UMASS/AMHERST 0 .• • BliEDbbDDSaSflDHfl mw- '^■mm. \^-m '■^-H*^ 4xi-*JiK- LIBRARY OF THE "1 DATE DUE 1 UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY SB 403 S6 5 th 1889-90 '/?^^<^-t:« PROCEEDINQ Fifth Annual Convention OGie.ty 01 •^lorists HELD AT BUFFAl^O, N.Y. A-ugust 20thL, 21st, 22d, and 23d, 18 PUBUSHED BY ORDER OE THE SOCIETY. BOSTON : DANIEL GUNN & CO., PRINTERS, 31 HAWLEY STREET. 1889. LIBRARY AMHERST MASS^ CHAPEL OKKICKRS OF THE For 1889-90, Elected at Buffalo Meeting, Aud^.u'ST 22d,; 1^^. President : J. M. JORDAN, St. Louis, Mo. Vice-President : M. H. NORTON, Boston, Mass. Secretary : WILLIAM J. STEWART, Boston, Mass. Treasurer : MYRON A. HUNT, Terre Haute, Ind. Executive Committee : For One Year. A. P. Calder, Boston, Mass. J. M. Keller, Bay Ridge, N. Y. J. D. Rayxolds, Riverside, 111. For Two Years. Frank Huntsman, Cincinnati, O. RoBT. J. Halliday, Baltimore, Md. J. T. Temple, Davenport, la. For Three Years. Wm. Falconer, Glen Cove, N. Y. John Burton, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. D. B. Long, Buffalo, N. Y. Ui;:,' PROCEEDINGS. FIRST DAY — MOENING. Concert Hall, Music Hall Building, Buffalo, N. Y., Tuesday, August 20, 1889. The Convention was called to order by Vice-President William J. Palmer, of Buffalo, N. Y., by whom the Mayor of the city was intro- duced, Hon. Phillip Becker, Mayor of Buffalo, then delivered an address of welcome, to^which the Convention responded in frequent outbursts of applause. His Honor spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen — Members of the Society of Amei'ican Flor- ists: I have the^honor to extend to you a most cordial greeting on behalf of the authorities^and people of the city of Buffalo, and venture to ex- press the hope that your stay among us may prove as profitable and enjoyable to yourselves as your presence is gratifying and welcome to us, and that when you return to your homes you may take with you most favorable recollections of our young but vigorous city. I under- stand that this is your first visit liere as a society, and provision has been made for your entertainment by a committee, which will escort you and attend to your wants. We have a city of more than 250,000 inhabitants, the population having almost doubled in the last ten years. We have over 400 miles of streets, more than one-half of which are paved. As you drive through the city you will perceive that we have the best street pavement in this country — over seventy miles of asphalt. I need not describe to you the beauty, durability, perfection and smoothness of that pavement, as you will see all this for yourselves when riding over it. We have a park that extends from one side of the city to the other. Your friends, no doubt, will invite you to take a ride in that park, and it will be for you to say what Buffalo has accomplished in that line. Buffalo has its electric lights that extend away out into the country, and if you should amuse yourselves during your stay here by visiting the suburbs, you will surely be able to find your way back. Buffalo has expended not less than 6 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTION. ^300,000 a year in lighting. We have also a splendid railway service, one of the best in the countr}^ Your coming among us has naturally stimulated our interest in the vocation to which many of you have given your lives. The tlorists have done more than has been done by any other class or calling to beautify and elevate our homes. Xot only outside but inside of our houses their beautiful decorations have testified to the excellence of their handiwork. The love of flowers in a community is, in a measure, an evidence of retinement and culture, and the progress of a profession which seeks to make our surroundings more enjoyable and refined is one whose devel- opment cannot be too rapid. No art is more welcome on an}- occasion of festivity, and none is so well calculated to gladden our hearts, as the florist's art. But I will not trespass further upon your time You are in the hands of friends, who will take care of you. It, therefore, only i-emains for me to repeat my welcome, and to tender to you the hospitalities of the city. May your stay with us be pleasant and profitable to you, so that you may not have cause to regret having chosen IJutfalo as your conven- tion city, but may have abundant reason to remember your visit with pleasure. [Applause.] Mr. A. P. Calder, of Boston (a member of the Executive Com- mittee of the S. A. F.), being called upon by Vice-President Palmer, responded to the Mayor's welcome. He said: Mr. Mayor: Judging by the interest which your address has awakened and the close attention it has commanded, you certainly have struck the key-note and banished beyond the possibility of their return those feelings of hesitation and embarrassment which are incident to new situ- ations and new surroundings, and I but voice the sentiments of every lady and gentleman present when I in turn, extend to you our most sin- cere and hearty thanks for your welcome; and they are not common duty thanks, sir, cold and studied and soulless, but they are spontaneous crea- tions, born of the spirit of genuine appreciation, born of the spirit of enthusiasm, flowing out towards you from the well-springs of hundreds of hearts, in one grand Niagara of expression; for, mark you, sir, we Florists ai'e an enthusiastic people. [Applause.] Your kindly personal interest in our reception bids me occupy a moment or two in a brief statement of the objects of our coming. Indi- vidually, sir, we have come together as scholars, as learners, as seekers after information and knowledge that shall be of practical benefit to us in the chosen calling in which we are engaged; — as an organization we appear before you, sir, as a great teacher, an educator, a grand dissemi- nator of advanced ideas, and practical successes and experiences. To mj' mind, Mr. Mayor, one of the grandest results that we achieve, as an oi'ganization, is that we bring so many bright and interesting and earnest men and women together, such as you see here gathered before you, that we set so many minds astir on the same subject at the same time, thus SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. / giving a common fund for thought and discussion. Our President's address, with its review and suggestions, the essays and questions, with their discussions and answers, and the various objects of interest in the Exhibition Hall, set us all to thinking; the thoughts inspire us to talking, and tliey both, later on, guide the way and stimulate us to more intelli- gent investigation; and it goes without saying, sir, that it is impossible for any one to think, and talk, and investigate, without experiencing a broadening and expanding of mind, and the rising to a higher plane of intellectual and physical action that must needs be of great benefit to us in our profession and business. This, Mr. Mayor, is the great aim and object of our organization. And so we have left the quiet surroundings of our respective homes, and journeyed to your attractive city to fulfill this great mission of our Society. We have come together to talk and to listen, to teach and to learn, to interchange thoughts, ideas and opinions, to modify, change and perfect ways and means which the constantly increasing magnitude of our business demands — and not forgetting that other charming and attractive feature, the social advantages to which, sir, you have so pleasantly referred, we have come together to form new acquaintances and renew old friendships. Our membership is not con- fined to our own country; we have come not only from the East and the West, from the North and the South of our own United States, but, as you have observed from yonder flags [indicating the American and British colors ovei'head] we have stepped beyond the boundary line and welcomed the delegations from Canada. [Great applause.] And now, sir, I am confident that I should not fulfill in satisfactory measure the expectations of these ladies and gentlemen, whose servant it is my especial privilege to be, if I neglected to tell you that they recip- rocate most sincerely all the kind wovds and good wishes with which you have so pleasantly, and may I not say auspiciously, started us upon the business and pleasures of our convention, and for which we beg once more to extend to you our appreciation and our thanks, and at the same time to express the hope that your expectation that our visit will be fol- lowed by delightful memories of your city will be fully verified. [Applause.] PRESIDENT may's ADDRESS. President John N. May (upon being here presented by Vice-Presi- dent Palmer) was tumultuously applauded, — Mr. M. H, Norton, of Bos- ton, leading in three rousing cheers for " Our worthy President.'' When quiet had been restored, President May delivered his annual address. The address was as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: For the fifth time we have met in Conven- tion for the express purpose of instruction and mutual intercourse, and it affords me very great pleasure to-day to say to you all that our society, though young, is growing and flourishing; long may it continue to do so, and each and every year become more useful, more instructive, and 8 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. more extended, and we can do this in no way better than by advancing and elevating our business. To advance the best interests of all we must elevate our business and our standing in the commercial world; as workmen and artists we must show that we are able to keep abreast of the times, and the best possible opportunity for us to do so is to meet, as we are doing here to-day, and freely discuss all matters of interest; for there are collected here to-day many of the brightest minds of the country, whose ideas and views will be of immense value and help to us. Xo one can deny what wonderful strides have been made in the making up of floral designs alone within the last ten years, and hundreds of other branches of our ' business have shown equal advancement. This is as it should be, and that we have advanced so rapidly in many of these things is very largely due to the Society of American Florists; but no one will deny that we have ample room for improvement left. Let us then all unite and try to carry on the good work, for to elevate our business is to raise each and all of us on the plane of life. It may be well to consider for a moment what elevating our business means. It means, my fellow-members, higher art, broader views, honorable and strict integrity in all our deal- ings, and I know of no better means of advancing our calling to this plane than the education of our young men, and our children also, who are to succeed us in this business. By the term education, I touch upon a very vital subject, and though following somewhat in the footsteps of my worthy predecessors, I cannot help referring to it again. To my mind, I think we, who are conducting the florist business of to-day, should very seriously consider it for the good of posterity. As we train the young men and boys now in our employ, so in a great measure will they conduct the future business. Therefore we should be careful to start right. If we conduct our business in a strictly honorable way, we shall do much, very much, to inculcate the same principle into the minds of our assistants; and if we use care and judgment in selecting the same, we shall accomplish much. To be a successful florist a young man should have a fair school education, and in addition he should have a natural taste and love for flowers. This combined with a good business train- ing and strict application will produce the desired result in most in- stances; and here I would like to give a word of advice to the young man who wishes to become a florist. To all such I would say the florist's path is not all roses without thorns; neither can you be a successful florist without hard work, perseverance, and strict application to business. Very many young men of to-day think they would like to go into the florist's business because it's nice easy work, soon learnt and lots of money to be made. To all such I would say, there can be no greater mistake made. When you start in business for yourselves, begin on a sound basis by meeting your obligations on time, live always within your income, incur no debts till you can see your way clear to pay them. This may be too slow for some, but its the only safe way, and will save SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 9 you many regrets iu after life; and to learn the business requires a life- time study. One of the most apt illustrations of this I ever heard was from an old friend, who said that he had been over tifty years at the business but was only an apprentice yet; and so it is, our business is never learned except by coutinual study. An establishment such as Mr. Hill advocated in his address to you last year would be of great help to the young student, but that would never make the successful tlorist alone. It is a deplorable fact that many who have graduated from simi- lar institutions, although well versed in the theory of horticulture, are lamentably deficient in practical experience, and for some unaccountable reason, very few of them ever overcome the ditHculty. There are some ver}' honorable exceptions to this, but it's the exception, not the rule, so far as my observation has gone. One of the best written letters, con- taining many excellent ideas in theory, I ever received was from a graduate of such an institution. His letter very much impressed me with the man's knowledge, but upon investigation I found him to be very deficient practically. The greatest man of modern age, Herbert Spenser, says " all our industries would cease were it not for that in- formation which men begin to acquire, as they best may, after their education is said to be finished;" and this is particularly true of our business. Theory is very pleasant to read, but if you wish to get at the root of a ti'ee, you must take a spade and dig until you get it. And if you want to be a fiorist you must make up your mmd to work hard, both with your hands and head. I do not by this wish to convey the idea that I am not in favor of a good training school, such as Mr. Hill advo- cated; on the contrary, I think it would be of great service to us. But there is another means by which we can all learn an immense amount of practical good, and that is by public exhibitions. These are not only educators of liorists, but of the whole public at large, and as such we should do all we possibly can to advance and extend them; it may be they will not put money directly in our pockets, but they educate the public to love flowers and in the near future will bring its own reward. I would earnestly recommend this Society to use its best endeavors to extend Horticultural exhibitions wherever possible, and also would suggest that the horticultural press of the country could do very much to stimulate and promote the same if more attention was- paid to it. We as a body are very grateful to the same for the kindly way they have always treated us. And another of the important things we should encourage is new seedlings of home production. In our haste we do not give the time to this branch of the trade that we ought; though I am pleased to say we have several very promising things in this line raised here, and as our demand increases, so will the desire to produce- them without depending upon other countries for our novelties. Many of these we get from abroad are novelties only in name and not worth the paper it takes to describe them. This is particularly noticeable in many of the new roses sent to us from France of late years. Thoughi 10 PROCEEDIXGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. there have been some grains among the chaff, very few indeed are suita- ble to our climate, and the sooner we turn our attention to this matter iind go to work in earnest the better it will be for all concerned. A wide and interesting field opens itself for us, for although much has been done by men here to improve the carnation and some few other flowers with the best results, still a great many species have hardly been touched at all in the past, and to those we should now turn our attention and con- duct it as we should our other business. This brings us to consider the method, or the lack of method, so general among us, in conducting our business. It is very much to be regretted that we should have to speak of this at all here, byt with many of us who do a wholesale business, the fact is brought very plainly to our notice, and I think we. as a body, should take some means to protect the trade against those who buy goods, promising to pay at a certain time, and then after receiving the goods, utterly ignore the fact that they owe anything to the party furnishing the same; and all such should be treated by tl\is Society as they deserve. There are many other loose practices in this business. For instance, having delivered goods to a man, the bill being due, we are very apt to get a reply to our request for payment of same, somewhat in this style: ^' I cannot pay for the goods at present, as I have built another house since receiving the plants and it has taken all the money I had to do so." Such parties take it for granted they have a perfect right to use your money without even asking for the loan of it. Should you suggest they ought to pay interest for the use of your money, they would call you any- thing and everything except a fair-dealing man. Yet in every business with which I am acquainted, except ours, any party allowing his bill to CO unpaid over the date specified, expects to and does pay interest for all such time allowed, and no business can be expected to succeed where one party uses the capital of another without fair compensation. There are many other loose and irregular ways used by some in our calling, and all such abuses should be remedied by those who wish to be considered honorable men. The renaming of plants to suit the seller's purpose is, to say the least, a very objectionable practice, and it should be the busi- ness of this Society to aid its committee on nomenclature all it possibly can, as the aim and object of the committee is to correct all such abuses. A flower needs only one name, and that should be its first, given to it by the raiser or introducer; and to any one buying an old variet}- at an advanced price, under a new name, it is an injustice, and works against the best interests of the trade all over the country. Nature's greatest charms are flowers, and anything and everything we can do to diffuse the love of them broadens our business, increases our trade and stimu- lates new interest. The first habitation of man was a garden, where, we are told, everything was beautiful; and in this our day, we can see around us plenty of instances where man's inordinate passions are sub- dued and softened as soon as he becomes a lover of flowers. Let us then use our best efforts to increase such love. We are to have pre- SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 11 seiited to us during this meeting an all-important question, nameh', the national tlower or emblem, wherein comes an opportunity to stimulate us in this very work. The committee in charge of this matter, 1 doubt not, will have many interesting facts regarding the same to present to you here, and whatever the choice of this Society, as a body, may be, whether it be Golden Rod, Sunflower, or any other flower, I trust it will bring golden honors to this Society and all its members; but we shall have to handle this subject with great care, as the matter has already received much attention from the press all over the country, and many of the leading people of the Union have already voted on this subject. But in this and all other matters appertaining to our best interests, the various florists clubs and like organizations can be of great value to our profession in diffusing knowledge, if only treated in the right way; and we want also the co-operation of the retail florists, for our interest in all matters are very closely allied, and I trust in the very near future we shall see them taking the same lively interest in our Society as the grow- ers now do, and we should use our best endeavors to protect the retail florist. From all over the country I have received letters complaining that the large wholesale growers are selling to private gentlemen at the same prices as to retail dealers. This is undoubtedly a hardship, and to my mind an injustice, and should, I think, have our careful considera- tion, and if possible a remedy should be found; for even where the dealer can buy at 25 or 30 per cent, below the regular retail price, the heavy express charges he has to pay reduces his profits to a mini- mum; and to make matters worse, the express companies have now advanced rates all over the country. Eight of the leading companies have now signed a code to charge a uniform rate of five cents for each returned empty. This will add considerable to the expenses of the cut- flower grower, and although the matter has been laid before them very plainly, showing the injustice of such charges, yet no good has resulted from it up to this date; but I think if united action was taken in the matter all over the country, we might get it rescinded. But from past experience I have little hope of getting any reduction in the charges for plants, but it is to our interest to take every means in our power to pro- tect ourselves from injustice; it is also greatly to our interest to protect ourselves from heavy losses in every way we can. The Florist Hail Association offers a good protection against its visitation and destructive work and deserves our earnest support. On the first of June last Mr. Esler wrote me that there were over 1,200,000 feet insured, with a good reserve fund still on hand. This shows the thing has come to stay, and the increased interest- on the part of the florists all over the country augurs well for its future prosperity. To those not already insured, I would earnestly advise them to join it before the close of this Conven- tion, as the present time is everything to them; and in other matters this word deserves our thoughts for a few moments. The successful busi- ness man knows and appreciates its value, and we as florists cannot 12 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVEXTION. afford to disregard it, though I am sorry to be obliged to say that iu the past many of lis have not appeared to regard it of any value. I allude to the time of opening our meetings at the past Conventions. Those (and there were many) who got to the place of meeting on time, were obliged to wait, in some instances, an unreasonable time, for others who thought it was of no consequence to open the meeting at the hour appointed. This, to say the least, was very unjust to those in attendance, and should in the future be carefully avoided. "With the amount of work now before us, we should endeavor to open the sessions on time, and if those who aie forgetful of time will kindly keep their watches wound regularly, there will not be so much need of our reverting to this subject again. Many of us who are doing business to-day are largely responsible for the trouble about time. In our desire to do a large business, we often ship goods without due inquiry as to the consignee's ability to pay for them. This is not right; it may appear hard to the person ordering them, to be told the goods cannot be shipped till paid for, or its equivalent, but many a good man could be saved from ruin by having such a lesson taught him in time. It's better to do a small business on a sound basis than a large one on a rotten foundation. Time is of great value to us all; many of us are apt to ask for an extension to pay our bills, or more time to eat our breakfast, more time to discuss politics, but if we measure it right we can find time for all things, and time to get to this hall at the hour named in our programme; then we shall have more leisure to enjoy the beauties of this lovely city of Buffalo and its surroundings, its grand park system, which justly ranks among the finest in the country, and I trust we shall all return to our homes with many pleasant recollections of our visit and many items of great value gained during our meeting and intercourse here. [Applause.] Before closing, I will say a few words in memory of our departed brethren, whose deaths occurred during the past year. The All-wise Dispenser of all things has seen fit to remove from our midst some bright shining lights. The first of those whom I shall name died prior to the last annual meeting; but the Society had not learned of his death at that time. Harry S. Garrow, of Pittsburg, Fa., died on the 4th of December, 1887. He was well-known and highly esteemed by many around his home. H. B. Morse, of Natick, Mass., a late member of the firm of T. Donavan & Co., a young man of high personal character, died October 8th, 1888. H. J. McGall, of Orange, N.J., died January 6th, 1889, after a short illness of only six days, in the prime of life. He was a man whom any- one might well feel proud to call friend. Always kind and true, the very soul of honor in all his business transactions, he was, moreover, one of the earnest workers for the welfare of this Society; and I deeply regret the duty which makes it necessary for me to chronicle his untimely removal from our midst. SOCIETY' OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 13 D. VVilmot Scott, for many years the efficient Secretary of the American Association of Nurserymen, died at Galena, 111., Aug. 28, 1888. John Craig, of Loudon, Ontario. In him was an example of what a true lover of Nature's greatest charms (flowers) can do. He started as a schoolboy with two or three common hot-bed sash, gradually increas- ing until, at the time of his death, on the 20th of February last, he had 2,000 feet of glass, though he was not yet nineteen years old. I am sure every member present will unite with me in sympathy with the parents of that young man. