A FOREWORD FROM 
Sandyloam 
In the fall of 1951 we are pleased to offer a number of new lilies. 
These include Dr. F. L. Skinner’s Lemon Lady, W. C. Horsford’s Molly 
Stark, Fred Abbey’s Pink Shelburne Hybrids and Winter Sunset, and 
Jan de Graaff’s Flamingo, Campfire, Enchantment, Fireflame, Pagoda, 
Parade, Tangelo, Tango and Vagabond. All of them are tested in the 
garden, all of them are easy to grow and of distinct and special beauty, 
all of them fill a needed place. Stocks on some are limited, on others 
rather generous. The genus is expanding and, we are glad to say, that 
the trend now is a practical one; i.e. lilies that are beautiful and will 
grow—not just lilies that are beautiful. 
The annual Lily Show for 1952 will probably be held in Cleveland, 
Ohio, in early July. These are invariably stimulating occasions and it 
is urged that all who can, plan to attend, and even now start planning 
their gardens in terms of having things for exhibition. 
BY WAY OF EXPLANATION 
Those of you who know or know of the Macneils are aware that we 
moved to Vermont in 1937 to “live quietly”. Perhaps because we aren’t 
constituted so that a quiet and secluded life is possible; perhaps be- 
cause events forced our hand—the reasons are immaterial—the end 
result has been that we do not live quietly. Along about 1941 Alan 
Macneil decided that he wanted to write music (and a whale of a lot 
of fun it has been) and since the handling of the lilies occupies the year 
only from April 1st to December 1st this left a clear winter for work- 
ing on scores. It happens that a number of these scores have been per- 
formed, others are scheduled for performance and there have been 
specific requests for additional music as well as new musical ideas that 
have to be executed if for no other reason than to ease the mind. The 
two projects work in very well with each other—Lilies from April till 
December; music from December till mid-March. Rather frequently 
during the winter hibernation is essential. A given assignment may 
have to be completed; there may be a deadline for performance (as 
there was on the score for the last film Robert Flaherty made) and 
that is the only time this particular work can be done. So if letters are 
not answered promptly during the winter months we trust that you will 
understand. We find that growing lilies makes for greater facility in 
writing music—and a winter spent with pencil and lined paper makes 
for better lilies come spring-time. 
There is somebody on the grounds from nine in the morning until 
four-thirty in the afternoon from Monday through Friday. On Satur- 
day the grounds can be shown until noon. If you wish to come at times 
other than the above, please write or phone so we will know and can 
plan; or, if we have to be some place else, can tell you. It might also 
be noted that the grounds at Sandyloam are in an area that is pecu- 
liarly liable to the onslaughts of late frost. Since we are interested 
primarily in turning out a bulb for your garden rather than in blooms 
for our own this does not really matter. Nevertheless it is well to 
check with us before making a trip to find out if there is enough to see 
to warrant the venture at any given time. 
ALAN AND ESTHER MACNEIL 
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