistance with ad- 
vice; to Mrs. Hall, whose frequent letters have been a con- 
tinual inspiration ; to Miss Gardner and Mrs. Grower, who as 
Secretaries of the Auxiliary, have been most painstaking ; to 
Mr. Manning, whose experience has been always at my com- 
mand ;, to Mr. Charles N. Lowrie, who arranged our Turin 
exhibit for display in New York and afterwards shipped it to 
Rochester ; and to several whose names will be given later and 
in another place in acknowledgment of their cordial co-opera- 
tion to make this meeting a success, the most earnest thanks 
are due from me, and from the whole Association. 
The Secretary's financial statement, which followed, showed 
the total receipts to be $1,362.26, and the expenditures 
$1,289.10, leaving a cash balance of $73.18. 
Ferns for Outdoor Use. 
By Joseph Meehan. 
Our native ferns are well adapted for planting in 
half-shady places. I have had them do splendidly in 
situations where they got the morning sun, but not 
that of the afternoon. There are many of them of 
robust growth which could he very well used for 
growing in pots for use under trees, on porches and 
in similar places, where there would be more or less 
shade all the time. The several species of Osmunda 
and Aspidiums afford many of just what are required. 
The cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea, and As- 
pidium ntarginale are two especially good ones. 
The one we illustrate is not a native sort, but comes 
from South American stock. It is known as Boston 
fern, because of its originating there, in — if I remem- 
ber right — being found among a lot of plants of the 
Nephrolepis tuberosa. It differs from tuberosa in 
having a more vigorous habit in every way. It is sup- 
posed to be a sport from the tuberosa, and, like it, it 
has proved one of the best kinds for placing outdoors 
in shady places in summer. Both of these kinds pos- 
sess fronds that can withstand more sunlight than is 
the case with many varieties. 
On shady porches or under trees in summer they 
do well. The one photographed occupied a rather 
open place in a conservatory, and it is of immense size, 
being grown in a very large tub. 
BOSTON FERN. NEPHROLEPIS TUBEROSA VARIETY. 
For decorative purposes this fern is one of the best, 
being a vigorous grower, of good appearance, and 
one that will put up with a good deal of rough usage. 
