318 
PARK AND CE-METERY 
Among' tlie Creepers 
Ever since the old days in Eden creeping things 
in animal life have been under a ban. Happily this 
does not extend to the vegetable kingdom, and many 
are the bright spots the creation of which depends 
wholly upon plants of prostrate growth. There are 
steep hillsides, bare spots under evergreen trees, and 
stony places too sterile for the footing of a grass sod 
which seem especially fitted for some of the creeping 
plants of our own flora. 
The common periwinkle. Vinca minor, commonly 
but erroneously called myrtle, was formerly very pop- 
ular in cemeteries. Its merits are dark, evergreen 
foliage, a profusion of blue or white flowers in early 
spring, and rapidity of growth. The latter eventually 
led to its downfall, and to-day in well-kept grounds it 
is being eradicated as far as possible. To discourage 
the planting in cemeteries of anything which will en- 
croach upon the lot of another seems just; and that 
the Vinca will speedily do this is unqiiestioned. This 
objection is not equally valid in parks ; yet a plant that 
may take, possession of the field is always to be re- 
garded with distrust. 
The same objection holds good with the ground 
ivy, Glechoma hederacea, a somewhat more delicate 
trailer retaining a portion of its verdure through the 
winter. It increases both by cuttings and by self-sown 
seed, and though the dainty light blue, honey-laden 
flowers may be quite a temptation to spare it, grass 
will soon be forced to the rear unless it is uprooted. 
In its native haunts the trailing arbutus most ad- 
mirably conceals the dry, barren hillsides seemingly 
too sterile to support any other life. But unfortun- 
ately it responds hesitatingly to removal from its na- 
tive soil. The writer has made frequent attempts to 
transplant it, removing a large clump of earth to avoid 
disturbing the roots, and giving it the shade to which 
it is accustomed. But in accordance with the predic- 
tions of other unsuccessful lovers, it never survived 
more than a single season. Yet good authorities as- 
sure us that it may be transplanted with success. The 
prize is well worth working for. 
Similar in some respects yet much less fastidious 
is the common partridge berry, Mitcheila repens, 
known under such a variety of popular names claimed 
with equal right by other plants that the positive neces- 
sity for a scientific nomenclature is well shown. Its 
range is extended. Dr. Britton giving it as from Nova 
Scotia to Elorida, and westward to Texas and Minne- 
sota, reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet in Virginia. 
Thus it will be seen that thrift under such widely dif- 
fering conditions indicates a vigorous growth which 
is not checked by transplanting. Though most fre- 
quent on deciduous wooded hillsides, the writer recalls 
a sunny bank by the roadside, shaded only by bushes 
for at least one generation, which is a perfect mat of 
Mitcheila, and in early summer the plush-lined, shell- 
tinted blossoms lend to the air the fragrance of arbu- 
tus. 
The flowers are produced in pairs, each pair unit- 
ing to form a single scarlet berry. The fruit is per- 
sistent until the next flowering season unless devoured 
by some bird. And that it furnishes winter food for 
birds is another argument in favor of its culture. The 
entire plant is comely, and as handsome when laden 
with berries as during the season of bloom. 
Bessie L. Putnam. 
Nurserymen in Convention. 
The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Ameri- 
can Association of Nurserymen was held in Milwau- 
kee, June II and 12, and was a well-attended and suc- 
cessful gathering. About 200 prominent nurserymen 
were present, and the papers, discussions and reports 
of officers were of unusual interest. 
Mayor Rose welcomed the convention to the city 
and the response on behalf of the association was de- 
livered by N. H. Albaugb, of Ohio. 
President Berckmans in his annual address told of 
the progress in the nursery business, and advocated a 
number of methods of improvement. He especially 
emphasized the establishment of schools for the in- 
struction of employes, after the manner of the one re- 
cently organized by Thomas Meehan & Sons, of which 
mention has been made in these columns. 
One of the most interesting of the addresses was 
that of Prof. L. H. Bailey, who urged the establish- 
ment of a bureau of publicity for the promotion of the 
growers’ interests, and advocated the utilizing of the 
abandoned farms of New England. He spoke as fol- 
lows on the subject of improvement of school grounds : 
“Every nurseryman should be interested in the improve- 
ment of school grounds. In New York we have interested 
the children in gardening clubs. We have 15,000 children in 
such clubs, and I would not wonder if the number would 
be 20,000 by the time I get back. All are sowing something 
this year; it may not all grow; but it is a beginning. All 
are to have a mark made on a large map in the office of 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in Albany, in recog- 
nition of their services. The giving of prizes for the im- 
provement of school grounds is a good thing. For the first 
year the children should not plant anything in the school 
grounds. They must first be taught to keep the grounds 
clean and neat. We found that when this was done progress 
was rapid and continual. In my opinion rural schools form 
one of the greatest problems of the country.” 
Strong resolutions, indorsing the bill for the inspec- 
tion of nursery stock introduced in the last Congress 
were passed, and the following officers elected for the 
ensuing year ; 
President, Charles A. Ilgenfritz, Monroe, Mich. ; 
vice-president, D. S. Lake, Shenandoah, la. ; secre- 
tary, George C. Seager, Rochester, N. Y. ; treasurer, 
C. L. Yates, Rochester. 
