which was just coming into magnificent bloom, the best I have ever seen, I be- 
lieve. It was truly a wonder wherever it was shown this year, 
Next came a short morning visit to Col. Nicholls and Dr. Webb in Ithaca, 
New York. The Colonel is quite well and goes about very freely. His peony 
plantings have been reduced to a very few plants now. Dr. Webb is raising a 
number of seedlings, mostly reds, among which he will probably find some very 
fine ones. That afternoon and evening was spent in Syracuse with Mr. and Mrs. 
nay Getman. Mrs. Getman took me out to the garden of her father, the late 
Harry F. Little. It shows the absence of the hand of the master. Bright and 
early next morning I arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Smirnow and 
after a clean up, we went into New York to make ready for the show next day. 
Notes on this show and the two others which I attended will be given in another 
place, and also in the coming issue of the American Peony Society Bulletin. How- 
ever no account of my trip nor extended remarks on varieties will be given by 
me in that bulletin. Mr. Smirnow has a very large collection of peonies, all‘ of 
the best and probably the best private collection of tree peonies in the country. 
From Mr. Smirnow’s I came home for a few days. When I got off the train I 
was met by son Jimmie and daughter Elsie with the information that my old 
home, Windy Hill, which we vacated twelve years ago, was being bought back by 
them and son George. We hope to have possession by the time this is in the mail. 
On Wednesday night the fifteenth of June I set out on the second lap of 
my trip. Thursday night was spent with the Rohes and Friday saw me at Mil- 
waukee for the show, where we all had a good time. The show was fine, the hotel 
good and the annual meeting the liveliest I ever attended, the discussions being 
hot and furious with no hard feelings. It was all great fun. Thank you, -Mil- 
waukee peony fans. 
Sunday night found me once more occupying my old hangout, the lower bunk 
in the cabin at Hi-Way Gardens in West St. Paul. It was indeed a pleasant stay. 
Mi. and Mrs. Jones were as always the perfect hosts. It was my pleasure also 
to see again their daughters Margaret and Gwen. The latter is now married and 
living in Wyoming. Shirley has just been married and was away on her wed- 
ding trip. I regretted not seeing her. The show was as usual the best managed 
cne in the country and had fine flowers which we always expect there. A new 
innovation for me was the broadcast on the Florence Murphy Magazine over sta- 
tion KSTP, the local NBC station, in which Mr. Frank E. Moots, our new presi- 
dent, and myself took part, under the guidance of ihe most gracious MC, Florence 
Murphy herself. Wednesday afternoon the Myron Biggers with their usual 
friendliness and courtesy took me with them to Faribault for a night with the 
Brands. I found Mrs. Brand in good shape and the office force as busy as usual. 
‘Vhursday night Mr. and Mrs. Jones gave me a farewell party in St. Paul with 
many of our mutual peony friends present. Friday morning I left for Chicago, 
stopping for a short time between trains in La Crosse to see a good friend, Miss 
Linda Seiler, whom it was a great pleasure to meet. A week-end with the Rohes 
at Lake Tippecanoe and a day at the Railroad Fair in Chicago ended my journey- 
ings. I arrived home the morning of June 29 and have since been busy with 
my reports of the shows for the Flower Grower, October number, and the bulletin. 
My heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation are due the many friends who 
contributed to making my trips so pleasant and enjoyable. Till me meet again. 
So long. 