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. The next order of business being reports of officers, Mr. William J. Stewart, of Boston, the Secretary, presented and read his annual report. It was as follows : The year just past has been one of prosperity for the Society of American Florists. The increase of the annual assessments from $2 to |?3, which was decided upon at the meeting one year ago, proves to have been a wise measure. Among the hundreds of members who have remitted their dues this year, not one has fouud fault with or criticized the change, or questioned the value of the equivalent they receive for their annual .f3. The number of members has not decreased in consequence of the larger assessment; and the Society finds itself with funds enough in "its treasury to meet all its present needs, — a most gratifying state of affairs as compared with its condition under the former .t=2 arrangement. It is also pleasant to record that our losses in membership by'death have been so few, but four deaths having come to my knowledge this year, against eight for the preceding year. The attitude of the Society towards those members failina; to keep their annual dues paid up regularly, as set forth in the amendment to the By-laws adopted last year, has had a most salutary effect. Our membership is no longer of a transient character, shifting and changing annually, according to the section of the country in which we happened to meet in convention, but we have grown into a well-organized body, with a permanent and constantly increasing membership. There have been a few delinquents who have protested against the enforcement of the rule; but when they have found that they must pay up or forfeit their membership, they iiave promptly decided to do the former. The number of names dropped from the roll last year in consequence of non-payment of dues, has been more than compensated for by the new accessions. The annual meeting of the Executive Committee in this city last January was well attended, harmonious, and characterized by much earnestness on the part of the members. The change in arrangement of the programme for this meeting, whereby we have but two sessions daily instead of three, was made in accordance with what seemed to be the general desire of our members, and with confidence 'that this action would be ratified by a vote of the Society at this time. Much time was given to the discussion of the matter of correct " nomenclature," and to the arrangement of the very important com- mittee on that subject. The work of your Executive Committee is also seen in the pro- gramme arranged for this meetiui;. 1-4 PEOCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. The State vice-presidents have been called upon for but little work during the past year, but that little has been accepted and performed willintjly and well. The vote passed at the Xew York meeting, authorizing the sale of additional copies of the Annual Report, at 81 each to members, has not shown any encouraging results, — less than twenty copies having been disposed of in this manner during the year. The Annual Report, also the Programme of this meeting, have been mailed to all the prominent horticultural societies and periodicals in this country and in Europe; and quite a number of interesting publi- cations have been received in exchange. The correspondence of the Society is much larger than it was a year ago, and is rapidly increasing. On motion of Mr. C. B. Whitxall, of Milwaukee, Wis., the report was accepted, and ordered to be tiled with the records of the Society. RSPORT OF THE TREASURER. Mr. Myron A. Hunt, of Terre Haute, lud.. Treasurer of the Society, responding to the call of the Chair, made the following report: Mr. President and Members of the Association: Your Treasurer would report as follows: Receipts for the year closing January 1, 1SS9. Balance from 1888, . . . . •. . . Sll».23 Membership fees for 1888, 1,V(85.00 Sale of Reports, 14.00 — §2,018.23 The expenditures are as follows: Secretary Stewart's salary to January 1, 1889, . 8500.00 Printing' of the Reports, 318.42 Badges for 1888, 86.60 Miscellaneous printing. ...... 135.68 Postage, stationery, and expressage, . . . 188.43 Stenographer at Xew York, 140.00 Total expenditure to January 1, ISSO, . . 81,309.13 Leaving in the treasury a balance at that date of . 8649.10 The expenses since January 1, 1889, are ns follows: Executive Committee meeting in this city, in Jan'y, 8313.22 Nomenclature Committee meeting in New York. . 54.00 Secretary's salary to July 1, 1889, .... 250.00 Leaving in the hands of the Treasurer at the present time, from the funds of 1888, .... §31.88 " Examined and apinoved. Peter Hexdeksok, A. P. Calder, Members of the Executive Committee." The President. The Society has heard the Treasurer's very favorable report. What is its pleasure in connection therewith ? SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 15 On motion of Mr. John Henderson, the Treasurer's report was accepted. EXPRESS HATES OX PLANTS. The President. We have some special committees from which reports are expected at this time. The first of these is the Committee on Express Rates on Plants, of which Mr. Peter Henderson is Chair- man. Has the committee any special report to make on the subject ? Mr. Peter Henderson, of Jersey City, N. J. Mr. President: In reponse to inquiries made by members of my firm, who called on express companies on July 12th, I received the following statement: " You ask for a reduction in the rate on flowering and ornamental plants, which application received due consideration at our hands. I take pleasure in advising }ou that the traffic committee, composed of representatives of the leading express companies, has adopted the following uniform schedule of rates for plants of all kinds: ' When packed close in boxes or crates, regular merchandise rates; when packed open, double rates; when not so packed, single rates.' "• I suppose that members undei'Staud the meaning of that. When a box is packed and lidded over, it goes at the single merchandise rate; but if it is not lidded and the jilants are exposed, unless it is slatted over, you have to pay the double rate. In our practice of late, in hot weather, we have slatted across the boxes, but of course in the case of tall plants we cannot do that, and upon them we have had to pay the double rate. The other day we had a dozen boxes of celery going to a point in Pennsylva- nia. The express companies sent their wagons to my place for the boxes and wanted to make a special rate for them. We said, "No, we will send these by freight," and declined to accept the special rate. I think that if florists generally will determine, in such instances, to send only by freight, and )vill send all that they can send in that way, they will proba- bly compel the express companies to modify the decision they have reached. The matter is a most serious one to florists, particularly in the summer months, because there is no possible way of packing safely with- out having the plants exposed to the air. [Applause.] The meeting is aware, probably, of the fact that the express com- panies will send packages of one and a half pounds for ten cents and at the rate of half a cent per ounce or fraction thereof for all in excess of that weight. In other words, if the package is two pounds, it would be sent for fourteen cents. That is to meet the post-office rate on small packages, but of course that does not affect large packages going by express. Mr. H. A. SiEBRECHT, of New Rochelle, N. Y. : I think that the sug- gestion of Mr. Henderson, that we should look for relief to the freight lines, especially the fast freight lines, the trunk lines, is one of great interest to all of us, as those lines will perhaps help us out in this matter of overcharges on expressage. I suggest that if we would make it our business to see and confer with the freight companies, we could have 16 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. them send our goods along more rapidly, and in that waj- we might be able to bring the express companies to terms. I think that the remedy is to be applied l)v working on that line. Mr. Peter Henderson. I Avould say to Mr. Siebrecht that the great dithculty is in sending to a considerable distance. Of course there is no responsibility attaching for dela}' in the delivery of a package that goes by freight, and it may be shut off on some siding and lie there for two or three days. As a matter of fact we guarantee safe delivery of all goods by express, but we specifically state that we will not be responsible where they are sent as freight. Ordinarily we do not send as freight except on the short lines. On motion of Mr. Alexander Murdoch, of Cincinnati, the report of the committee was accepted and the committee ordered to be continued. DUTY on bulbs. The President. The next committee report will be on the duty on bulbs, of which committee also Mr. Henderson is Chairman. Mr. Peter Henderson. On this subject I have to say that the firm with which I am identified has less to do with bulbs than other firms represented here, and therefore it would perhaps have been better to have selected some one other than myself as chairman of the committee. I would say, however, that I have bad consultations with gentlemen interested in the subject, notably with Mr. Allen, of Garden City, Long Island. The most important phase of the bulb question, I suppose, is that with respect to bulbs for use in forcing. In an interview with Mr. Aug. Rolker, concerning the advisability of reducing the present import duty of twent}' per cent on bulbs, he said that not only was he in favor of reducing it but-would advocate the abolition of it entirely, as the bulbs which are largely imported, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, etc., cannot be grown successfully in the United States; that therefore the tax imposed upon them is of no benefit to the American grower, as Nature debars him from competing with the European grower, whilst, by need- lessly increasing the cost of these bulbs to the home fiorist, the tax limits their sale and is a means of keeping him from growing profitably a much greater quantity than he grows at present. As an instance of how the trade in these articles is affected by the duty, he cited the case of Lily of the Valley. You, Mr. President, will understand that Lilies of the Val- ley are put on the free list because they are not bulbs but are known as roots. This distinction is made as between bulbs and roots, though the di-;tinction is sometimes a pretty nice one. Mr. Kolker stated that after Lily of the Valley had been placed on the free list, his sales had at once doubled in amount, and they have gone on increasing until they have now quadrupled. He is satisfied that if the duty on Lily of the Valley was restored, his sales would dwindle as rap- idh' as they increased. This would, of course, entail a heavier loss on. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 17 the florist than on the dealer, as the iuvestment of the former is far greater than that of the latter. Another evil resulting from a high tariif , and one which affects the dealers while it does not benefit the florist, is that it enables unscrupulous itinerant European bulb dealers to reap a rich harv'^est on their sales when by resorting to sharp practices they contrive to evade the customs. This evil has been partiallj'^ remedied since the duty was lowered and would of course be entirely done away with if the tariff was removed. The President invited discussion of the report of the committee. Mr. H. A. SiEBRECHT. I wonder if the duty on bulbs cannot be qualified, so that it may be removed from those bulbs which we are obliged to import and which cannot be produced in our soil or in this country, while the duty is retained on bulbs of the class which we can grow here. That is the question which is suggested by the report — whether Congress ought not to make a discrimination in the imposition of the duty on bulbs. I think that application should be made for some action by Congress on that point. We cannot grow Tulips, Hyacinths, and Narcissus, and forcing bulbs of that class, with people on the other side Since the disease appeared in Hol- land the growers in some parts of Germany have been very successful in the culture of bulbs, and we have had to look to them for their bulbs for our business. Therefore I think that those bulbs ought to be allowed to come in free of duty. In the case of Gladioluses, Liliums, etc., which no doubt we can produce here in equal perfection, I believe there should be a duty for our protection. I think it would be well for the committee to investigate further, and therefore I would move that the report be accepted and the present committee be continued. Mr. G. L. Grant, of Chicago. I would like to suggest, in connec- tion with what has been said about the removal of this duty, that Illinois has an infant industry in the raising of tulips. One gentleman now in this hall raises all the tulips he forces. I do not know but that we may need this protection, after awhile, for our infant industry. Mr. W. J. Palmer, of Buffalo. I would say that you can raise tulips in this country just as easily as you can grow them in Europe. The crop does not look as well as the European crop on account of the outside skin, but for forcing purposes they are equally as good. I am growing from 30,000 to 40,000 of them, which are as good as any of the imported bulbs. Tulips can be planted in the fall and taken up at the end of June. Mr. W. AValker, of Louisville, Ky., said he believed that if the Society of American Florists should put the matter in acceptable formi and bring it before the national authorities, it would be able to have the; duty fixed in accordance with any standard it might propose. Mr. J. T. Anthony, of Chicago. From the knowledge I have acquired in looking over the matter, I think that the most inviting field 18 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. for investment in the florist business to-day is that which is to be found in the West, in the growing of tulips. We can grow tulips in this couu- tr}' as well as and even better than they are grown in Europe. We have some varieties which the Holland men say are better than they have in Holland and thej' have expressed a desire to buy the stock of one party who has grown them here for forty years. Mr. C. B. Whitnall, of Milwaukee. I am prepared to testify to the fact that it is possible to grow Tulips and Hyacinths in this country successfully, but the point now to be considered, I think, is as to the benefit to the Society at large from the duty on bulbs. Whether we can afford to sacrifice the twenty per cent, on the whole of the bulbs handled here, in order to benefit one or two growers in Illinois, who think they can grow bulbs successfully, is the question. I do not think that we ought to make any such sacrifice for the sake of one or two small growers. [Applause.] Mr. John Crowlev, of Dedham, Mass. I would like to move an amendment providing that the duty on tulips shall be stricken off. The President. That proposition is substantially embodied in, or covered by, the motion now ponding, which is that the committee be continued for consultation with the proper authorities upon the subject. Mr. Peter Henderson. 1 fail to understand from the motion of Mr. Siebrecht whether the proposition is to have the duty taken off or not. Mr. Siebrecht. Certainly; that is the proposition. That is what the committee was appointed for — to recommend that the duty be stricken off entirely. The President. The motion is that the report of the committee be accepted as read, and that the committee be continued Avith instructions to use their best endeavors to have the duty on bulbs rescinded. [A vote being taken the motion was carried.] recognition of members. The President. The Chair calls attention to a communication received from Mr. J. Horace McFarland, of Harrisburg, Pa., in regard to some means of facilitating the recognition of members by each other. The Secretary will please read the paper. Secretary Stewart. The communication is the report of the com- mittee, which was appointed one 3^ear ago, to formulate and perfect some plan whereby members of the Society may easily recognize each other and enjoy greater facilities for finding those whom they wish to see. Mr. McFarland, the Chairman of the Committee, states that he is unable to be present here but sends a report in writing, which I will now read. report of the C05IMITTEE ON RECOGNITION, APPOINTED AT THE meeting of AMERICAN FLORISTS IN NEW YORK, AUGUST, 1S88. In pursuance of the instructions of the Society, your committee pre- pared what they deemed a practical plan for mutual recognition, which S^OCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. I'J it was desired to put in operation at this meeting of the Society. Upon submitting it to the officers, liowever, they seemed to think it better that the details of tlie plan be submitted for the consideration of the Society. In view of the desirability of an easy method of mutual recognition among members, your committee has investigated all plans suggested toward that end. So far, the only one which appears to measurably attain the desired result is that which has been in use for a number of 3'ears by the American Association of Nurserymen. This is substantially as follows: The names and residences of those members remitting their annual dues to the secretary or treasurer up to within say two weeks of the annual meeting at the latest, are printed in a small book convenient for the pocket, each name having assigned to it a number, said number to be plainly printed in gold upon a small ribbon badge to be worn in connec- tion witii the badge of the Society. The names in the book are to be indexed in two lists, both in numerical and alphabetical, and one of these books and the badge to be supplied to members upon their registry with the local committee, or the secretary upon arriving at the place of annual meeting. If not desirable, a supplemental list could be printed of all who pay and join the Society up to noon of the second day of the annual meetings. It might readily be arranged that this supplemental list should be printed and furnished to badge-book holders within a few hours after its completion. The operation of this plan has been quite satisfactory at the nurserymen's annual meetings. When a member desires to meet another whose name and address is known to him, but whose personal appeai^nce is unfamiliar, he consults his badge-book and tiuds there, in the alphabetical index, the number of the member whom he wishes to meet. He lias simply then to be on the lookout for that number on a badge, when he can readily introduce him- self. Should the personal appearance of any one wearing the Society's badge strike another to that extent that he would wish to be personally acquainted with him, a consultation of the book will readily reveal the identity of his vis a vis. There has been more or less sneering at this plan, as this Committee is aware. Some of the members have expressed themselves, it is believed, as being averse to being " ticketed and numbered for inspec- tion," as one of our prominent officers puts it. There has been also quite a feeling among the rank and tile of the Society, that perhaps the officers and more prominent members of the Society did not fully understand the real necessit)' for some such plan as is here proposed, as they themselves were personally known'to every one, and could always meet those with whom they wished to become acquainted. Many others of the members however, have very seriously felt the lack of any adequate way of meet- ing those known to them by reputation or correspondence, and your Committee is fully aware of many cases where those attending our 20 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVEXTION. annual meetings came and went without becoming personally acquainted with many business friends whom they desired to meet. The old way of depending upon State Vice-Presidents for personal introductions, and distinguishing, or rather ticketing this same State Vice-President by means of a particular colored ribbon in accordance with the plan in use here to-day, is well known to be completely worthless for all practical purposes. When you want to meet your friend of correspondence, you haven't time to hunt up his particular State Vice-President! The plan your Committee have proposed was copyrighted by the late secretary of the American Association of Xurserymen, but your Com- mittee has secured from the present secretary, Mr. Charles A. Green, of Rochester, the right to use it for the Society of American Florists, and it is confidently recommended as the solution of the matter which was referred to this Committee. Your Committee would respectfully suggest that if the Society desires to adopt this plan, or any moditicatiou of it, or any other plaa looking toward the same end, they give definite instructions at this meet- ing to the Executive Committee, or to a special committee, so that there may be nothing in the way of a proper trial of such a plan. It might l»e well, also, to appropriate a small amount of money for use in preparing the books and badges; though the Xurserjmen, instead of spending any money upon the plan, dei-ive a very considerable revenue from it by inserting advertisements in the badge-book. This, however, is not rec- ommended. It tends to make the badge-book bulky and inconvenient for reference, and rather cheapens the whole affair. It is thought that this Society is in a sufficiently prosperous condition to afford its members this much needed convenience. With the hope that this, or any other plan of a proper character, may be definitely determined upon at this meeting, your Committee respectfully submits this report. J. Horace McFarland, Chairman. Mr. Walker, of Louisville. Mr. President, by way of endorsing the recommendation of the report, I would mention the fact, that often we are unable to recall the names of different florists to whom we have been introduced, though their faces are familiar to us. This is fre- uently the case as to those whom we have met at previous Conven- tions and who have not been in attendance for a year or two. Some little embarrassment naturally results. If, under a plan such as is now proposed, we can refer to the number of a member, as stated in the book, and in that way ascertain the name of that member, we will be relieved from the embarrassment to which we would otherwise be sub- jected. Mr. J. M. Jordan, of St. Louis, moved the acceptance of the report. Mr. H. A. SiEBRECHT, of New York. I would like to embody in the motion a provision that the necessary amount of money be appro- SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 21 priated at this meeting to carry into effect the recommendation made by Mr. McFarland, so that at our next meeting the plan maybe in opera- tion. I would also suggest that a vote of thanks be tendered to the secretary of the Nurserymen's Association, who holds a copyright of this plan. Mr. Jas. Hendrick, of Albany, X.Y. I rise, Mr. President, to express my full approbation of the plan proposed by Mr. McFarland, and to ask that the report, as read, be accepted, and the details of it referred to the Executive Committee to be carried into effect next year. If the mover of the motion will be kind enough to accept this amend- ment, I think it will embody all that has been said on the subject. Mr. Jordan. T accept the gentleman's suggestion as a modifica- tion of my motion. The motion prevailed without objection. THE AMERICAN CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. The President. The next gentleman whom we will call up is Mr. Thorpe, who has a report to make on the organization of a Chrysanthe- mum Society. [Applause.] Mr. John Thorpe, of Pearl River, N.Y., responded. In view of the Chrysanthemum being of so much importance, I am sorry to sa}' that, as yet, we have not done anything towards the establishment of a National Chrysanthemum Society. I want to ask all the members of this Association who are interested in the Chrysanthemum (and I know that all of them are interested in it), to meet here to-morrow morning, at nine o'clock, so that we can formulate a plan upon which to begin action immediately after the session of to-morrow morning. [Applause.] EXAGGERATIONS IN ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES. Mr. J. D. Eaynolds, of Riverside, Ills, (being called upon by the Chair), said: I invite attention to a subject which was brought to the notice of the Executive Committee last winter, but which has never been presented before the Convention. Complaints have been made at sundry times from many people that they were constantly irritated by the false, misleading, exaggerated cuts displayed in the illustrated catalogues, — especially in the catalogues of those who were offering new and high- priced novelties The Executive Committee was asked to see if some measures might be taken to abate this nuisance. A special committee was appointed last winter, with instructions to prepare a draft of a • motion, or to make a suggestion such as, in its judgment, would meet the case. We are hardly prepared to present any distinct resolution for adoption, because the matter seems to be one that ought to came before the Convention for general discussion. After we have had an indica- tion of the views of the Convention, we may be better able to formulate a'resolution with a view to final action upon the subject. 22 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. The Committee on Exaggerations in Illustrated Catalogues, respect- fully submit the following suggestions: 1. " That catalogue makers be invited, before publishing a cut of any new tlower, plant, fruit, or vegetable, to submit such cut to the Executive Committee of the Society of American Florists, or to any three members of that committee, together with a specimen of the origi- nal flower, fruit, etc., as the case may be, for comparison; and that the said committee or sub-committee be authorized, in the name of the Society of American Florists, to accept and approve such cuts as they find true to Nature, and the publisher be given certificates of such approval, with liberty to print the same in his catalogues." Of course there ai'e matters of detail as to just how this should be done, which have not been fully worked out. Suppose the publisher of a catalogue submits a dozen cuts of new things that he proposes to illustrate in his next catalogue, and submit specimens at the same time. The committee approves, say ten of those, or perhaps the whole dozen; then they have these cuts numbered, and the publisher of the catalogue is given a certificate, saying: "The cuts in this catalogue numbered from one to twelve inclusive, have been submitted to the committee of the Society of American Florists, and have been found by us to be true to Nature." This is signed with the names of the committee. 