GARDENING DOWN SOUTH 
T HIS may mean many different things—the Colonial 
South of Virginia, the Creole South of New Orleans, 
the earlier South of Ponce de Leon’s region, or, again, 
the state of Texas all are equally “South” but all are 
different in detail. With the rich heritage of the 
Colonial gardens which has been sung in many a book, the cur¬ 
tain over the past is partly drawn and we get glimpses of the 
glories that were. And they had gardens that in their day were 
the equal of anything of the present time. In a few striking 
examples that still exist the gardener of to-day may still learn 
lessons in design; for those gardens are expressions of a practical 
harmony of life indoors and outdoors that belonged to that time. 
Very little of material, however, has been handed down to us. 
Yet in this old environment a new garden spirit is awaken¬ 
ing and finding concrete expression in the present-day style. 
Whereas in former times the gardens were associated with 
the all-year-round homes, permanent, and somewhat isolated 
perhaps, there is developing a new gardening for the occasional 
home, gardens of seasonal interest they may be called. And 
this leads to a quite different kind of expression which brings the 
gardening of the whole region into sympathetic correspondence 
with the gardens of the rest of the country. 
This new gardening is a thing of no mean import. Gardeners 
are indeed a friendly and neighborly folk. The touch of com¬ 
mon interest places gardeners everywhere in friendly sympathy 
with each other. We are a great brotherhood sharing a blend¬ 
ing influence despite climate or distance. North, South, East, 
or West has each its own peculiar problems, but through 
them all runs a community of interest that binds all into an 
integral whole. More particularly is this so when, as is becom¬ 
ing more and more general, people pass part of their seasons in 
different regions, and strange similarities are discovered— 
touches of nature indeed that make “ the whole world kin." 
This first number of The Garden Magazine to be devoted 
especially to affairs of the South is dedicated to the wonderful 
work that is being accomplished by the very active garden 
clubs and such-like organizations that are rapidly springing into 
being in that region of great opportunity, favored as it is in so 
many ways regarding climate and season. 
THE DAHLIA SEASON 
T HIS number of The Garden Magazine is going to press 
just as the Dahlia Shows are in full sway, which prevents 
our giving them consideration this month. Briefly it may be 
said that, despite a trying summer which threatened at one 
time to obliterate any great display of Dahlia bloom, nature 
retrieved herself toward the end with an ensuing triumph of 
flowers. It has been an interesting season in regard to a 
scarcity of novelties though there are three or four of out¬ 
standing merit. The general trend of fancy still turns toward 
the Decorative and the Hybrid-cactus types with the Singles 
in lessening favor. A study of the varieties in the Shows 
emphasizes the general dominance of a few varieties that have 
been gradually progressing to the front. But of all this in 
detail we shall have more to say in the December issue. That 
issue will also appear, as in recent years, with a special appeal 
to the interests of California and of the Pacific Coast. 
A NNOUNCEMENT will be made in an early issue of the 
results of the Prize Competition for the best account, 
adequately illustrated, of some community or individual effort 
which owes its inspiration to National Garden Week. And 
may it be said by the way, that the number of manuscripts 
submitted up to closing date on October first, the variety and 
quality of achievement is distinctly heartening to the garden- 
minded folk who take their citizenship seriously. 
A N APPLE SHOW, representing what the Eastern region 
L of the country can do opens in New York Nov. 3rd-ioth 
(at the Grand Central Palace). This is an effort to bring the 
merits of Eastern-grown fruit before a greater public and to 
stimulate more planting of Apples on home grounds. The 
American Pomological Society is also meeting in conjunction, 
Nov. 6th, 7th, 8th, and an interesting gathering of horticul¬ 
turists from all states is scheduled. 
THE OPED^ C 0LUM:h L 
Readers' Interchange of Experience and Comment 
In Neighborly Spirit 
To the Editors of The Garden Magazine: 
N REPLY to the appeal of “A Southerner” on page 337 in your 
July issue may we state that we stand ready to do our part. 
The object of our club is to advance the intellectual, social, and 
business interests of the members in floriculture and ornamental horti¬ 
culture in the city of Jacksonville. The club is divided into six chap¬ 
ters—namely florists, professional gardeners, landscape architects, 
ornamental horticulturists, and amateur gardeners. We have estab¬ 
lished a file for the benefit of our members and as a source from which 
to supply our “Garden Notes” issue, featured in the Sunday’s Times 
Union. —J. K. Brower, Secretary, Jacksonville Florists and Gardeners 
Club, Jacksonville, Fla. 
Pine Shavings a Failure as Humus Makers 
To the Editors of The Garden Magazine: 
N REFERENCE to Mr. Egan’s question about pine shaving manure 
(page 337, July G. M.) let me say we have found it does not pay 
to haul shaving manure as a gift. The shavings appear to absorb all the 
ammonia and lock it up somehow and at the same time preserve the 
wood from rotting and making humus. According to an Experiment 
Station analysis, shaving manure has one half the value of clean wheat 
straw.—R. M. Abbott, Bristol, Pa. 
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