2. " That all publishers of illustrated catalogues be invited to send in specimen copies for competition at our annual exhibitions; and that a certificate of highest merit be given to the best catalogue submitted, and a special certificate of merit be given to every catalogue that is found to be quite free from false, exaggerated, and misleading illustra- tions." y>. " That when the attention of the committee is called to any cata- logue which continues persistently to show false and misleading cuts, it shall be the duty of the committee to call the attention of the publisher to the occasion for complaint, and if he fails or refuses to remove the offending cuts then to bring the matter before the next general Conven- tion so that the name of such recalcitrant publisher may become generally known." James D. Rayxolds. Geo. L. Grant. Mr. R. J. Mendenhall, of Minneapolis, Minn., moved that the repoi't be accepted as read and referred to the Executive Committee for final action, with power to act. Mr. .Jas. Hendrick, of Albany, Mr. President, I am sorry to dis- agree with our brethren wdio have presented the very able report which has just been read. I am disposed to sustain them in their recommend- ations but am a little apprehensive that the plan which they pi'opose is one that will never be carried out. My reason for this apprehension is SOCIETX OF AMEKICAN FI.OUISTS. 23 that it would impose upon the Executive Committee more labor than they could reasonably perform. I do not want to see you adopt a regu- lation that will be impracticable. If all the catalogues published in the United States and sent to you are to be criticised by your Executive Committee, and the illustrations which they contain compared with the natural flower or fruit in each case, the committee would soon find that the time at their disposal was not sufHcient for the work allotted them. You will have to j^ension the Executive Committee if you impose on them a task such as that. Would it not answer as well for the officers of the Society, with the Executive Committee, at our annual meetings, to criti- cise catalogues containing exaggerated representations and to propose a vote of censure by the Society of Florists against a publisher who has issued such false representations'? We live in an age when every man puts his best foot foremost and when it is customary for business com- petitors to exaggerate to some extent, in the advancement of their inter- ests. This is the case from the smallest grocer to the largest merchant, and men in the florist trade are not an exception to the general rule. But it occurs to me that if we undertake to compare every illustration of a flower or a fruit with the original, we will have entered upon a work which it Avill be impossible for us to complete. Mr. Grant, of Chicago. 1 would suggest that the gentleman (Mr. Hendrick) appears to be laboring under a slight misapprehension as to the amount of work which will be necessitated by the proposed regula- tion. It is contemplated to have the Executive Committee go over ttie illustrations and certify from their own knowledge as to the correctness of them. This they can do without an actual comparison in every case, because the things which are represented have been introduced for a number of years and the committee is perfectly familiar with and knows all about them. An actual inspection would be necessary only in a case in which a new flower or fruit is introduced. Gentlemen, we want to draw the line just as sharply as we can between the rascal and tbe honest man. [Applause.] We want to give the honest man every benefit that we can give him, and it behooves us to take some positive action for his protection. At present he is svvamped under, while his unscrupulous competitor comes out with a flaming colored plate which is exaggerated beyond all description, and the poor people of the country are taken in by it. We want the honest man who is now placed at a disadvantage to reap all the beneflt which is enjoyed by the other man. My idea about this matter is to have some sort of a trade mark which the Society of American Florists can place upon an accurate illustration and thereby give that illustration a weight and a value which an exaggerated one cannot have. We want to give the honest man every chance. It is for this that the Society of American Florists exists. We want to enforce such a regulation as will prevent the dishonest man from inflicting injury upon the trade and upon the public. [Applause.] 24 PROCEEDIKGS OF FIFTH CONA'ENTION. Mr. Peter Hendersox (for whom repeated calls were here made,) said: It occui-s to me that the first proposition presented by Mr. Rayaolds is utterly impracticable. How could it be possible for the committee, in every case, to base their criticisms upon an actual personal inspection of a flower or fruit? I have re.centh' had occasion to realize the futility of this in regard to several plants. Only last week I had to send an artist a distance of nearly fiftj- miles to photograph a group of tomatoes on the ground. That is one case in which it would have been wholly impracti- cable to make a personal inspection. Another instance was that of the photographing of watermelons in Georgia. In that case we illustrated from a photograph taken on the spot. Of course in hundreds of cases it would be impossible to produce the tlower or fruit before the committee and to have the members criticise the actual thing itself. As to the second and third recommendations, I think the}' may be practicable, but I repeat that in my judgment the first is utterly imprac- ticable. Mr. J. D. Raynolds. Mr. President, the suggestion was not that the entire Executive Committee should be required to see the specimen, but that any three of them should see it; and the opportunity is given to produce that specimen before any three members at any time within the entire year. It may be that the three members may be brought together for the purpose ; if not, they may be applied to separately. All that is required is that any three members shall certify that they have examined the specimen. Xow, if a specimen flower or specimen fruit can readily be produced for purposes of illustration, it should be possible to produce it with equal facility for purposes of comparison with that illustration. [Applause.] There is a suspicion that very often illustrations are made without the persons who make them seeing the tiower or the fruit which those illustrations purport to represent. [Applause.] I do not assert that that is the fact, but I have heard intimations to that effect. I sug- gest that it would be pretty good evidence that it was not the fact if, when a question was raised in regard to it, the committee could testify that three of the members had actually seen the flower in question and that the illustration of it was true to Nature. [Renewed applause.] Mr. John Thorpe. Mr. President, we all like to tell the truth as far as we can — at least I do. [Merriment.] On the 10th of Januarj' this year, a gentleman bought a package of Giant Rocca onion seed, in a store in New York. The retail price of it was 2s. (kl., English money, (equivalent to about seventy-five cents,) and there was not more than an eighth of an ounce in the package. I was interested in this onion because of the representations which had been made as to onions weigh- ing a pound and a half. That gentleman gave me half of the package of seed. He took great care of his crop and the result was that six of his onions weighed nearly seven pounds. On the other hand, the onions raised by myself from the same seed, but which I have not taken any special care of, are to-day not larger than a quarter of a dollar. This SOCIETY OF AMEUICAN FLORIST.s. 25 was simply because of neglect on my part. I mention the instance to show what may be done by cultivation. Now, if you were going to illus- trate Giant Rocca onions, would you take as specimens my onions, which are of about the size of a quarter of a dollar, or would you •take those which weigh a pound and a quarter? There are some things in regard to which we must make allow- ances. I believe that the main cause of the trouble is not that the catalogue makers of this country wish to exaggerate but that they take the best specimens for their illustrations. I contend that it is their right to do this. If 5'ou were engaged in a horse-race and had two thorough- breds, one that could go a mile in 1:40 and another that could not go a mile in less than 2:70, which would you start? [Laughter and applause.] Mr. Raynolds. I only desire to ask Mr. Thorpe one question — whether he does not frequently observe, in catalogues, illustrations of specimens that are simply magnificent and much finer than could possibly, under any circumstances, be produced from the seed. It is those that we want to cut out. We are willing that growers shall pro- duce the very finest specimens that the}' can produce; and if in their illustrations they do not exceed the finest they have jjroduced, we will not complain. Mr. Thorpe. The gentleman's question is a very hard one for me to answer. I never believed until the 10th of January that an onion weighing a pound and a half could be produced. Mr. Raynolds. Seeing is believing. What we want is to see the thing itself. Mr. William Rouikson, of Boston. I am very glad to be able to say a word in support of Mr. Raynold's report. I saw Ampelopsis Veitchii when it was first introduced into England from Japan, but I failed to recognize it in a plate which purported to represent it in one of the American catalogues. I concur in all that has been said as to the necessity of taking some action to [do away with these chromos, these pantomimes. [Laughter.] Mr. Grant, of Chicago. It seems to me that some of the gentlemen who have spoken do not sufficiently appreciate the advantage over these rascals which the enforcement of a rule such as the one proposed would give us. If the plant of a member is correctly produced in his represen- tation of it, what a grand advantage it is to this Society to have that mem- ber step up and declare that that representation is correct. Let him share in that advantage. Those who are unable to receive any benefit in that way because of their flaming " sunsets " will be the only sufferers. Mr. Mendenh all's motion was adopted. OBITUARY NOTICES. The President. The chair has been requested to appoint a commit- tee to prepare a report upon the notices of the deaths of members, which have been read. He has therefore constituted the following as a com- 26 PROCEEDIXGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. mitte on obituary notices: Messrs. James Hendrick, .J. H. Dunlap. and E. Asmus. THE president's ADDRESS. The President announced as the next order of business on the pro- gramme, a discussion of the President's address — Vice-President Jordan meanwhile occupying the chair. Mr. M. H. XORTOX, of Boston. The address was so thorough and complete and of such general scope that I suggest the propriety of mak- ing a formal acknowledgment of its value by a vote of thanks from the Society. Mr. James Hendrick. "Would it not be well to take up the address by sections? It appears to me that if contains many suggestions worthy of our careful consideration. Among the more important of these and first in order is the suggestion in regard to advancing and elevating our busi- ness. Upon that point the President very pertinently remarks, "■ It means, my fellow-members, higher art, broader views, honorable and strict integrity in all our dealings; and I know of no better means of advancing our calling to this plane than by the education of 5'oung men." That part of the address I cordially endorse. Indeed I have the same observation to make in regard to the whole of the address. I therefore move, as stating the sense of this meeting, that the sug- gestion concerning the education of the young men to take our places and the other features of the address, all of which are distinguished by broad views and extensive knowledge, are iiighly approved by this Society. Mr. CiiAS. F. Evans, of Philadelphia. As many of the topics treated of in the admirable address of President May have been under consideration by committees to whom they have been specially assigned, and as those subjects will again be brought to our attention in the reports to be presented by those committees, I suggest the propriety of postponing discussion upon them until the committee reports are pre- sented, when they may be considered more fully than they can be if taken up at this time. The first of these subjects, in the order in which they are presented in the President's address, that of the Elevation of our Business, is the theme upon which (as stated in the programme) a paper is tQ be read by Mr. Robert Craig. That gentleman will doubtless give us some ideas in addition to those set forth by our President and the sub- ject can then be discussed upon a broader plane than as now presented. Upon the next topic in the President's address, that of Education, we are to have an essay from Mr. Battles, which will broaden the tield of thought upon that subject. The next theme, that of Public Exhibitions, is treated of in an article to be submitted b}'^ Mr. Lonsdale. Other topics to which our attention is directed, particularly those in regard to Busi- ness, Horticultural Press, and Xew Seedlings, could perhaps be discussed at this time very profitably. The question of Nomenclature might be passed over for the present, as there is a committee to report upon it. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. i- ^ The question of a National Flower might also be left, because we have a (jommittee upon that, of which I believe Mr. Craig is Chairman, and from which no report has yet been made. The remainder of the subjects could be discussed with much interest at this time by any of the mem- bers who have looked over them. Mr. E. G. Hill, of Bichmond, Ind. In regard to one of the sub- jects, that of Education, I have this to say. I had not supposed, after what was contained in the President's address last year and what was said in the discussion on that address, that much was left that would be worthy of Mr. May's notice. You will all remember how thoroughly Mr. Henderson disposed of the President's address of last year. I want to improve this opportunity to set myself right concerning the position I then assumed. In what I said on the subject last year, I had no thought of divorcing a theoretical or scientific education from a practical educa- tion. I took it for granted that every son of a florist or every young man in our employ who is educated to the business should have, before he went to the training school, the benefit of having been brought up in a greenhouse or in personal contact with plants. luT had no other thought in my mind. In regard to the establishment of a school such as I advo- cated at that time, I had in my mind and I believe I stated it very plainly, that it was to be a school for culture, in connection with scientific traii:i- ing, in which plants would be grown and where hybridizing and all man- ner of things of that kind could be carried on. Now, I do not suppose that any florist of standing will rise here and say that a limited scientific education combined with the practical knowl- edge gained in a greenhouse or by working with plants would be a detri- ment to any young man. If any member here is disposed to make a dec- laration such as that, I would like to see him. I'think that Mr. Hender- son misapprehended the meaning and intent of what was said on that point in the President's address, last year, and that to a limited extent Mr. May has fallen into a like error this year. Mr. Peter Henderson. I would entirely agree with Mr. Hill on the question if I believed that we could have a school which would be practical, but it seems that we are unable to get such a school. I have had associated with me not less than three graduates of different agricul- tural colleges and I am compelled to say that they showed less aptitude or practical qualification for the business, notwithstanding their gradua- tion after three or four years, than did a boy who had received but six month's training. [Applause.] The fault was not in the system but it was in the heads of the system. I say that if we could get practical men at the helm there would be no diti3culty, but we do not get them. About five years ago I had occasion to send to one of these agricul- tural colleges a man who, in my judgment, was one of the best practical gardeners then in the United States. He was expected to lecture and to take general charge at the institution. After being there for two or three months he was deposed because, being a German, he iDrobably 28 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COyVEXTION. could not as readily express himself in English as could the Professor who succeeded him. I repeat that if we could have the system placed under practical heads I would probably agree with Mr. Hill and Mr. May in the views they have expressed, but I do not know of a single case in the United States to-day where the head Qr principal in charge is a man of practical experience or one who has dug in the soil from boyhood. [Applause.] Mr. Hill. I do not think there is a place in existence to-day where our young men can receive a scientific education that will apply directly to our business. But the idea sought to be conveyed in my address last year, (and which is also conveyed by the address of President May, to wliich I have listened this year,) is that we have in our profession men with brains enough to create a school of that kind. I say to this Conven- tion, now I believe that a thing of that kind will come to pass; audi believe that it will come in Mr. Henderson's day. I think that if we would set our shoulders to the wheel and would evince a live, keen, thorough interest in the matter, we would have a sum of money voted by the Congress of the United States to help us start and establish a school such as that. Now, I do not think any one will say that the training given in Kew Gardens, England, will be a detriment to any young man who follows the florist's business. When going over the grounds of that institution a few weeks ago, the wish in my heart was that I could have had an opportunity to spend a few years of my life there. I realized what an advantage that would have been to me, as it would have been to any young man engaged in our calling. [Applause.] Mr. H. A. SiEBRECHT. Three years ago, in Philadelphia, I called attention to the subject. 1 now fully agree with Mr. Hill in the position taken by him in regard to it. I have always held that we must be prac- tical as well as theoretical; that is, that we must have actual experience, that study alone or going to college alone will not give us the education we need for our business. 1 would have a boy, after leaving school, apply himself to the business for two or three years. AVhen he has learned all that it is possible for him to learn in one place and is entitled, in the opinion of his employer, to some advancement, let him go to another place, where he can have greater opportunity for increasing his stock of practical knowledge. Meanwhile he should continue his reading and his study of the theoretical part of the business. Finally, after hav- ing acquired considerable pratical experience, he should be permitted either to enter an agricultural school or to go before a faculty. If we have no greenhouses or grounds specially set apart for the purpose, in which a young man can demonstrate his aptitude and qualifications as a position for this reason. We are represented here annually by the best men in our profession throughout the United States and, as we have reason to know, the rascals stay at home and do not meet with us. It seems to me that we should give those who are engaged in commercial business the support which this committee recommends and I hope that the matter will not be laid on the table, but that some more decisive action will be taken upon it. Mr. C. B. VVniTNALL. I move that the Committee on Dishonest Dealers be requested to appoint an hour to-morrow at which all members interested can meet here and organize a branch of this Society, as pro- posed by the committee. Mr. J. C. Vaughan (the chairman of the committee). Mr. Presi- dent, the time of the members of the committee is so fully occupied upon business of the Convention that I am unable, at this moment, to fix an hour for a meeting to-morrow. I wish to add a brief statement to what has been said by Mr. Hunt for the information of those who underrate tlie importance of some meas- ure of self-protection to members generally. I call to mind a case in point in which an Illinois florist of moderate means, having a surplus of flowers, accepted orders from a cut-flower dealer in Cincinnati, simply on the strength of having seen the name of that dealer in the Ainericayi SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 63 Florist^ and thereby suffered a loss of SlOO or more. 1 think that nearly «very member here will be advantaged by the movement which the com- mittee has suggested. Mr. John N. May, of Summit, N. J. When the original motion on this subject was made, it struck me as the key-note of a reform which would prove of more value to this Society than any that had been con- templated, and I hoped at that time that some gentleman would immedi- ately rise and propose action looking to the formation of a protective society. Some of the members here may not appreciate this movement as full}' as do those of us who are carrying on a wholesale business, but I assure them that it is equally to their interest to forward the motion. We are losing hundreds of dollars through these unscrupulous individuals whom we occasionally meet, and if you, as honorable men, knew of their doings and of the de.vices to which they resort to avoid paying their bills and meeting their just obligations, you would realize that it was to your interest to aid this committee. Mr. Grant, of Chicago. One point which would naturally appeal very strongly to members present who may not be wholesale dealers has apparently been overlooked by the speakers here. The plan of self-pro- tection now proposed will, in my opinion, be of great value to the retail dealer in protecting him from unjust competition by a class of men who, on the strength of a great deal of credit, sell goods cheaply, cut the mar- ket down and in that way take the bread out of the mouths of their hon- est competitors. I think that that is the way in which we should look at and vote upon this matter. Mr. Frank Huntsman, of Cincinnati. As a retailer I think that all retailers should be heartily in sympathy with this movement as a means of protection for the retailers as well as for the wholesalers. I do not wholesale; I buy from the various gentlemen who are getting up this protective department; and I hope the matter will be pushed through vigorously. Mr. J. C. Vaughan. I would like to add to what I have already said that the person to whom I referred, in liiy previous remarks, and who pays nobody, is a competitor of Mr. Huntsman, who does pay his bills. Mr. J. D. Carmody, of Evansville, Ind. Mr; President, being the author of the resolution, I felt rather depressed, in the opening of the discussion, because of the apparent want of interest in the subject, but I see that the members are getting wakened up to the merits of the case, and it is gratifying to me to find that they are beginning to realize the position in which they are placed every day in being victimized by the scoundrels of whom complaint is made. My object in introducing the resolution was not to benefit the large wholesale dealers, the most of whom have grown quite wealthy in the business and are able to lose occasionally a few hundred dollars, but it was to benefit the small men who, like myself, have only a few hundred feet of glass. Although a 64 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONYENTIOX. small dealer, 1 have been victimized to a considerable extent several times and have had to come in competition with the very same men who had wronged me and who were engaged in victimizing others. Xow you, small dealers, are just as much and in fact more inter- ested in this than are the large dealers because you cannot afford to risk what you lose. Kemember that this is a matter that reaches the pocket of every one of you — and when a man's pocket is touched we ought to have him with us. Every one of you who desires to protect himself from these frauds should meet here, at the time appointed, and help to estab- lish some sort of a system whereby self-protection may be made effective. [Applause.] Mr. Peter Henderson. There is one point suggested by the remarks of Mr. Yaughan to which I desire to add a word. I refer to rt'hat that gentleman has said about a dealer sending flowers to a party about whom he knew nothing. No man has a right to ask another to give him credit, if he is unknown, unless he furnishes references. I had an experience, about ten years ago, in the case of a man who came to me and bought about SloO worth of stock. He paid part of the bill and paid the other part at the time he said he would, and of course I came to the conclusion that he was an upright and honest man. But I afterwards found that this man went among nurserymen in Pennsylvania, obtained from them a quantity of goods, gave them my name as his reference, and in that manner obtained credit. Then I began to receive inquiries about him and, of course, replied with a statement of the case and the expression of my opinion that he was good for a small amount. By the beginning of the season 1 found that I was getting four or five letters per day in regaixl to the man, and I then began to see through his game. He knew enough of human nature to know that probably not one man in five would take the trouble to look up the reference he had given and mean- while he was obtaining his supplies. This is a point of some importance in the consideration of this matter and I hope it will not be overlooked. Mr. E. G. Hill. There is another side to this case. Our brethren across the Atlantic have been seriously victimized by dishonest persons in our business on this side, so nuich so that unless an American tlorist can furnish proof that he is all right he cannot get credit over there. I think we ought to move to protect our profession and to maintain its standing by the formation of a society such as is contemplated. [Applause.) The President (after an informal conference on the subject) announced that the meeting to organize the Protective Association would be convened at three o'clock, p.m., this day, and invited all persons interested to attend it. EDUCATION. The President announced, as the next item of business, the read- ing of an essay on Education, which had been pi-epare'd by Mr. H. H. Battles, of Philadelphia. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 65 The essay, by the request of its author, was read by Mr. Chas. F. Evans, of Philadelphia. It was as follows : In offering this essay, I must ask the indulgence of the older and wiser members of this Society. If I can so stimulate some of the young members, that they may realize the importance of self-culture and of training their faculties in the proper channels that they may lead more useful and happier lives, I shall consider myself most fortunate. It has been said that "Instruction and breeding are to education as parts to a whole. Instruction respects the communication of knowledge, and breeding respects the manners or outward conduct; but education comprehends not only both of these, but the formation of the mind, the regulation of the heart, and the establishment of the principles. Good instruction makes one wiser; good breeding makes one more polished and agreeable; good education makes one really good. "Want ■of education will always be the injury, if not the ruin of the sufferer. A want of instruction is of more or less inconvenience, according to circumstances; a want of breeding only unfits a man for the society of the cultivated. Education belongs to the period of childhood and youth; instruction may be given at different ages; good breeding is best learned in the early part of life." I think that it was Oliver Wendell Holmes, Who when asked the best time to commence to educate a child, very aptly replied, "one hundred years before it is born." Unfortunately some of our ancestors did not appreciate this fact, and because of their oversight we see constantly around us, and even in our business, men who seem to work by instinct, knowing that the}- are obliged to work to live, — plod, plod, all their lives. It is often the case that these same men are the first to express posi- tive opinions; there is apparently no subject too obstruce for them; ques- tions that have been unanswered for centuries, the}- will settle to their own satisfaction with a few words. Happy is the man who can some day wake up to the fact that he has a great deal to learn; that he really does not know it all, and in fact realizes that he knows very little. Then is the time, even if his education did not commence one hundred years ago, that there is hope for him. He feels like a different person, his imagination is excited, his whole being stimulated, and he is anxious to know something of this wonderful world on which he finds himself, and of the brilliant men that have lived before him. For this knowledge, in all meekness he goes to books, and what a new world they open to him — he is surprised that this or that author had the same thoughts that have gone through his clouded mind, with him they have been for years noth- ing but seeds, yet how naturally they have developed into fruit under the treatment of an educated mind. There is no class of men who realize more fully what cultivation will do for the vefjetable kinijdom than we florists. 66 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVEXTION. Let us then devote more time to cultivating our minds, that we may get more good out of life, and when old age does overtake us (having health) we can enjoy that repose which is sure to come with an educated mind. To lead successful lives we must discipline our minds and bodies. Health is the first thing to be considered; without it we are a burden to ourselves, and a source of anxiety to our friends; with it we can carry our friend's burdens, our minds being clear and active stimulates us in the exercise of our daily duties; with strong healthy bodies we can do more and better work. Harper Bros., of New York, publish two excellent books on the sub- ject, by William Blaikie, "Kow to get strong," and "Sound bodies for our Boys and Girls." In the preface of one he sa3s: ''Millions of our people pass their lives in cities and towns and at work which keeps them indoors all day. Many hours are devoted, for days and years, under careful teachers, and many millions of dollars are spent anually, in educating the mind and moral nature, but the body is allowed to grow up all uneducated; indeed, often such a weak, shaky affair that it gels easily out of order, especially in middle and later life, and its owner is wholly unequal to tasks which would have proved easy to him, had he given it even a tithe of the edu- cation bestowed so generously in other directions. Not a few, to be sure,, have the advantage in youth, of years of active outdoor life on a farm, and so lay up a vigor which stands them in good stead throughout a life time. But many, and especially those born and reared in towns and cities, have had no such training, or any equivalent, and so never have the developed lungs and muscles, the strong heart and vigorous digestion — in short, the improved tone and strength in all their vital organs, which any sensible plan of body culture, followed up daily, would have secured. It does not matter so mubh whether we get vigor on the farm, the deck, the tow-path, or in the gymnasium, if we only get it. Fortunately, if not gotten in youth when we are plastic and easily shaped, it may still be had, even far on in middle life, by judicious and systematic exercise, aimed first to bring up the weak and unused parts, and then by general work daily which shall maintain the equal development of the whole." Secondly, we should cultivate the faculties which secure the necessi- ties of life, — the faculties tliat make us useful in our business. Much could be said on the subject of choosing our occupation in life. Too often it is done carelessly — many a good blacksmith has been spoiled by making him a poor doctor, simply because of a lack of judg- ment. How carefully the boy's character should be studied before deciding what occupation he should follow; once chosen his energies should be directed in that channel, study every means to perfect him in that branch, and with health and constant application, success will follow. Xo amount of book learning will excuse a man for not being self- SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 67 supporting. If he consumes and does not produce, he is to societ}' what black spot is to our roses. Having health and means to maintain a home, his next duty is to study how to educate his children. Too often parents are so wrapped up in their business and selfish desires that their children pick up what knowledge they can — in school and on the street — and when the child grows up, they are surprised that he is so anxious to leave home, and that he has developed this taste, or that taste, not realizing that it was in their power, to a very great extent to guide that child's life in the proper channel. Dickens gives us an excellent example of misapplied energy, in the character of Mrs. Jelleby, a womanivho devotes all her time to the in- habitants of Borrioboola-Gha, at the expense of her own family. Another story of Dickens' that I have lately re-read, with pleasure, and I hope protit, is "Hard Times," a powerful lesson in life. Thirdly, social and political relations demand our attention. Our lives depend, to such a great extent, upon those with whom we associate, that our friends should be most carefully chosen. The word, "Friendship" is so often abused that it is well to realize its full meaning. The knowledge and fulfillment of political duties teaches us to be good citizens. After giving our attention to health, business, family, society and politics, we should devote our attention to recreation,— the gratification of our tastes and desires. It is well "to know how wisely to lose time." In sepai'ating these duties it must be borne in mind that they are but links to a chain, all depending on each other, and all necessary to a happy and successful life. Health, or self-preservation, naturally considered first, as it is neces- sary to have this that we may fulfill our other duties. Then again, we must have means by which we can live and support our family and become good citizens. All men, with but few exceptions, are employed in producing, pre- paring and distributing commodities; and it is for the purpose of study- ing the best methods of producing, preparing and distributing seeds, plants and flowers that these Conventions are held. I will not take time to discuss business methods here: The Execu- tive Committee have presented so many practical questions, and such able men will answer them, that what I could say would be superfluous. I am glad to note an awaking interest in the question of color. Knowledge on this subject is absolutely necessary to the successful arrangement of plants and flowers. I note also that the landscape gardener is devoting less time in con- structing poorly shaped animals out of plants, and the retail florist is making fewer doves out of flowers, which shows progress in these two branches. The Florists' Clubs, as auxiliaries to the national Convention, are doing much good, but are capable of much more. 68 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. I would earnestly advise the members of such clubs to establish libraries, using the greatest care in selecting the proper literature, sub- scribing for the best trade papers, for the monthly magazines — a class of literature that has greatly improved in the last few years. If daily papers are put on the club tables, let them be the best : those that con- tain the shortest account of crime, and the least amount of scandal. Our faith in human nature is none too strong, that we can afford to have it constantly lessened by reading the minutest detail of the vilest crimes. Petrarch, in speaking of books, said: " I have friends whose society is extremely agreeable to me. They are of all ages, and of ever}' country. They have distinguished themselves both in the cabinet and in the field, and obtained high honors in their knowledge of the sciences. It is easy to gain access to them, for they are always at my service, and I admit them to my compan}* and dismiss them from it whenever I please. They are never troublesome, but immediately answer every question I put to them. Some relate to me the events of past ages, while others reveal to me the secrets of nature. Some teach me how to live, others, how to die. Some by their vivacity drive away my cares and exhilarate my spirits, while others give fortitude to my mind, and leach me the important lesson how to restrain my desires and depend wholly on myself. They open to me, in short, the various avenues of all the arts and sciences, and upon their information I safel}' rely in all emergencies. In return for these services they only ask me to accommodate them with a convenient chamber in some corner of my humble habitation, where they may repose in peace, for these friends are more delighted by tran- quility of retirement than with the tumult of society." This, gentlemen, was said over five hundred years ago. Think for a moment of the knowledge that has accumulated since then ; how many generations of men have lived and laid the products of their labor n.t our feet. Lord Macaulay, in 182.5, said: " Any intelligent man may now, by resoluteh' applying himself for a few years to mathematics, learn more than the great Newton knew, after half a century of study and meditation.'' Do we realize our advantages and make the best of our opportunities ? I wish, gentlemen, that this Convention could in some way stimulate the Florists' Clubs, that they might add a library to their possessions. The knowledge that individuals would gain j;h rough this medium would reflect credit on the whole trade. How interesting it would be to note what different clubs would select; what a source of profitable conversa- tion is offered when you, friends, have read this book, or that book, in which you have been interested. I trust that some gentleman with more ability and power than I possess will say something on this subject that will lead the Clubs to think well of these suggestions, that in an early number of " The SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 69 American Florist " we may see an account of the first Club to start a library. Which city shall it be ? The President. The very able paper to which we have just listened is now open for discussion. Mr. G. L. Grant, of Chicago. The essay, which is one that I appreciate most thoroughly, is so entirely complete in itself that, for that reason, and in view of the near approach of the hour for adjournment, I do not see how we can discuss it in a way to do justice to it. 1 suggest that the best way in which we can express our appreciation of it is by a vote of thanks to its author, which I have no doubt will be doubly unanimous. I therefore move, that this Society extbnfl most heartily a vote of thanks to Mr. Battles for the time 'and labor expended by him in the preparation of his exceedingly valuable and excellent paper. Mr. Grant's motion was adopted, with general applause. The Convention then adjourned until evening. SECOND DAY — EVENING. AN EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN. The session opened with the reading of an essay on " The Establish- ment of an Experimental Garden,'" by Mr. John Thorpe, of Pearl River, New York. The essay was as follows: To the Society of American Florists: The necessity of an Experi- mental Garden is beyond question ; in fact it is of the utmost importance that one be established at as early a date as possible. Let us see what there is to be done in an experimental garden. There testing of all species and varieties of plants which are important to our business could be made. The comparison of all florists' flower seeds. The testing of all new appliances. The testing of insecticides. Experiments with fertilizers, bone, and other concentrated manures, so as to intelligently advise which are the best. In fact, there would be no end to the work to be done from year to year. Y'our Committee on Nomenclature has not yet been able to reach any satisfactory results, from the very fact of their not having a station to conduct their work. How to get an experimental garden of sufficient size to be of good service is a most serious matter at this moment. It would seem that there should be no difficulty in obtaining an appropriation from Congress of a sufficient sum each year to carry on the work. 70 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. It can be easily shown of Low much importance our business is, "and how much capital there is invested in the different branches of floral horticulture. In view of this fact, I would recommend that a committee be appointed to ascertain what can be done toward obtaining a fund from Congress for this purpose. As to the size and equipment of an experimental garden. It should be several acres in extent (say from five to twelve). It should be equipped with the best appliances in the way of buildings, apparatus, and material. It should have at its head a man of integrity, ability, enthusiasm, and experience. The cost of such a garden as I have in view would, to begin with, be not less than from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars. The cost of maintenance from year to year would, in all probability, be from seven to ten thousand dollars. It would be useless for me to go into the details of management of an experimental garden at present, but I believe it would save thousands upon thousands of dollars each year to the florists at large. Tests and experiments would be made of all novelties, whether in seeds or plants, and man}' worthless things would be shut out forever, instead of breaking out like a pestilence all over the country, absorbing money, time, labor, and room, to be ultimately cast out as worthless. This afternoon, one of the committees on awards for exhibits had a great deal to contend with, and encountered a difficulty Avhich has not "been overcome, in relation to the grand exhibit of boilers in the exhibit- ion rooms. It is impossible for a committee, upon a mere cursory glance, to do justice to a particular boiler in an exhibit such as that. If we had an C'Xiierimental garden, all boilers could be put to the test, all apparatus <;ould be tried, and the best could win. [Applause.] The President announced that the subject was open for discussion. Mr. Peter Henderson. If any practical result is to be reached in this matter, it will be because the undertaking is not cofined to any one section of the countr}'. If it is confined, for instance, to Xew York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, there would be local influence brought to bear that would in all jirobability, defeat the whole object in view; whereas, if it is national and under good management, there would be no reason for sectional preferences. It seems to me that Congress could well afford to appropriate not only S.30,000, as Mr. Thorpe suggests, but ten times that amount. The interest to be promoted is not only that of floriculture but that of horticulture in its broadest sense. From the nature of my business I have come in contact, not only with florists, but with growers of fruits and vegetables, whose interest in those products is vastly more extensive than their interest in flowers, and I well know the disadvantages under which the market gardeners and fruit growers labor by having thrust upon them untested and untried varieties. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 71 Mr. H. A. BuNYARD, of Short Hills, N. J. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: Having had several years' experience in the Experi- mental Gardens at Cheswick, I have taken the liberty of supplementing the able and practical paper of Mr. John Thorpe, to give you a faint outline of the working of that noble and gardener-loved institution. Our great- est horticultural lights were raised there: the majority of the editors of the gardening press were raised there; and I myself stand as a meagre off-shoot of that hot bed of horticulture. That an experimental garden, on the lines of the one at Cheswick, would prove of incalculable value to all of those interested in horticulture, cannot for one moment be doubted, but whether it would be necessary to have one in the center of the Union, or at equal distances from the four points of the compass, is a mat- ter for discussion. That it should be of easy access by rail, is of the utmost importance. Such a garden would be the means of grace, by which the florist would be brought to know and associate with the novelties of the day. It would also checkmate all introducers of surreptitious novelties and prove a stepping-stone to all those who introduce new plants, fruits and vegetables for profit or jjleasure. It is just eighty years ago when the Royal Charter was granted by George III. to several prominent horticulturists for the improvement of horticulture, in all its branches, ornamental as well as useful. Ever since that time, this great work has been going on, — the cultivation of such fruits, plants and vegetables as it might be expedient to draw the particular attention of the fellows to at the moment, the trial of new sorts, side by side with established varieties, the experimenting in the culture and treat- ment of plants which have gardening as distinguished from a purely scien- tific value and interest, and the trial of horticultural appliances and materials of every description, the testing of manure and soils, and last but not least, the thorough practical education of the young gardener for the natural pursuit which our earliest forefathers must have fol- lowed. Such are the main objects the society strives to attain, and does attain. As a double advantage to fellows, they are entitled to tlfteen and" thirty plants per .year, which is termed distribution; the plants are from two-inch pots, and include stove, greenhouse and hai'dy, — but are not necessarily new. The different methods or systems of pruning and training trees is illustrated, experiments are also made in grafting and budding the differ- ent stocks. Fruit, plant and vegetable congresses are also held, the classifi- cation and true nomenclature determined, and the results are from there compiled. I may also say here, that a journal of the proceedings in the Gardens is published monthly. Bi-monthly meetings are held at the Gardens, or in the city of London, where new and rare introductions are sent before their respective com- mittees: certificates of merit are awarded, a first class is the highest. 72 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. and only genuine novelties receive it, and without such it sinks into oblivion, groups of plants, collections of fi'uits and vegetables not for competition are invited, to which medals are adjudicated. In conjunction with this, a show of seasonable productions for competition is held, and a paper on some popular class read. Another and useful institution is the Mutual Improvement Association, formed in the Gardens, for the prac- tical and theoretical education of the young gardeners, not onh' in Ches- wick gardens but any who care to become associates, at the meetings of which papers by prominent horticulturists, and the gardeners themselves^ are read. The librar}^ in connection, named after Professor Lindley, is- one of the finest in England. A. S. Barron is the able and energetic superintendent. The President invited further discussion. Mr. KxAPPER, of the Michigan Agricultural College, said he re- garded the subject as one of the utmost importance. He suggested that benefit would probably be found in the establishment of botanical gar- dens in connection with the experimental garden stations, and that laud for the purpose should be given by Congress. Mr. Mendexhall, of Minneapolis, expressed the opinion that the five acres suggested b}" Mr. Thorpe for an exjierimental garden would be too small an area for the purpose, and that the amount of money named by that gentleman was also too small. Mr. Walker, of Louisville, remarked that if the Society could get one large garden, well equipped, this would be all it should ask for at first. If successful in getting that much, it could make an effort later to secure whatever additional facilities might be required. Mr. G. L. Grant, of Chicago. There can be no doubt that we want to have an experimental garden, and the only question seems to be as to how we are going to get it. Let us declare that we want to have an ex- perimental garden, and then let us follow that up by declaring that we are going to have it. It only remains for us to make an effort to get it^ and to see that we begin our efforts in the right direction. Mr. J. M. Ward, of Peabody, Mass., remarked that he thought it would be impossible to secure such a location for an experimental garden as would be suitable for the diversified products of all sections of the United States. In illustration of his meaning, he referred to the stunted growth of the chestnut trees of Baltimore, as compared with the luxu- riant specimens of the same tree in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. He remarked that it was not generally supposed that a variation ia growth such as this would exist in a tree like the horse-chestnut, and he thought the fact might be taken to show the very great diversity in the growth of plants raised in different localities in this country. He said, that trees which in Buffalo might be said to be little better than wild shrubs were to be found in other parts of the country in a condition of the most luxuriant development. The dift"erent conditions of climate. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 73 temperature, etc., and the fact that a garden of sutficient size could not be procured, were difficulties which, the speaker thought, could not readily be surmounted. The discussion here closed, and on motion of Mr. G-. L. Grant, a committee was authorized to be appointed by the chair, agreeably to the suggestions advanced by Mr. Thorpe in his essay. THE QUESTION BOX. The ^President here took up the programme for the morning ses- sion, and announced the following as the tirst question for consideration: "What are the necessary qualifications for properly filling the fol- lowing situations? 1. Grower in commercial greenhouses. 2. Head gardener on a private estate. 3. Florist in a public institution. 4. Superintendent of public parks and grounds." Mr. Peter Henderson (who had been deputed to' reply), read the following response : To the first question as to the requirements of a manager of an American florist's establishment, where plants are grown for market or local retail trade, together with cut flowers for winter and summer: this requires a knowledge that should be acquired in an American establish- ment; the varieties of plants grown, together with the methods of grow- ing, are so distinct from those of Europe that three years of experience here would better fit a man for the work than ten years of European experience. Not only has the difference of climate to be taken into account, but much of the European experience is not onW useless but worse than useless, because it has to be unlearned. The grower in com- mercial establishments, to be successful, must -liave originality and fertility. No mere imitator in any business can ever become eminent in business. One of the most successful foremen I ever had was a young- man that I took from the ranks of my market garden laborers; when I installed him in charge of my greenhouse department he did not know a verbena from a heliotrope, of course he had to be instructed in everj^- thing, but his application was such that in two years he was a more val- uable man than the one he succeeded, who had had a European training and had some five years American experience! The one man did his own thinking; the other was a mere routine man that never got out of old ruts. In this connection I may mention the case of one florist well known to a number here present, to show that long special training is not necessary to success. James Park, who began the business of a florist in the ciiy of Brooklyn, L. I., in 18C0. Until twenty-five years of age he had worked as a leather dresser, and was entirely ignorant of any kind of florist's work, yet he retired on a fortune of upwards of .§100,000, made entirely from the profits of his business as a florist, which had been begun on a capital of less than 83,000 only fifteen years before. He was not only a maker up of flowers, but grew flowers and plants, and well he 74 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. grew them too, or he never would have attained such excellent results, which, as far as I know, have never been equalled in the same time by any other florist in this country. Mr. Park was a man of quick percep- tions and strong common sense, an indefatigable worker, yet no mere garden grubber, for he found time even when in business to engage in literar}' work on political economy and other subjects, and is now an accredited writer in some of the most prominent magazines of Eui'ope. He is really one of the men of which our craft may Avell feel proud even for his short sojourn among us. The second subject: The qualifi.cations for a head gardener in a pri- vate place. Here a European training for the best results is perhaps an advantage, for here is wanted an all-around man. He must know horti- culture from A to Z, if his charge is a large one. His knowledge must embrace fruit, flowers and vegetables, the care of lawns, roads, etc. He must be patient and long suffering, and endure often censure for failures brought about by natural causes, which all his skill is helpless to control, and that too, in a vast majority of cases, for no more compensation than that paid to a coachman or groom. The private gardener, considering his long training, his education, intelligence, and the heavy responsibili- ties often placed upon him, is, and ever has been, one of the poorest paid men, and it is not to be wondered at that the best of them soon drift into other occupations where their capabilities are better appreciated. Third: The qualifications for a florist in public institutions. Fourjh: Superintendent of parks and public grounds. They come almost under the same catagory. Here we come to the highest order of horticultural work: for the superintendent of such, to acquit himself properly, must also be a landscape gardener as well. His knowledge must embrace drainage, the laying ovrt of roads and walks, lawns, and all the require- ments necessary for the first ground work of the park or grounds. He must be posted in the nomenclature of trees and shrubs, and their habits, so as to be able to group for the best results. He must be up in florist landscape work, so as to produce the best effects in massing. In short, the superintendent of a public park or institution must possess a knowledge that only years of experience in such work can give. I am glad to say that we have many notable examples in this countr}' that will attest that the superintendents in charge are masters of their work. The botanic gardens under Mr. Smith, the Agricultural Department under Mr. San- ders, the public parks and grounds under charge of Mr. Brown, the Lin- coln Park and South Park of Chicago, the Allegheny Park at Pittsburg, the Fairmount Park of Philadelphia, the City Parks of Boston, the Druid Hill and City Parks at Baltimore, and here the Buffalo Park, under Wm. McMillan, all show that the superintendents have done their work in a manner of which they ma}^ well feel proud. The great Central Park of Xew York and the Prospect of Brooklyn, as far as floral decorations were concerned, for many years were not such as deserved an)' commendation, but for the past three years, under the present management, they have SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. /O made rapid strides forward and are likely soou to assume the position that their prominence demands. The Pkesident announced the following as the next question: " Is the sale of tiowers in the streets of the large cities an injury to the gen- eral business of the stores?" Mr. Fraxk Huntsman, of Cincinnati, to whom the question had been referred, read the following response: From my own experience I would simijly answer, no; but this ques- tion evidently comes from some of the Eastern cities where the sale of flowers in the streets through the medium of the fakir seems to have assumed formidable proportions, and I feel the question merits a more careful consideration than a mere abstract opinion. In Cincinnati where the sale of tiowers in the streets is confined to the public market, 1 have often heard the market people complain of the competition of the stores, avering the stores were encroaching upon their trade, and with seeming justice, as flowers were sold in the markets long before there were any stores established. This recalls the old adage of two sides to a question, and we of the stores who have to a certain extent come into competition with the mar- ket people and divided trade with them, should not now complain if we, in our turn, are threatened by a new force. However, I cannot think there is any serious danger to be appre- hended by the stores from the sale of flowers either in the streets or on the market, and I base this opinion upon a series of personal obser- vations. Whenever from any cause flowers have been scarce on the market, and market buyers have been forced to come to the store, I have always found them the hardest customers I had to deal with; on the other hand when in going through the market I have observed some of ray best cus- tomers making purchases, here again was trouble, the common flowers not being appreciated, while the choice flowers, offered for less than their ■worth, were looked upon with suspicion, which tends to prove that there are different grades of customers in flowers just the same as in any other article of merchandise. Originally the flower-sellei's, few in number, sold only on the market; but after a time some of the more progressive ones having attracted to themselves regular customers who appreciated choice productions and were willing to pay for them, left the market, and the better to care for this increasing trade, established stores; but in so doing I claim they worked no harm to those who remained behind upon the market, as each section of trade represents a different class of buyers. And if we now have a class of people who prefer to buy tiowers on the street corner, vrhat the street corner dealer gains in catering to them will, I think, occasion no loss to the stores. to PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION.. As we have not had the genuine street fakir to deal with in Cincin- nati, my opinion may not seem of much value to those who have him with. them as an ever present reality, but in every city there are store- keepers whose methods are closely allied to those of the fakir, just as- there are others whose ideas and methods of business are such as to pre- clude any thought of harm from or competition with the street vender. To those who are occupying a neutral ground, I would suggest a decided change of position : either descend to the level of the fakir and fight him on fqual terms, or take a higher stand where his attacks will be comparatively harmless. In conclusion allow me to say, I believe there is ample room for all classes, market men, street venders and store-keepers, and for several grades in each class. At the same time, I desire to call attention to another phase of the question, namely, the practice among growers of selling to the cheap stores and street venders their over-production at reduced prices. If the street vender possesses any power to injure the stores, here i& the source of his strength; but this, I think, is a problem for the local societies and one not to be dealt with through the medium of the Ques- tion Box. The Pre-Sident announced as the next question on the list, the fol- lowing: " Is the practice of advancing prices of cut tlowers on special occasions injurious to the trade." The reply to the question was made by Mr. J. C. Vauoiiax, of Chicago, from whom a written response was received. The paper was read by Secretary Stewart. It was as follows: To answer in one word I should say, yes; but I hold that such changes ax'e based on so broad a foundation as the law of supply and demand, and being so based, I believe such fluctuations of the market will always exist. It must be that tlowers, like all other commodities when handled largely b}' business men, in business centei\s among live buyers, must go to those who will pay the most money. There has been a time when he who grew flowers for but one or two customers found such customers willing to take the whc^le supply at all times; this was the contract plan,, and with a fair and uniform rate the grower did not find it necessary to- urge an advance at the holidays to overcome heavy losses sustained in the dull season. Thus the retailer was able to maintain to his regular buyers his usual rates without loss to himself. This condition does not exist to any large extent now. The retailer at no time will accept more flowers than required for his probable daily needs, and the grower who does not send all his flowei's to a commission house must, at least at times, seek such an outlet. SOCIETY' OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 77 How then can the retailer, in justice, hold the grower to -uniform regular rates on occasion Avhen flowers are quick sale at three or five times usual prices? As for the commission man, the very foundation of his business lies in the fact that he is believed to seek the very highest ■offers for the wares consigned to him; while he may slightly vary his prices to his best customers at times, yet such exception only serves to prove the rule, namely, that such stock must find the highest bidder, or, in other words, the grower or commission dealer must maintain the high- est pj'ice at which he can expect to close out his supply. Such sales, in part, recompeiTse the grower who suffers heavy losses from flowers wasted on a glutted market. I will admit that through the cupidity of growers many flowers are thrown on the market on such occasions, which are too dear at any price — stale roses and half-grown buds, — and in this I see greater real cause for complaint than a fair advance in prices. The fact seems to be that the larger cities number among their population many persons of inde- pendent fortunes, well able and disposed to have all the luxuries which please the eye, delight the palate, or rejoice the mind, and this is the the class who bid for the finest productions of our hot-houses. Can then persons of moderate means expect or desire to meet such competition? They do not meet it in food, in wines, in furniture, or in dwellings, neither can they afford to use flowers on occasions of unusual demand. This practically shuts out trade entire!}' in towns where all buyers are people of moderate means. That such prices are injurious to the retail trade, in the sense that customers are disappointed, I admit, but I hardly think the same person will refuse to purchase on another occasion of the same kind when his means will permit it, provided the wise florist shall make the case fairly understood when he can. Will the housekeeper fail to buy a Christmas turkey because it is eighteen or twenty cents per pound? Perhaps so, but. not if she can afford it. Does she boycott turkey when it comes down to nine cents per pound? Seldom. There will be those who complain of high prices, but can they justly C(»raplain of an advance under such increased demand or severe condi- tions of weather? Not, I think, with all the logic of the world of com- merce against them. The youngest worker in a flower store can advance arguments like the above, which cannot fail to appeal to the calm reason of the customer when he reflects on the matter, and I hold that logic, reason, and custom, must hold successful sway in the sale of flowers as elsewhere. Certainly there is moderation in all things, and our leading retail florists well know that little, if any, proflt is to be made on such expen- sive stock; it is, and doubtless should be, retailed to regular customers at about cost, and, if possible, with the statement that such prices will hold only for a day or two at most. The caution I would suggest, finally, is that when advanced rates do /O PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVEKTION. prevail, quality should be maintained, and that second-class stock should be quoted separately to prevent dissatisfaction. The President. The next question is, "How can local clubs and the National Society best work together to promote their common interest." Mr. J. D. Rayxo'lds, of Riverside, 111., (the respondent), replied by reading the following paper : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen. If one were asked to detiue the object of associations like ours, and were required to do so in a single word he might, I think, cover the entire ground by replying ••Co- operation."' Our local clubs are organized because we believe co-operation among the individual members to be a good and a necessary thing. Our National Society is organized and kept together for the same reason, "We believe co-operation to be so good a thing that we want more of it, and are look- ing about to see if relations of nmtual assistance can not be established between the local clubs and the National Society. The fundamental idea of co-operation almost necessarily involves the accompanying idea of a community of interests, and when this does not exist to a consider- able extent there must be great difficulty in holding such organizations together. Now. in many ways it may be said that our interests are not in common; a city tlorist club usually has on its membership list a consider- able number of city dealers as well as growers, both commercial and amateur; in fact one might naturally suppose such a club would consist mainly of dealers, yet I believe it to be a fact that the regular attendants at meetings are mostly growers, and the retail florists are not infrequently heard to inquire discontentedly "of what use is a florist club to me, can I get any good out of it ? "' Similarly there has been heard on these floors on more than one occasion, the inquiring ''what beneflt can the retail florist get by joining the American Society ? " Where shall we look for an effective bond to unite these different interests ? In what direction can co-operation be most surely and satis- factorily established ? So far the most satisfactory common ground that has been discovered where all may meet, and all be benefited'alike, is on the floor of the exhibition halls. The desirability of devoting increased attention to exhibitions, both local and national has been repeatedly adverted to by our essayists. It is no new subject, and perhaps there is nothing that is new to be said on it, but what has been said will bear repetition; the matter is too impor- tant to be laid on the table, it must be harpetl on and repeated again and again, until words bear fruit in deeds, and we have an established system of exhibitions that shall be a credit alike to our national and our local or- ganizations, and a benefit to all concerned. If the giving of exhibitions is the most effective bond between the members of a local club, so also SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS 79 it seems to be the most promising field for co-operation between the local clubs and the National Society. The idea which has suggested itself to me is perhaps Utopian, but it seems to me to be at least worthy of some consideration before being rejected as impracticable. It is simply this, that the local clubs in our larger cities be organized, where tkey so desire, into branches of the S. A. F., accredited with certain delegated authority, and subject to certain supervision by the central executive committee. Let these clubs be authorized when giving exhibitions, to announce them as given under the auspices of the S. A. F., and to offer in conjunction with their premium lists, certificates of merit which shall bear the seal of the National Society, subject to the express condition that the offering of certificates of merit shall be under rules to be strictly prescribed by the central committee, and that the appointment of judges of awards be subject to the approval of the same committee. In awarding certificates for new things of any description, I believe that a system resembling that which the Massachusetts Horticultural Society employs in certain cases should be adopted, namely, that for the first time of showing, an exhibit, no matter how seemingly meritorious, should have only a provisional award; that on the second year, if the promise of merit is apparently fulfilled the fact should be certified to in appropriate terms, and that only on the third year of showing, and the third time of being adjudged worthy, should a full and final certificate of established merit be given. This would be no hardship to exhibitors, since they might, if they chose, place their products on the market after the first time of showing, and on the strength of their provisional certi- ficate which would be all they were entitled to and all that our present certificate of merit really amounts to under the present system. It might be well to require that the third time of showing should be at a National Exhibition, but that for the first and second time, a certificate from an accredited local branch, given under the rules prescribed by the Society, should be of the same effect as if coming from the central committee at the time of an annual meeting. In some such way as this, might the local clubs be encouraged and strengthened by afhlialion with the National Society, and whatever good works they might do under the stimulus of such encouragement, could not fail to react in a manner beneficial to the Society of American Florists. I believe that the continual growth and success of our Society must lie in the constant stimulation of local interest. The National Society is in its strong and lusty youth, but the local clubs in many places show at times some signs of faltering, and whatever can be done to strengthen them and keep alive a vital interest, will surely be so much done to insure the continual growth of the Society of American Florists and the cer- tainty of its arriving at a green old age. The President announced, as the next question : " Can the so PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTIOX. general florist engage to advantage in the hardy plant and shrub business for lawn decoration." Mr. William Scott, of Buffalo, (who was called upon to reply), said: I did not consider that my response to this question would be of a character that would justify me in furnishing it in manuscript, and, therefore, in the little I may have to say, 1 will trust to my memory alone. I think I have reason to find fault with the phraseolog}' of the question, for there are many places in which we use vines and shrubs other than lawns. For instance, two of the plants most generally dealt in by florists, Clematis Jackmanni and Ampelopsis Vietchii, both grow up against the side of the house. AVith regard to the abstract question involved here, that of a division of labor, I have to suggest that, from what we know in regard to it, our ancestors, centuries ago, did not recognize anything of that kind. They were their own shoemakers and tailors, and, I suppose, it may be claimed that the only distinctive trade in existence five hundred or six hundred years ago was that of smith — which may account for the numerous *' Smiths " of whom we now hear. [Merriment.] As the world advanced in civilization, this principle also made progress, and in some of the countries in Europe, notably France and Germany, it has been broughtdown to a fine point. But I do not regard any of those countries as more advanced in civilization than our own, which is, I think, as good a country as any that the sun shines on. However, I am reminded of the advice given me by our good friend, Secretary Stewart, when he told me that I could not run a greenhouse and a store together, but would have to give my brains to one or the other. 1 think he was right. Whether the general florist can " engage to advantage in the hardy plant and shrub business " depends on circumstances. If j'ou live in a great city like Buffalo, you will have to make use of your John Mays to grow your roses, while somebody else grows your asters. In that case, I would say, by no means allow such men to go into the growing of shrubs. But if you live in a small town — I will say in Youngstown, Ohio, or in Chicago, 111., — [great laughter], — the case is different. Putting jokes aside, what I mean to say is this : if you live in a city with a population of a quarter of a million, the business is large enough for one man to grow flowers and another to sell them; but if you live in a small town — say where the population does not exceed 20,000 — the general florist should engage in hardy roses, shrubs, and vines. Twenty years ago it would have been much more difficult than it now is to do this, but, as all of you know from experience,we now have agents coming around every spring, who are prepared to import from Europe the very finest shrubs, clematis, and everything we want. [Merriment.] At the same time, without meaning to cast any insinuation, I may add that we know that the professional tree-peddler has not a very good reputation. [Merriment and applause.] SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 81 The President. The next question is, "What per cent, over cost should be a general basis for prices in conducting a retail cut flower trade.'' Mr. John Westcott, of Philadelphia (to whom the reply had been assigned), came forward and said that such a thing as a uniform rate of profit was impracticable. The manner in which a man's business is con- ducted, the state of the market at the time, and all the circumstances surrounding the transaction, all being important factors in determining what rate of profit a florist can or may charge. About 100 per cent, he thought might be accepted, however, as a fair average. He added, "We have to charge about all we have the conscience to charge, and our con- sciences are usually very large. [Laughter.] A man who attempts a cheap business will get left every time. At the end of the year we iind we have a little profit and a few dollars to spend at the Convention." The President announced, as the next question on the list, the following: " Palms, ferns, and decorative plants — their value in floral decorations." Mr. Michael H. Norton, of Boston, (who was called upon to respond), said: I have an apology to offer on this occasion. I had prepared a brief paper on the question, but unfortunately lost or mislaid it, or perhaps have been relieved of it by some of my good friends. [Laughter.] However, you will remember that this subject is nearly identical with the one which was ably and thoroughly covered by Mr. Charles D. Ball, of Pennsylvania, at the Convention of last year, and it was then so exhaustively treated by that gentleman that I think very little is left to be said by me now in regard to it. I recommend every member of this Society to secure a copy of last year's report of the pro- ceedings, in which Mr. Ball's paper is given very fully. A suggestion I would here make, while I am on my feet, is that it would be perhaps advisable to avoid, as far as possible, a repetition of identical subjects at successive annual meetings. [Applause.] The President announced, as the next question, the following: "In what way can a florist most successfully start in business in a country tOAvn." The response to this question had been assigned to Mr. A. Giddings, of Danville, 111. Mr. J. D. Carmody presented a written reply from Mr. Giddings, which was read by Secretary Stewart. It was as follows: I presume the above question ought to have been answered by an older head than mine, for I take it to be quite a difficult task to answer it wisely; nevertheless each florist has his own views, and no doubt would use his own judgment in such a case. At the same time capital, skill, and push, will have a great deal to do with it. And then again it will be 82 PROCEEDIXGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. owing to how strong competition is. Circumstances alter Cc\ses. In a town with 5,000 population and as low as .3,000, an enterprising man can invest .§2,000 in about three tirst class houses, heated with hot water. I would devote one house to vegetable plants, and the other two to plants and to forcing of roses, etc., and if the demand for plants would justify dispensing with the vegetable business, would recommend dropping it, and devoting the whole establishment to plants and cut flowers, and if the demand exceeds the supph' in the latter, would bed up one whole house in roses and a portion of the other houses in carnations, asters, etc. I would stock up with a general collection of plants, a few decorative plants, palms, orchids, etc., adding to these as the trade demands. I should keep a large stock of geraniums, fuchsias, vei-benas, and pansies, and other saleable plants, bulbs of all kinds; keep up my stock in good shape, sell at reasonable prices, treat my customers kindly, giving satisfaction in all cases, for in so doing hangs the success of any florist. Mr. Bexj. Grey, of Maiden, Mass.. criticised the variety and quantity of stock suggested, which was all out of proportion to the amount of the investment, and would be more suitable, he thought, for a place of 500,000 population. He believed that a man would make a better living to f^o to work with a pick and shovel for the town than to undertake any such scheme as the one recommended. The President announced, as the next question, the following: " What hardy and half-hardy plants maybe used for decorative purposes in severe weather." He stated that he would like to have this question answered by Mr. Jackson Dawson, of Boston, whose knowledge of such plants probably exceeded that of any gentleman in the country. In view of Mr. Dawson's absence, the consideration of the question would be deferred, to await his arrival. The next question was, " Can the Society do anything to regulate the prices of bedding plants throughout the country." Mr. Peter Henderson was called upon to respond. He simply said: This question does not require a long speech. I answer simply, no. [Applause.] Mr. Charles Anderson was next called upon to respond to two ques- tions viz. : "What is the best treatment for roses when they first show sit^ns of being attacked by black spot," and " What is the best treatment when badly affected by black spot and the owner does not wish to throw them away if he can avoid doing so." Mr. Charles Anderson replied. 1 have not so far discovered any treatment which would be an effective remedy for or cure of black spot. I reo'ard the disease as one of the most fatal amongst roses in this country. 'Most of the roses that are planted out of doors, especially the Hybrid SOCIETY OF AMERICAX FLORISTS. 83 Perpetual or Hybrid Remoutant, become affected by it more or less, whether in dry weather or wet weather. There are very few varieties that are planted out of doors, in some sections of the country, that will not be affected by black spot. So far as we have knowledge of its nature it is a disease of the sap or the circulation of the plant, and it has been impossible to get at it and apply a remedy which will kill if. I am unable to suggest anything for its prevention. I fear that the time will come (and I expressed the same apprehension three years ago in Phila- delphia) when it will be impossible in this country to grow a hardy rose of any kind out of doors, because of the fact that, from about the first or middle of July, most all of the Hybrid Perpetual roses lose their foliage through the disease known as black spot. 1 find that the crops of European growers are affected by the dis- ease in the same manner. There it is called " rust." I believe it to be produced by atmospheric influences. It makes its appearance on plants other than roses but in those cases is perhaps a different form of fungus. The President. The next question reads : "What is the average number of blooms produced in one season by the following six varieties of roses, viz: Perle des Jardines, Catharine Mermet, The Bride, Papa Gontier, La France and Xiphetos, under good treatment; and at what price (wholesale) must they be sold to give the grower a fair return on his investment, besides paying him for his time." Mr. J. D. Raynolds was called upon to reply. He said: The ques- tion reminds me of a little story that perhaps most of you may have heard. A good dominie went into a Sunday school to pass a little time in instructing the children. He read from the Bible the story of Jacob's dream. After he had finished and had closed the book, he beamed upon the children, looked around and asked, "I^ow will any little boy or little girl like to ask any question?" One boy held up his hand and said, "Please, sir, I would like to know, seeing that the angels had wings, why it was they had to climb up Jacob's ladder." [Laughter.] Xow, would " any little boy or little girl " like to answer that question? [Applause.] The President. The next question is a very serious one. It is, " Has Her Majesty rose proven of any value for out of doors." Mr. Elmer E. Summy, of La Salle, New York, replied as follows: After three years of patient care and waiting I was this seasou rewarded with several splendid blooms out of doors, the blooms lasting: nearly two weeks in fair condition. It has proven hardy "heeled in " with other sorts and covered: lightly with marsh grass, although the winter of 1887-88 killed the shoots back to the ground, but it started well from the roots the following- spring. My soil is deeply worked but not very rich, but the plant now is making a splendid growth. 84 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. The President announced as the next question: " How can young people be encouraged to take an interest in flowers, which make homes beautiful and attractive." Mr. John Thorpe was called upon and responded. This question is a difficult one to answer, unless it is assumed that parents will take an interest in flowers. If parents love flowers I am sure the children will show a like affinity for flowers, and from the moment that you bring a child to love a flower, its interest in the beautifying of its home will increase and strengthen. I am of the opinion that no child was ever born Avho did not love flowers, if it had an opportunity to see them often in the early stages of its existence. Furthermore, I believe it is natural for all people to love flowers. I believe that there is not a man, woman or child in America but that loves flowers, or a flower of some kind. [Applause.] The President. The next question is rather a knotty one, but some one in the audience will probably be able to answer it. It is this : " How can a grower of cut flowers, who is located at a distance from market best dispose of his slock." Mr. J. D. Carmody. I would say send it to Yaughan. [Laughter.] Mr. John Thorpe. Send it to Stewart. [Kenewed merriment.] The President. The next question is this: "How far are the express companies liable for loss on cut flowers or plants through dam- age by frost on the route, or failure to deliver promptly. Some companies claim that being perishable, the stock must travel at owner's risk." Mr. Grant, of Chicago, was called upon to reply. He said: All I can say is that, in my experience, where such shipments have gone astray, I have collected for the loss. But it depended a great deal upon the company with which I had to deal. There is a vast dift'erence in the management of the various companies. Much depends also upon whether you are a heavy shipper or not. I find that where you are shipping very heavily, and your trade is an item of some importance to a particular com- pany, that company will pay much more attention to your claim than it would if you merely shipped with them semi-occasionally, and your busi- ness was comparatively small. As to the question of legal responsibility, I think that when the propert}' comes into the possessi^ of the compan}', it is logall}^ respon- sible, but being legally responsible for it and recovering for the loss of it are two entirely different matters. I have recovered for frozen flowers which had been left out on a platform when the thermometer was 35 degrees below zero and a blizzard was blowing around them, but I suc- ceeded in this only after a great deal of trouble. I may say, in regard to this matter of damages from express compa- nies, that the employee Avho makes a blunder is obliged to pay the ex- pense. The company pays the money out through its claim agent only SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 85 after the}' have traced the responsibility for the loss down to some partic- ular individual, and they deduct the amount they pa)' from the salary of that individual. I do not know that it is proper for me to go into these details, but they are suggested by the question, and I am able to give them from actual personal experience, having myself been employed in the express business. I recollect distinctly having had a deduction made from my salary on account, of an error at one time. Mr. Charles Anderson. Perhaps no more important matter could come before this body than this one of claims for damages for losses by express. Oftentimes the losses are severe, both on the receiver and on the shipper of the goods. Express companies have combined to raise their rates on all matter that is sent from the florists, whether large ship- pers or small ones. In regard to recovering damages, it is almost an impossibility to effect a recovery. On their way bills and in their conditions, the companies imply distinctly that the goods are sent at your risk or at the risk of the receiver. This Society could not do a better service for itself and to the trade than by formulating some plan by which the express companies could be made responsible for losses sustained by the trade in the detention and the miscarriage of goods. In one instance, goods sent by me a distance of seventy miles were three weeks on the road. I could not get the ex- press company to pay damages — oh, no! With them the cry was all the time that it was "the fellow at the other end of the line." Mr. G. L. Grant, of Chicago. Mr. President, a great trouble iu collecting these claims is caused by not going at the work in a proper manner, and in order that a company shall pay attention to it, the claims must be brought before them in an intelligible way. You must have your receipt for the package, showing the time at which it was received. That is prima facie evidence, which they must have before they can go ahead. Then they will look up the number and date of the way bill. Of course, you will write out your complaint, stating the time the package was delivered, and probably submit the letter of complaint from the con- signee. Pin that to the receipt with your complaint and turn the papers over to the claim agent. Do not go to that official as if you were going to hit him with a club, or denounce the company as a grinding monopoly and all that sort of thing, but just step up to him and tell him, "Here is the case of a package that went astray, please to look it up." And if you do not hear from him for two or three months, suggest to him again to look it up. If you live long enough, you will hear from him. [Laughter.] The President. The next question for consideration is,- "What is the best method of eradicating the cut-worm and all damaging insects from our bench and potting soil." Mr. J. D. Carmody replied. That question was put in the box by •86 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. nie for the purpose of enabling me to state a little experiment which I have been trying in that direction. I have, for several years, been pestered with grub worms, which destroyed sometimes whole bunches of our roses. I found them in sod soil and in the manure which we mix in as a fertilizer. In fact, they multiply in the* soil to such an extent that I have taken as many as 300 or 400 grubs out of a bench thirty feet long. I have tried a remedy, and, next 3'ear, I may be able to report upon it. In the meantime, I throw out a hint of it, so that other tiorists may make experiments on the same method. I prepared a sheet-iron pan, of good heavy sheet-iron, put my soil in it and cooked the soil. I made it so hot that I could not hold my hand in it without burning it. The result was that not a live grub was left in it. More than that, it killed the cut- worm, and not only that but all the other insects and seeds in the soil. I do not expect to have to spend one minute in weeding my rose benches in the coming season. In reply to a question just propounded to me privately as to whether I did not injure the soil, I say no, I have benefited that soil. The soil came out, in appearance, just as it went in. It was moist but steaming hot. Another gentleman asks me how long it took to heat a quantity of soil. I answer that that would depend entirely upon the capacity of the pan and the quantity of soil to be provided. It took me but a short time to heat the soil for the benches in a house 20 feet wide and 100 feet long. It was done in a day and a half. The pan which I used was three feet wide and eight feet long. This pan was set on two parallel walls, with a low chimney, say about three feet high, at the further end, and a slow lire was built under it. It required about one hour to get the soil to a proper heat. That was a shallow pan. I then threw out the heated soil and filled it up fresh. Another way to produce the same result in one- half the time is to build a wooden box of plank, say about an inch and a-half or two inches thick. If you have steam on your place, lay a coil of perforated steam pipes at the bottom of your tank, till in with dirt and turn on your steam, and, with about live pounds pressure, you will heat the whole soil in about fifteen minutes, enough to kill every grub and weed-seed that may be in it. By the way, as we have been talking of having a National Experi- mental Garden, I suggest that the S. A. F. should be considered an Ex- perimental Garden with everv one of its members an experimental gardener, and that every man should experiment on something or other and make his report at each meeting. Mr. Foster. How would it do to have the soil placed in a glass house and let the sun do the business. Mr. Carmody. I think the grub can stand more than sun heat; in fact, 1 know that it can. Mr. Benj. Hammond (being called upon at the suggestion of Mr. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 87 Charles Anderson), said: From experiments that I have carried on in regard to the various families of cut worms, where the soil is handled in limited quantity, it struck me, as I heard Mr. Carmody's advice, that he had one of the most tangible ways of doing it, in the application of heat or of a jet of steam, upon the earth. Certainly no animal alive could with- stand the amount of heat that a jet of steam under five pounds pressure would cause to be absorbed by a quantity of moderately dry soil. The quantity of earth that would be necessary in an average greenhouse could be handled at an expense that would be quite moderate. Wood & Bro., sent me a sample of the larvae of the cut-worm in earth, which I inves- tigated as well as I was able to do in many ways. Certainly, no way of killing these pests is so rational as that of subjecting them to what is equivalent to the steam jet, that is, the application of boiling hot water. Of course you cannot take a mass of ground larger than you can thor- oughly heat. A little care and judgment is needed in doing it. Then, of course, after you have got it saturated with, moisture, you must expose it to the sunlight somewhere, so that it will dry. In handling a body of one or two tons of earth, the application of steam upon the earth in shal- low pans is certainly a tangible method. I think that a trial of the plan stated b}' Mr. Carmody will be found successful. Mr. Walker, of Louisville. I will just say that, for several yeaj.'s, we have had trouble in our greenhouse with grubs, as Mr. Carmody has had, and we have applied that very method of putting the pans of earth upon the steam pipe. For heating quantities of earth, you can la)' lines of pipe a few inches apart, right on the level ground and turn the steam on them. B}' having the necessary quantity of pipe, you can heat thousands of tons in a very short space of time. Mr. J. M. Ward, of Peabody, Mass., remarked that the eggs of the larvae of the June bug (or cockchafer), were deposited from the latter part of May or the first week of June; that florists were very anxious to get the soil for their benches as early as possible, but that, if they could wait until the first of July, these bugs would be fouod developed and large enough to be picked out. UNIFORMITY IN POTS. The President here called for a report from the Committee on the Standard Pot question. Mr. Robert Craig, of Philadelphia, the chairman of the committee, said: Mr. President, your committee would report that they have carried out, as nearly as was possible, the instructions received by them at the Convention of last year in New York. About two weeks after the Convention adjourned, the committee had one of the potters in Phila- delphia make some samples according to designs prepared by them. The first samples made were not satisfactory, as they did not come as near to the requirements of the design as the committee thought they should, and a second set was prepared. These were deemed, at that time, to be OO PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTION. as nearly correct as it was possible to have them. The second lot of samples were shown to many prominent florists in Xew York, iN'ew Jersey, Philadelphia, ariti elsewhere, but no further improvements could be suggested, and the committee finally adopted a certain style of pot. They then caused to be published in the "American Florist" a notice asking all the potters of the country who wished to make these standard pots to apply to the chairman of the committee for samples of the same. In reply to this, applications were received, and more than forty sets of the pots were sent out to different parts of the country. Some of the largest makers of pots, however, never applied for samples, and apparently took no interest in the matter. The first pots, as made a year ago, varied slightly from the measure- ment as proposed. The idea was to get pots to be exactly what the}' purported to be: that is, a four inch pot was to be exactly four inches, or as neariy four inches as possible, across the top and in depth, inside measurement. The committee notices, to-day, that some of the pots made since that time are more exact, as far as the width and depth are concerned, than the patterns adopted by them; that is, the potters have come to make them with almost exact precision, thus showing that there is nothing impossible in the case, and that all the requirements can be fulfilled, if they go about it in the right way. It is a matter of regret^ however, that the pots made by some of the firms, while they measure sa nearly across the top, do not conform across the bottom to the standard as adopted by the committee, so that they do not nest quite as nicely as they might; but the committee think there are no practical ditficulties in the way. They think that if the potters will take hold of this matter earnestly, with a desire to do what they can, they can do all that is asked of them. The committee feels more confidently than ever that the thing is practicable, and that, if the potters universally will take hold of it, it will prove a grand, good thing. [Applause.] Mr. A. H. Hews, of Xorth Cambridge, Mass. Mr. President, the gentleman (Mr. Craig) has said that some of the large potters failed to report to the committee. I did not understand that the committee was constituted with full power for action upon a standai-d pot for this Society. I fail to find, in the report of the proceedings of the Convention of the S. A. F. for last year, record of any vote giving the committee any such authority, or, in fact, that any committee was appointed. I do find, on page 62 of the Report, under the heading, "Uniformity in Pots," the following: " The President. The committee appointed to consider the propriety of recom- mending uniformity in the style and pattern of pots has prepared a report, which has been lianded to the Chair. " Tlie report is as follows : " Your committee appointed to consider the advisability of the florists of America adopting a uniform size and pattern of pots, report that it would in many ways be greatly to their benefit if in future all manufacturers would conform to uniform standard sizes, said sizes to be exactly as represented." SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 89' And so on. Thereupon, a discussion followed, which was participated in by Mr. Craig, Mr. May, and quite a number of other members. The report winds up with the following: " An attempt was then made to close the discussion of the pot question, and after several ineffectual motions and considerable argument, Mr. J. D. Raynolds, of Riverside,. 111., moved that the subject be re-committed to the committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hendricks, and was adopted without dissent." That is the last action taken by the Convention of which I can find any record in this Report. There are other discussions on this subject reported, but I cannot find that the Convention, as a whole, took any further action in regard to adopting a uniform pot. AVe then find, on page 165, under the heading of " Flower Pots," the following report : " We find on exhibition samples of flower pots from two to thirty inches in diameter, the exhibitors being A. Hews & Co., of North Cambridge, Mass , and the Whilldin Pottery Co., of Philadelphia, Pa. "John Schmidt, of Rochester, N. Y., shows alinA)f glazed orchid pots, which are approved by many growers. Your committee take this opportunity to recommend that a uniform size and pattern of pots be adopted by all the pot makers supplying the United States, and that in all cases the size indicated will be the outside measurements; also, that the height and diameter shall l>e equal." Now, here are two separate reports of committees given. These reports at the meeting of 1888 conflict with each other. I claim that the Society of American Florists has not, as 3'et, adopted a standard pot,^ although reports have been sent out by that committee that the Society has adopted a standard pot, and it has taken a very decided position iri this matter. As one of the largest manufacturers in the United States, I have to say that, whenever this Society adopts a standard pot I shall be very happy to conform to the standard. I have here with me four pots manufactured by four different man- ufacturers, all of which are claimed to be standard pots of the size as recommended by the committee. They do not nest together as well as do the old-fashioned hand-made pots. They vary from 4:^ to 4|^ inches in depth, when the pot should be four inches in width and depth. The pot I now show you was made by the Whilldin Company, and purports to be the standard size. It measures one-fourth inch in width and one- half inch in depth more than the standard required by the committee. In order to have a uniform pot made by the different manufacturers,^ each size must be made by seven dimensions : inside, width, top and bot- tom, and inside height, and this repeated on the outside, otherwise the thickness of the pot will seriously affect uniformity, and for the seventh measurement, the depth of the outside rim must be given. The committee omitted one of the most prominent sizes in their list, which is a pot measuring four and one-fourth inches inside measurement. We are willing to make pots of whatever size the florists will use, but we cannot change our moulds without an expense of about S3, 000, and therefore do not want to make a change until we have some definite 90 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. information of what the Society requires. I hope that this matter will be referred back to the committee for further action. [Applause.] Mr. Robert Craig. Mr. President, it was certainly understood by every florist in the country that that committee had power to act. The committee took ever}' means to notify all parties interested that they were about to take action. They published the fact in every way, shape, and form. The gentleman who has just spoken represents, as I know, one of the largest pottery firms in this country, but he was so little inter- ested in the matter of these standard pots that he never addressed a line to au}^ member of that committee, never asked them for information, and apparently never took the slightest interest in the matter one way or the other. It comes, then, with rather bad grace, I think, for him to come here now, a year later, and complain that something has been done and that he did not know about it. What was the use of appointing this committee, what was the use of all this publication and all this sending out of notices? There is i^ot a florist here who did not know of this movement for the whole of the year past. As I Ifave said, more than forty firms applied to that committee and received samples of pots of the design adopted by the committee. It was quite within the power of the gentleman here, or in the power of any one who took any interest in the matter, to get those samples. [Applause.] Mr. Harry Balsley, of Detroit, Mich. Mr. President, I am here representing the Detroit Flower Pot Manufactory. When the Society of American Florists had appointed their committee on standard pots, we got the cut that was issued by the Whilldin Pottery Company, discarded our old moulds, and made the pot exactly as standard. In comparing pots to-day, I showed Mr. Hews (whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time) that our pot measured exactly with all the measurements, ex- cept across the bottom, which was one thirty-second of an inch narrower than the cut, while the committee have awarded the premium for stand- ard pots to a pottery whose pot measures almost one-quarter of an inch in width and one-eighth of an inch in height over standard measure- ment. Taking these things into consideration, I enter a protest against awarding the honor to that pottery. Mr. A. H. Hews. If the Convention will allow me, I desire to make one more remark. The gentleman (Mr. Craig) states that I did not take any interest in the matter. I did take a great deal of interest in it. I took enough interest in it to get the report of the proceedings of the Convention immediately upon its publication, so that I might see what action had been taken b}' the Society. After inspecting the volume I assumed that no action had been taken at the Convention that could be decisive, and that we should have to wait for another meeting of this Convention before we could do anything about it. Therefore, I have done nothing in the meantime. I did not wait upon the committee, neither did I suppose that anything would come from the committee in the way of final action on the matter. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 91 Mr. G. Miller, of Chicago. Mr. President, I have examined the sample of pot to which the committee gave the highest award of merit and lind that the sample is half an inch one way and half an inch another way larger than the standard adopted. It seems to me that the represen- tative of the pottery company should be sustained in his demurrer from the decision of the committee, because they have given the award of merit to a pot which measures more than the standard in size, depth and width. The committee never said anything in connection with the depth of the rim of the pot, as Mr. Hews has stated. So that if we take the pots of four different potters, we find that they do not nest at all, the rim being nearly half an inch deeper in one than in another. I hold in my hand a communication from Mr. W. P. Simmons, of Geneva, O., stating that he had received a shipment of quite a large lot of pots from the Detroit Pottery, and that they are the best pots in size and in every other way that he has ever received. Mr. J. D. Rayxolds. Mr. President, I move that this subject be referred to the Executive Committee, where any complaints in regard to the justice or injustice of the awards may be inquired into. It does not seem proper to take up the time of the Convention with this matter. Mr. Raynold's motion was adopted without objection. The Convention then adjourned until to-morrow. THIRD DAY — M0R:N^ING. Buffalo, N. Y., Thursday, August 22, 1889. President May announced, as the first business in order, the elec- tion of officers for the ensuing year. On motion all the nominees were elected b}^ acclamation, — Secretary Stewart casting the ballot of the Society for President, Vice-President and Treasurer. The ballot for Secretary was cast by President May. The officers elected were as follows: President, J. M. Jordan, of St. Louis; vice-president, Michael H. Norton, of Boston; secretary, William J. Stewart, of Boston; treasurer, Myron A. Hunt, of Terre Haute, Ind. SUMMER BLOOMING FLOWERS. The Convention then listened to an essay prepared by Mr. A. E. Whittle, of Albany, X. Y., on "Useful Summer Blooming Flowers." The essay, in the absence of its author, was read by Secretary Stewart, and was followed by general ap^ilause. It was as follows: It is not the object of the writer of this paper to attempt to specify and describe all the flowers that can be made available for useful work during the summer. Many plants that bear handsome flowers during 92 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. this period are valuable only for decorative purposes iu the tiovver gardeu. His design is rather to select examples, and call the attention of those florists who grow for the cut-flower market to those plants whose blooms are always of value as cut flowers; and. this enumeration will be principally of flowers that can be grown outside during the summer months. Seldom do we find a florist who is systematic in the growing of summer plants, in order to have a constant supplj-^ of useful flowers. His efforts in this direction may be characterized as rather aimless, for though he may have plenty of flowers outside, they are often of a kind that are useless for what is required; and still more frequently they can be found in his gardens in quantities, only at irregular intervals. True, the most serviceable of these flowers at this season are of little value in a financial point of view; but florists require flowers iu summer as well as in winter, and it is to their interest to possess those that are the most advantageous to them. As a rule there is a dearth of useful flowers in early summer. It is too soon to look for- flowers outside from spring-sown seeds, and spring- planted plants, and too late to gather very much from the greenhouses. Roses at this period often command as high prices as during some of the winter months, as florists now commence to prepare for the replanting of their rose-beds and the crop of these flowers is diminished thereby and the supjily decreases through the summer months. Carnations also at this season are not so plentiful as earlier in the year. It is therefore necessai-y to fill up the gap in the best way possible by preparing ahead for a supply of useful flowers. Catalogues teem with the names of plants recommended for summer blooming and that are really desirable for many purposes; but of this number onh^ comparatively few are of advantage to the florist. Summer flowers, equall}- with those of winter, to be used in florists' work, must have long stems and good keeping qualities. A list has therefore been carefully prepared of the flowers which bloom in the summer, and which can be recommended for the purpose under discussion, rigidly excluding those for which a florist has no place. The title, therefore, of this essay, as printed, is somewhat of a misnomer. The design in preparing this list is to specify the plants that are con- sidered desirable to be grown for each month in summer, commencing with May and ending with October. Before proceeding with this list it is but right to say that able assistance has been given to the writer by ^Mr. Falconer, of Glen Cove, L. I. A few simple cultural directions will be given where it is considered desirable. Plants to Bloom in May. Greenhouse: Gloxinias, Lapagerias, Stephauotis, Roses, Carnations, Heliotrope. Gloxinias to be had in flower for this month should be potted early, not later than March, and kept warm. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 93 Stephanotis may be had iu flower ia April if placed in a temperature of not less than 60 degrees through the winter. Lapagerias will continue blooming until fall, the white one being very desirable. Stephanotis will last through June and July. Frames: Pausies, Myosotis, Anemones, Mignonette, Candytuft, Calendulas, Stocks. Pausies may be had in bloom in April b)^ sowing the seed early in the preceding fall, not later than the end of Augvist. There can be no tiower more useful to the florist at this time of the year than Mignonette and Candvtuft. These may be had either by sowing seed in the fall, pro- viding the protection of a cold frame through the winter, or by sowing in moderate hot-])ed iu early spring. Seed of the intermediate Stock should be sown in early fall, Ten-week Stock in hot-bed or greenhouse in March. Shrubs: Magnolias — stellata, conspicua, Soulangeaua ; Lilacs, Viburnum opulus, Deutzia gracilis, Spirea Van Houttei — cantoniensis ; Tree Pieonies. Herbaceous Plants: Trillium grandiflorum, earlj- Pteonies, Lily-of- the-Valle}', Hesperis matronalis, Iberis sempervirens, Dielytra spectabilis. Attention is directed to the perennial Candytuft. It is excellent for all purposes as cut flowers. Plants to Bloom in June. . Greenhouse: AUamanda Schottii, Lapageria, Stephanotis. Shrubs: Chiouanthus Virginica, Philadelphus grandiflorus, Deutzia crenata fl. jjl., Eoses. Hardy and herbaceous jperennials: Pteonies, German Irises, Coreop- sis lanceolata, Double pyrethrums, Lilium tenuifolium — Hansoui, candi- dum and longiflorum; Spirea palmata, Cypripedium spectabile, Hemer- ocallis flava, Delphinuims. Coreopsis lanceolata is very showy and quite desirable. Seed should be sown in July and plants will bloom in the following spring. Lilium candidum and longiflorum may be had in flower both through May and June by retarding bulbs potted in late fall. Annuals: Coreopsis coronata. Mignonette, Candytuft, Alyssum, Sweet peas, Helianthus cucumerifolius, Asters, Stocks, Dianthus in variety. Double Feverfew, Gaillardia picta, Lorenziana and hybrids, Scabiosa. • Among the most satisfactory annuals for summer work must be named the gaillardias. They are extremely showy and generally sell readily. To have them in flower in June, seed should be sown in Feb- ruary. Mr. Denys Zirngiebel, of ISTeedham, Mass., in answer to a ques- tion, kindly gives some information concerning the early blooming of Asters. The seed is sown in December, plants when up are potted into two-inch and then three-inch pots, and then planted outside in April, where, if they are properly hardened, they will endure some degrees of frost. By this method Mr. Zirngiebel places Asters in the market by the 94 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONTENTION. middle of June. Of the various forms of Asters, not one is superior for florist's purposes than the Victoria strain. The flowers are very hand- some,of tine form, and produced in great abundance. A variety called Burpee's Dwai'f Queen, seen growing at Glen Cove, L. I., can also be highly recommended. There is no reason why Asters may not be had in flower from June until October. All that is needed is successive sowings of seed from December until the first or second week in June. Of course the two- later sowings may be drilled outside. A very fine bed of Asters is now comintT into bloom (August 10) from seed drilled outside the first week in May. Another sowing in June will enable flowers to be cut until frost. It is perhaps superfluous to mention to practical men that strict attention must be given to the proper thinning out of seedlings that grow from outside drilled seed. The writer has no experience in experi- mentino- with Asters as an inside crop. That this is feasible is very probable. Perhaps some gentleman now present may be able to speak upon this point. Stress is laid upon the value of Asters as cut flowers. They are essential to every floi-ist, and the longer the blooming season can be prolonged the better for florists in general. Candytuft is another annual that can be had at any time in spring, summer and fall. All that is necessary is successive sowings. The dates of these sowings should be decidec) by each individual for himself. Localities differ, and what may be the right time for one may very likely be the wrong time for another. The aim is to direct attention to the possibilities of a continuous supply of the flowers of desirable annuals. Mr. Zirngiebel states that when Candytuft is transplanted the plants flower sooner than when the seed is drilled and the seedlings, after thin- ning out, allowed to remain. Plants to Bloom in July. \ Hollyhocks, Gladioluses, Hyacinthus candicans, Montbretia crocos- nifeflora, Milla biflora. Gladiolus, as is well known, may be had in flower much earlier in the season. The Montbretia and the Milla are both desirable. Old clumps of Hollyhocks flower earlier than plants from fall sown seed. A succession of these flowers may be had by having some old clumps and planting every year, plants raised from seed sown in October. Perennials: Lilium candidum, longiflorum, auratum, superbum; Iris Ka^mpferi, Phlox decussata— varieties, Spirea Ulmaria, fl. pi., Ascle- pias tuberosa. Helianthus multiflorus, fl. pi.. Euphorbia coroUata, Yucca tilamentosa, Lathyrus latifolius. Plants to Bloom in August. Shrubs : Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora, Tamarix Chinensis. Miscellaneous: Cannas, Dahlias, Gladioluses, Montbretias, Fever- few double white, Solanum jasmiuioides — the latter in greenhouse. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 95 Some florists have made quite a success in growing tlie white dwarf Dahlia — Camellireflora — as a fall crop in the greenhouses. It is v^y prolific, and most useful for our work. If managed* so as to have the plants in full fiower during the month of October, they become quite valuable, for frosts during this montli kill all tender outside flowers. Perennials: Liliums in variety, Phlox paniculata varieties, Euphor- bia corollata, Anelnone japonica, Funkia grandiflora. Annuals: Second crop of Asters, Candytuft, etc. Plants to Bloom in September. Miscellaneous: Tuberoses, Feverfew, second crop; Dahlias, Carna- tions, Cannas, Bouvardias in greenhouse. It is always well to grow a sufficient number of Carnations, in order that a few may be allowed to bloom early. These need not be planted inside for winter work, but kept solely for the fall flowers. Hardy perennials : Helianthus multiflorus, fl. pi., Anemone Jajjonica, Pyrethrum uliginosum, Liliuni speciosum, Eupatorium ageratoides, Eulalia japonica. Mr. Falconer states that the Eupatorium, though wild, is worthy of notice and cultivation. Plants to Bloom in October. Annuals: Asters, Alyssum, Calendula Meteor and P. of Orange, Verbenas, semi-double Geranium, Candytuft. These flowers will bear a few degrees of frost. Feverfew, double white, Pansies from seed sown in July. Perennials: Anemone Japonica, Pyrethrum uliginosum, early Chrys- anthemums, Helianthus Maximiliani, Eulalia japonica. The President invited discussion of the subject. Mr. J. M. Jordan. Mr. President, in order to prolong the season of blooming of plants that seed freely, it is important to remove the seed pods or blooms, so that they will not perfect their seeds. If we remove the seed pod,, the plants will continue to bloom for a long time. By this process I have bloomed hollyhocks from the first of June until late in October. It is also desirable to prune back the top shoots, thereby caus- ing them to spread. horticultural exhibitions. An essay on this subject prepared by Mr. Edwin Lonsdale, of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, was read by Mr. Robert Craig, and was much applauded. It was as follows: The most primitive flower show it has been my experience to visit took place only a few weeks ago in one of the suburbs of Philadelphia. Early in the present year the officials of the Workingmen's Club, of 96 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. Germantown, donated to women and children who applied, two packets of seeds, one each of Sweet Alyssum and Drummond's Phlox, and a plant each of Fuschia and Zonal Pelargonium. Five-inch pots to grow and exhibit them in, were also given free. The understanding was when the plants and seeds were distributed that an exhibition would take place in the spring, and a schedule was presented as follows: For the best four plants, one of each, five dollars, and a tirst premium of three dollars for the best plant on exhibition, two dollars for the second best and one dol- lar for the third. The only stipulation was that those who accepted the seeds and plants were to attend to them with their own hands, and that no other seeds or plants were to be substituted. For reasons which need not be mentioned here, the show was post- poned from the tirst week in June until late in July, consequently some of the plants did not present nearly so good an appearance as they would have done had the show taken place at the time first named. Especially was this the case with the Alyssum and Phlox. Some of the Zouals and Fuschias were equally well grown as the same class of plants are at a florist's greenhouse. One bad feature which marred the effect of the exhibition was, no effort whatever was made in the arrangement of the plants to show them to the best advantage. Each exhibitor's plants were placed in a row, irrespective of the size of the plants, and numbered for the convenience of the judges. The local newspapers reported a good account of the show, and the benefits that will result from that enterprise cannot be over-estimated. It is admitted on all sides that horticultural exhibitions -are not held in the esteem that they should be by the public, and it may with truth be added, nor by fiorists either. We feel, most of us, that it does not pay to spend much time in attending to the innumerable details that are a very important pait of all exhibitions, and the little that is attempted is done hurriedly ,*without much thought or system, consequently the evidences of a master-mind are rarely apparent in the management of them. At first glance it would seem that exhibitions are better carried on under the auspices of a horticultural society or a florists' club, but, gener- ally speaking, in recent years they have not been financially successful when governed by these organizations. There is too much irresponsi- bility to make the shows a success. Too many who stand aloof with no other apparent reason than to question the motives of those who do hap- pen to lend a helping hand. Too many to offer suggestions and too few active and actual workers. Too many carpers and too' few comforters. The most successful exhibition held in recent years was very nearly, if not quite, an individual enterprise: the one held last winter in Detroit, under the patronage of the proprietor of one of the daily papers of that city. That gentleman had the necessary judgment to bring to his aid the most desirable assistance, and his newspaper was the most potent SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. lever of all in bringing the people to his show. It paper, the judieious advertising, which made the show oess. An intelligent report of a worthy show in the more to make an exhibition of any kind a success financially thing else. The one glaring fault in newspapers generally is, the reporters sent have little or no knowledge about the subjects they are sent to write upon. It is true that at most exhibitions a committee is on hand whose duty it is to meet reporters and draw their attention to the meri- torious exhibits and the Wasteful arrangements, or any other special fea- tures that all shows should possess, but with how much greater weight the news would affect the readers if the writers could bring their own knowledge to bear upon the subjects they are writing about. When the daily press has a good cause to work upon, its power is immense. There is no better cause than that of horticulture. The outlook for horticultural exhibitions is decidedly bright. The press devoted exclusively to horticulture is improving. It is not many jears ago that the florists of America could boast of a paper devoted to their own interests. We have now a high-toned weekly, recently started, the benefits of which, it is to be hoped, will be manifest in a very few years at our exhibitions. When the daily press report the doings of horticulturists with the same fidelity and intelligence as they do athletic and some other sports, we will then have our exhibition halls crowded to their utmost capacity. The trait in human nature to be interested in a contest is almost universal. It is true that the beauties in horticulture appeal to a different side of our nature, but many who now remain away from the flower shows would be attracted to them if the newspapers could, and w^ould, notice the products of the contestants at various times before the dates of the exhibitions, by assigning competent members of their staff to visit the establishments of those amateurs or florists who were grow- ing and training plants or flowers for competition. And I venture to predict that the time is not far distant when such will be the case. Bules that would apply to all sections of this vast country can not be laid down for the management of horticultural exhibitions. One thing can, and must, be done before undertaking the arrange- ments for an exhibition: and that is, we must recognize that they are both necessary and desirable, even if they have proven sometimes financially unsuccessful. They are elevating in their character, and beneficial in their influence. The preparation of a schedule must be done with the greatest care, and one of its main features should be the encouragement of the production of valuable new additions to our plants, fruits, and flowers, suitable to this country, by offering liberal cash premiums, or some other adequate encouragement. I trust the time will come when the Society of xVmerican Florists will have perfected some plan by which merit may be rewarded at other exhibitions than those held undei its own auspices. 98 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. In every city in this country there are wealthy persons who are lovers of plants and flowers, who would willingly offer premiums for special features at exhibitions that may be gotten up in their own locality. All that is necessary to do is to bring the matter to their notice. The selection of judges is one of the most important matters which will have to be decided by the management of any exhibition. They must be, in all cases, men who have had sufficient practical experience to aid them in what should be their unbiased judgment when examining the various exhibits which are brought before them. Too often these offices are tendered more as a matter of compliment than for any ability that the persons selected may possess. Happih% an improvement in this matter is noticeable within the past few years. In order to create the desired confidence, men of ability are selected from distant cities to act in the capacity of committees of awards. If I may be permitted to offer a little advice to judges, I will say that every exhibit, no matter how small, should be noticed, even if it is only to give it honorable mention, for it may be that it is the exhibitor's ttrst attempt, and a little encourage- ment will have a very beneficial effect. A judge's report should always explicitly set forth wherein the successful exhibit is superior to those which were not so fortunate. Individual excellence should be pointed out, in addition to the general effect. No plant has been improved so much within the past few years as the Chrysanthemum. The reason for this is not far to seek. At the first Chrysanthemum show, held in Philadelphia five or six years ago, only one collection in the exhibition building was what is known as pot »rown. Plants for exhibition purposes, or for choice cut flowers, must be frown in pots to attain the best results. Exhibitions have brought about this desirable change. The general effect must not be overlooked in an exhibition uf flowers and plants. Some plants are seen to better advantage on the floor than they may be on a table or a pedestal, and the tables, when used, should in all cases be covered with some other material than the perishable paper which is altogether too frequently seen. In short, an exhibition hall should not be opened to the public until those in charge are satisfied that it is fitted for the most critical and best of their cus- tomers or employers to visit. There are several other matters that should be mentioned here, but as I have already occupied too much of your time, it is left with you t» bring them out in the discussion. The President remarked that the paper of Mr. Lonsdale covered a wide field, and, being a very able one, was entitled to discussion. Mr. J. M. Jordan. I think the paper is too important to be laid aside without discussion, especially as it presents many excellent points SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLOIUSTS. 99 upon which we could profitably spend an hour or more in debate. One very important point which it suggests is that in relation to the influence of the press. In my opinion, it is our own fault if the press does not give our specialty the consideration it deserves. Upon no subject of which I have any knowledge is the press more eager to be correctly in- formed than upon that of our present work in floriculture. Within the last year the interest taken in it by the local press of St. Louis was such that I do not think a week has passed in which from a column to three columns of space has not been devoted to floriculture. If you, gentle- men, will take a little pains to inform the reporters, when they come around to inquire, as to what you are doing, as to the leading flowers in demand, as to the prospect for the future, they will correctly publish the facts. It behooves us, in the future, to see that our business is properly put before the reading community so that the public may be informed in regard to it. In regard to the exhibitions, I wish to say that there seems to have been a lack of a proper kind of energy so far as they are concerned, but it may be that the time is now ripening when such exhibitions will come to the front. In our part of the country we maintain two: One known as the Horticultural and Mechanical Exhibition, for which we have a spacious and magnificent building, where we hold evei-y year the most successful fairs that there are in the country. Then we have our grand Exposition building, one that has been a paying success from its first opening. We are invited to make exhibitions there, and last fall they gave SI ,000 in premiums to the florists of St. Louis for an exhibition. All other exhibitors had to pay the expense of making their exhibits and did not get a dollar for any exhibit. The florists were singled out as being above and beyond all others in importance, and were awarded SI ,000 cash for their exhibition. The same thing can be accomplished in any of our cities if we will only be united. Unity of action will accom- plish wonders. Another point to which I would call attention is the importance of having our plants arranged and our exhibitions completed before the public are admitted to examine them. Oftentimes people go into a hall when the exhibition is but half arranged and the result is an unfavorable impression. At the show in St. Louis nobody is allowed in the hall until everything is in readiness for the public, and the committee have gone around and ascertained that the display is complete. [Applause.] Mr. Grant, of Chicago. I heartily sympathize with the newspaper reporter when he goes to the average exhibition. He knows nothing about the display himself; he soon falls into the hands of some exhibitor, and, of course, as everything that an exhibitor has is good, that reporter is soon loaded up with fairy stories that would stagger even Bill Nye. [Laughter.] I do not blame the average reporter for that which appears in his report. It is amazing to me that he gets along as well as he does. 100 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. I think we ought to provide that somebody who is thoroughly posted shall always attend at these exhibitions and devote his time exclusively to the representalives of the press. Such a one must be a man of capacity, of understanding, and of impartial judgment. Men of that type unfortunately, when we have them, are generally tied up with some other work, are pulled hither and thither on committee work, and have not a moment to spare. Xow while I have the chance and have you at my mercy, I want to speak in regard to these stories that get into the daily papers about roses that sell for ten dollars apiece, and all that sort of nonsense. Where they come from has been an enigma. Somebodj- has said that they originate in the reporter's fertile brain. I thought so myself for a long time until I unintentionally overheard an interview between a florist and a reporter. It is not necessary for me to detail that interview; I will only say that the reporter had my sympathy. The average florist appears to think that when he gets hold of a newspaper man he is privileged to fill him up with exaggerated representations: while the reporter, assuming that he has something that is readable and about which people will get excited, makes the most of the material thus acquired. My advice to you is, when you talk to those men, to give them legitimate, straight news. That is the way to do. [Applause.] Mr. Foster, of Dorchester, Mass., recommended that in horticul- tural exhibitions no names or other means of identification of the exhib- itors should be attached to the exhibits until after the judges had made their awards. Judges could not then be charged, justly or unjustly, of being influenced by personal feeling in passing upon the exhibits of others in the same line of business with themselves. [Applause.] Mr. J. D. Carmody thought that as it took four thousand years to build a man who could invent a telephone, it would also take some little time to build up a class of men who could get up the proper kind of an exhibition. TS^he place to commence is in the school room when they are children. Educate the children to a love of flowers, inculcate in their minds a spirit of competition in the floral line, and as they grow older they will help to secure perfection in your exhibitions. At the exhibition in Indianapolis we had one day that was free to the children, and of which notice was given in advance in the schools. Seven thousand children visited the halls on that day, and you may rel}'^ upon it that very few of them will ever forget that exhibition. We had only one judge and when he entered the room everybody else was excluded. He was not selected from the neighborhood of the exhibition but was brought from an adjoining city'. No exhibits had been entered by him and his judgment was accepted without any com- plaint. [Applause.] The discussion here closed. SOCIKTY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 101 A NATIONAL PRIZE FOR A SEEDLING. Mr. Myron A. Hunt, of Terre Haute, Ind. Ladies and Gentle- men: I am requested to call your attention to the Chrysanthemum Ex- hibit to be held in the city of Indianapolis, commencing November 5th. We have made an effort to stand on an equal plane with our sister cities and states, in this exhibit, as far as the premium-list and other attractions are concerned. The point to which I wish specially to call your attention^ as flower-lovers and as Chrysanthemum growers, is the offer of a National Prize for the most meritorious seedling. The offer reads as follows: "A National Prize — a Silver Cup — offered by Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Washington, D. C." [Applause.] I may add that this lady was in attendance with us, last fall, and evinced great interest in our exhibit. She is a known lover of flowers and has shown her interest in our vocation in the offer of this magnifi- cent prize. It goes without saying, that to the successful competitor it will be a most valuable testimonial, and this announcement is made so' that notice of the offer may be as widely extended as possible. It is hoped that all growers now present will communicate information of this notice to others of whom they may know as having seedlings of merit, so that the most promising seedlings and those of greatest value may be represented, and the one which possesses the greatest merit may be given the prize. For the same reason, it is hoped that the press will give this matter publicity. A TESTIMONIAL TO PRESIDENT MAY. The routine of business was temporarily suspended at this point to permit of the presentation to President May of a handsome telescopic instrument as a testimonial of esteem and appreciation from members of the Society. Mr. E. G. Hill, in presenting the gift, said: Mr. President, I have been requested by a goodly number, in fact by nearly all the members of this organization, to broach a subject which perhaps may sound harshly to the ears of our chief executive. Attention has been called to statements heretofore made by our President, Mr. May, wherein he made most solemn promises to do certain things per- taining to the good of our profession, but which, I am sorry at heart to say it, he has failed to perform. The gentlemen who have filled the executive chair of this Society from its inception to the time at which Mr. May assumed the Preside'ncy were men who, to say the least, regarded their word as a most solemn thing. To come to the bottom of the matter, this most serious charge against our chief executive is this: You, Mr. May, promised to certain members of this Association that, before this date, you would produce a scarlet continuous bloominsr Tea rose that should be the long-looked-for 102 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. perfect rose. The second specification of the charge recites that you boasted either that you had produced, or that you would produce before 1889, a Tea rose of the color of Persian yellow. It is useless for you to attempt to refute these charges, for the testimony is all in and has been passed upon by your colleagues in the business. But your friends, who have followed you with their tears and with a generous contribution, have concluded to give you a further trial, believing that your indomitable energy, coupled with the useful instrument they have selected for you, will enable you to yet make your word as good as your bond. Mr. May, please accept this little momento as a token of our appreciation of your services to the Society. [Applause.] President May responded. Mr. Hill, Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Society: I am compelled to plead for your indulgence. I am accused of having broken faith, but the kindly spirit in which the accusation is ^made, and the under-current of good humor which accompanies it, assure me that you do not take seriously to heart all that has been said by Mr. Hill. While my friend, Mr. Hill, is, I know, very indulgent to me, he likes to give me a friendly hit once in a while, but his motive is always a good one. I may say, however, to those who are not conversant with the facts that, in the present instance, Mr. Hill has indulged in a slight stretch of imagination at my expense. Aside from all that, I wish to say to Mr. Hill and to all my other friends present, that I deeply appreciate their kindness to-day. I accept this unexpected and beautiful testimonial in the spirit in which it is tendered to me, that of true cordial ty. And I trust that whatever errors I may have committed, either in omission or commission, you will all pardon This Society will have, until my dying day, my best wishes, my earnest and thorough co-operation ; and every member will ever find me ready to lend a helping hand in all good Avork and in every good deed that tends to promote the welfare of the Society, of its members, and of every member of our craft on this earth. Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you from my inmost heart for the kind recognition you have tendered me to-day. Permit me to add that if any member of the S. A. F., should happen to visit the little town called Summit, in the state of New Jersey, he will be afforded an opportunity of seeing the Black Spot and all other diseases pertaining to roses, as illustrated by means of the instrument which I have just received. I hope that by its use it may be my good fortune to work out many salient points in rose culture which shall be of interest and benefit to you, in the future, as culturists. [Applause.] STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS. Secretary Stewart here announced the list of Vice-Presidents of the S. A. F., as elected by the State organizations. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 103 ON THE MAKING AND APPLICATION OF HEAT IN GREENHOUSES. The President announced, as the next business, the receipt of a ■communication from Mr. J. S. Williams, of St. Louis, on the making and the application of heat as used in greenhouses. The paper was read by Mr. Jordan. It was as follows: Of the many interests that concern the Florists, few exceed in economic importance the making of the maximum quantity and intensity of the heat which the coal used is capable of producing. . Our attention is constantly called to the large heating surface con- tained in the boilers offered for greenhouse use. While I would not undervalue proper heating surface in a boiler, I hold it of secondary im- portance to the production of all the heat of which the coal is capable, as only such heat as is made, can by any posibility be absorbed; and 1 am of the impression that a serious objection that may be urged against some of the boilers offered, is, that they absorb too large a percentage of the heat they make, thereby impairing their efficiency, for, if too little heat is thrown into the chimney, the draft will be defective and the combus- tion retarded. Recognizing then the importance of making not only the maximum amount, but the maximum intensity as well, and presuming that florists are aware of the fact that much of their fuel is not utilized, 1 will proceed to give as briefly as possible some of the reasons why steam and hot water boilers in common use, come short of realizing your wishes. All must agree that to get the best results, we must not only know the fixed and immutable laws of nature in the combustion of fuel, but must conform — not partially, but wholly,— to them; with or without a knowledge of the laws, their violation must assure failure, conformity to them will assure success. Xot to complicate the matter unduly, we will consider only the principal constituent of all coals, viz: carbon; and to simplify, will state concisely some of the facts that underlie a proper consideration of the subject; facts well known and thoroughly estab- lished, the mere statement of which, will, in a large degree constitute the argument. 1st. No matter how combustible the material, it cannot burn unless mixed with a supporter of combustion. In our case, carbon is the com- bustible and the oxygen of atmospheric air the supporter of combustion. 2d. Carbon will not burn except at a high temperature, about 8.50 •degrees Fahrenheit. ;iD. Other things being equal, the higher the temperature, the more perfect the combustion. ■iTH. There are two, and only two, combustions of carbon, both of which produce colorless gases, and are therefore invisible, viz: A. If with one pound of carbon, we chemically combine one and one-third jjouuds of oxygen, we produce carbonic oxide, the imperfect combustion of carbon and about two-sevenths of the theoretical heat. If, after the 104 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. imperfect combustion — carbonic oxide — is produced, we chemically com- bine another equivalent, or one and one-third pounds of oxygen, a second combustion and the remaining heat will be had. B. If with one pound of carbon we chemicall}- combine two and two-thirds pounds of oxygen, we will produce carbonic acid, the perfect combustion of carbon,, and seven-sevenths of the heat, by one combustion. In other words it is immaterial whether the heat is produced by one or by two combustions, the aggregate heat being the same. oTH. The temperatures produced by burning carbon to carbonic oxide is 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, while the temperature produced by burning carbon to carbonic acid is 4800 degrees Fahrenheit. To illus- trate the great importance of a high temperature, I call your attention to a rule laid down by Thomas Box, in his work on heat; viz: "ten per cent, of the difference between the temperature of the heated gases, and the water in the boiler, will be absoi'bed in a given time and space;" which gives (assuming the water in the boiler to be •21-2°) as follows: CARBONIC ACID. CARBONIC OXIDE. Temperature, . , . 4800° 2400° Water in boiler . . . 212° 212° 10 per cent, of the difference 458.8° 218.8° and if 218.8 is 100 per cent., 458.8 is 209.G8 per cent., showing that the efficiency of the temperature of carbonic acid is 100.08 per cent, greater than the temperature of carbonic oxide. The additional oxygen to pro- duce this result costs nothing, conformity with the law making the difference. 6th. If we pass the oxygen of atmospheric air through a body of incandescent coal, (as through the fire-pot of a boiler), it will, in its passage, combine with the largest proportion of carbon: that is, one and one-third pounds of oxygen to one pound of carbon, for the simplest of reasons, viz: That all and more than all the carbon is pi-esent that the oxygen can possiblj' combine with, and will appear at the top of the tire as carbonic oxide, an inflammable gas, capable of a second combustion, and of producing the residue of the heat, provided the other equivalent, or one and one-third pounds of oxygen be furnished; but if all the air is passed up through the grate and tire-pot, there can be no ox3'gen above the tire, and therefore, that Avhich is capable (by a second combustion) of producing five-sevenths of the heat, passes up the chimney and is lost. What has preceeded applies to fixed carbon (coke or anthracite coal). If bituminous coal is the fuel, a still more disastrous condition obtains, for the fresh coal is placed on the iop of the fire, and the volatile carbon (that which produces the smoke) is driven off by the heat beneath it, and as there is no oxygen present to combine with it, must pass up the chimney, not only a loss to the owner, but a damage to all within its in- influence. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 105 The above are the laws of combustion, and the facts as they exist, if the boiler is perfectly and accurately constructed, in other words is air tight. Fortunately boilers are not perfectly constructed, and any inac- curacies of construction that admit above the fire decrease to that extent the losses named; but I submit that to depend upon such means to counteract the effects of wrong principles, or, as is too frequently the case, of the absence of principles, is in accordance with neither propriety nor economy. Moreover an opening, or openings, that would ap- propriate a proper supply of air above the fire, for rapid combustion^ would be so greatly in excess of a moderate or slow fire, as to utterly nullify the good effects produced during rapid combustion. Or, if the volume of air was nearly correct for a slow fire, it would be insufficient during rapid combustion. In fact, to get the right results, the air supply must be in proportion to the amount of heat desired ; slip-shod methods will not do. If the foregoing statements are correct, a boiler to produce the best results, must combine the following points: For the Production of Heat. 1st. An equable supply of coal to the fire, so as to maintain it in proper quantity, which can only be done by the use of a magazine. It i& by no means necessary that, because there is a large quantity of coal in the fire-pot, a large quantity of it must be burned, and a large quantity of heat made. (See law No. 1.) The coal burns only in proportion to the supply of oxygen. 2d. a means of controlling the admission of air, both above and below the fire, and of maintaining the relative proportion for all rates of combustion. If we want more heat we must admit more air beneath the fire, which will necessitate the admission of more air above the fire, to change the carbonic oxide made into carbonic acid. 3d. The admission of air below the fire is a simple matter, as it will inevitably pass through the tire and combine with the carbon of the coal. The admission of air above the fire is quite another thing, for it is not sufficient to admit the requisite amount of air, but absolutely essential that it be intimately mixed with the combustible gas, which can only be done by means of small jets, properly applied. 4th. Combustion can only be maintained at a high temperature — the higher the better — (See law No. 2), hence, any attempt to produce combustion in small pipes or spaces— surrounded by watei- — must inevi- . tably fail. The nearer we get to the body of fire in the fire-pot, the better the result. The further removed, the more imperfect the result. (See law No. 3.) Bear in mind the motto, "First make the heat." An effort to make and apply the heat at the same time is ruinous. If the above plain conditions are attained, we will have not only a greater amount, but a greater intensity of heat from the same fuel, hence greater efficiency and economy. While it is true that almost any amount 106 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. of heat can be made by the imperfect combustion of carbon, it is very, very, hard on the coal-pile and the pocket. The maxium intensity is not attained, and therefore the maximum economy can not be. As soft coal contains a large percentage of volatile matter, it will be apparent that it will require different treatment from coke or anthracite coal. Assuming that such volatile portion constitutes one-third of the whole, it necessarily follows that it will require one-third of the air to burn it, and as it is on top of the fire, its one-third of the air must be ap- plied where it is. After this volatile matter is distilled, there will remain <;oke, being about two-thirds uf the whole, and will require two-thirds of the air to consume it. As before stated, if all of this air were put through the fire it would appear at the top as carbonic oxide and be lost, but if one-half of it (one- third of the whole) were so passed reserving the other half (one-third of the whole) to oxygenate it at the top, a second combustion would occur. It is, I think, plain that for soft coal one-third of the air below and two-thirds above, are the proper proportions, and for hard coal or coke equal portions above and below. I am aware of the radical departure from common practice I make by presenting these views, but having frequently verified, by accurate tests, the goodness of the theory, I am content to abide the issue. Absorption of the Heat. Having made the heat, the next consideration is its economical ab- sorption. While on general principles the larger the absorbing surface, the greater the absorption, the time and position has much to do with its economy. There is a material difference of temperature in the water at the bottom and the top of a boiler. While that at the top may be ready to burst into steam, that at the bottom may be comparatively cool. One heat unit will approximately heat one pound of water one degree Fahren- heit up to the boiling point, 212°; but it requires nine hundred and sixty- six heat units to change one pound of water at 212° into steam at the same temperature. Now, if the intenser heat of the fire can be applied at the top of the water, Avhere so much heat is required, and the more moderate heat to the cooler water lower down, and finally to the cold water at the bottom, the steam will be generated at the top, producing but little motion in the water, while that lower down will be gradually heated and in its turn converted into steam. Boilers so constructed will carry the water with steadiness, and will steam more readily (two very important considerations), while boilers that apply their heat at the bottom must heat their entire contents before they commence to steam, and produce great commotion and consequent unsteadiness. Such boilers apply their partly expended heat to their hottest water, which is incapable of absorbing the heat from the escaping SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 107 Absorption depends on the disparity of the temperatures of bodies in contact, as heretofore shown. The difference between the primal heat in the fire-pot, and the greatest possible temperature of water (at moderate pressure), is very great, whereas that between the expended heat and the comparatively cool water is but small, by comparison. If the above deductions, begotten of long practical experience, shall prove to be profitable to my friends of that most beautiful and attractive of all avocations, the Floi-ists, my object will have been attained. Respectfully submitted by, Jacob S. Williams, St. Louis, Mo. The following communication from Mr. J. M. Jordan was handed in subsequently. It was my purpose after reading the paper prepared by Mr. Williams on combustion, before the Convention of American Florists at Buffalo, to presents some facts to coroborate the theories advanced, but the press of business forbade. I feel that the presentation of a few facts will give that paper a significance it will not posess, if given, as it now stands, unsupported. Fact No. 1. An extended series of tests — 'with instruments — were made with a Williams magazine, soft coal stove, combining all the prin- ciples given in the paper, at the office of the Excelsior Manufacturing Co., of St. Louis, in competition with the best hard and soft coal stoves in the market. (The Williams stoves, furnaces and boilers burn hard and soft coal indifferently.) Over the very best soft coal stove in com- petition, the Williams stove made 101 per cent, more heat per pound of soft coal used. This fact is attested by unimpeachable testimony. Fact No. 2. In company with a number of the Florists of this city, and other interested parties, I witnessed the operations of a steam and hot water boiler, gotten up by Mr. Williams, for house and green- house heating, which contains but 60 square feet of heating surface, and 22-inch circular grate. This boiler raised steam in ten minutes using soft coal, and in one hour evaporated 300 pounds of water from a tem- perature of 80 degrees, an evaporation more than double that made b}' a Florida boiler sitting next to it, which contained one-third more heat- ing surface, and pushed to the utmost, burning hard coal, which strik- ingly illustrates the importance of high temperature of combustion, and the proper application of the intense hfeat it makes. The chimney was smokeless. Fact No. 3. This same boiler was subjected to an eight-hour test, when it evaporated 2016 pounds of water, with 231.8 pounds of com- l)ustible, equal 8.69 pounds of water with one pound of combustible, being within 10 per cent, of the best possible attainable results. Fact No. 4. I have had in use in my store, a hot air furnace of the Williams pattern, and by satisfactory tests, know that with it I make 108 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTIOX. fully 100 per ceiit. more heat, with the same amount and cost of fuel as- compared with ordinary appliances. Theories may be very plausible, yef fallacious, and the Florists of the country have been so unmei'cifully victimized by heating appliances for which superiority has been claimed, that it is time they be put upon their merits. J, M. JOKDAN. Dr. G. E. Fell, of Buffalo, a member of the American Society of Microscopists, was here introduced by tbe Chair. On behalf of that society, he formally extended an invitation to the members of the S. A. F. to attend the entei'tainment appointed for this evening, and inspect the microscopic instruments on exhibition. On motion of Mr. J. D. Rayxolds, the Society, by a unanimous vote, accepted the invitaticm, and tendered its thanks for the same. On motion of Mr. J. D. Rayxolds, the Convention then adjourned until eveninii. thIlrd day — evening. landscape gardening. An essay on Landscape Gardening, by Mr. William McMillan,. of Buffalo, N, Y., was read by its author. It was as follows : Landscape gardening is a subject that embraces a very wild field, only a small corner of which is occupied by the florist. An ornamental landscape is not merely a composition of choice trees, shrubs, grass and flowers, but includes, as well, every inorganic element of nature embodied in the scene. The " lay of the land " — to use a familiar phrase — is, in a double sense, the groundwork of the composition. This includes every form or feature which the earth's surface presents to us, from the flat plain to the beetling cliff, every variety of hill and vale, ridge or dell, bare rock, sterile sand, or rich soil ; and also water, flowing or still, of what- ever volume, large or small. Even the atmosphere must be included as a part of every landscape, for the scene varies with every variation of sunshine or shade, dim haze or clear sky, still air or stirring breeze. The lights and shades of a landscape painting are carefully studied, and whatever is appreciated in the copy is surely of greater value in the original. In the embellishment then of any grounds of sulhcient extent to have a distinctive landscape character, the gardener must take into account all the impressive and attractive natural elements of the place. The general aim of his work will be to make a harmonious combination with the dominant characteristics which nature has already stamped upon the SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 109 site. He will seek a fuller or richer development of the essential, leading features, simply softening what is hard, clothing what is bare, filling out ■what is meagre, and enriching what is beautiful, all in harmony with the original type. He will thus avoid all novel conceits, all conspicuous eccentricities, all incongruous intrusions, and be guided by his under- standing of the laws of nature, as enacted by the ruling Divinity of the scene, and his sympathy with them. I lay special stress on this fundamental principle, because it seems to be so commonly overlooked or ignored in ordinary landscape gardening. In fact, the very opposite rule is followed in much work that is done, and the result receives much popular approval. It is a common thing to value the decorative work on any given site in general proportion to the degree in which it is obviously artificial, new, or peculiar. This unfor- tunate fashion seems to pervade every branch of landscape work. Instead of the artificial being subordinated to the natural, it is made specially prominent, and in some cases it even becomes the " be all and end air' of the scene. For instance, drives and walks are made unneces- sarily broad, or sinuous, or prominent, ol* intrude where not needed. A sharp terrace is formed mainly to display its bold lines, or a channel is dug for an artificial runnel, to give occasion for introducing a bridge. Summer houses, arbors, rockeries, pools, fountain basins and jets (usually dry), clumps of trees and shrubs, or beds of flowers and foliage plants, are stuck around promiscuously in conspicuous sites, without any fitting i-elation to the natural conditions of the landscape. A common phase of the same taste is shown in the popularity of the class of plants which propagators call " sports." This includes that numerous list which pads out the pages of most catalogues, the endless varieties with the leaves abnormally shaped or colored, or with a droop- ing or contorted or dwarfed habit of growth. Very few of the plants of this class are as hardy, vigorous, and healthy as the normal type. It is probable that their peculiarities in color or habit are due to some unhealthy condition of the sap or defect in the channels of circulation. But in spite of this relatively weak growth, sickly color, or deformed shape, they are all popular favorites. The paler and feebler and more distorted the growth, the more they are liked, and petted and pampered. A few of the best of this class may be sparingly planted as foils or speci- mens or curiosities merely, but never in proportions to rival those of the true type of each species. For general use, the natural color and shape are more pleasing and satisfactory, not only because more vigorous and durable, but also because they are in accord with the true order of nature, while the others are not. Nature, in fact, disowns her "freaks" of this sort by the general sterility of such offsjiring. Their reproduction depends wholly on artificial propagation. It were better to let them all die a natural death than to treat them as if they were nature's finest productions. Her sanction to their continued existence is given only when the seed, if produced at all, is true to the parent. no PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. The variation of plants under domestication is no doubt a part of the true economy of nature. "When the offspring is equally healthy, hardy, and comely as the parent or type, the propagation of the new forms may be desirable. But why should we rescue from their natural fate of extinction so many variations that have defective vitality or some con- stitutional deformity ? For example, most of our so-called " weeping'' trees are of this class. In the Weeping Willow, White Birch, and others, where the young twigs are long and slender, the pendent spray is natural and pleasing to the eye. But where the downward growth is apparently due to some constitutional kink, as in the Weeping Ash or Mountain Ash, the general aspect of the tree gives a painful impression that it is making a prolonged effort to recover from some crushing accident. A similar unpleasant feeling is aroused at seeing the healthy green, so natural to all foliage in the growing state, becoming blanched with white, jaundiced with yellow, or livid with purple. It is fortunate that plants, notwithstanding much cruel treatment by cultivators, never become subject to a " fit of the blues." If by some violent medication or heroic surgery our " professors of plant propagation " could produce blue leaves, their triumph would be complete, and the new color in foliage would at once lead all the rest in popular favor. The prevalent fashion of using plants with leaves of unnatural hues is most strongly shown in the rapid rise and wide extension of this prac- tice for decorative work in gardens and lawns. " Carpet bedding " and " ribbon gardening " have become an important branch of the gardener's work, and even of the florist's. The trade of the commercial florist in foliage plants is probably greater than in plants grown for the flower garden. Though this is a society of florists, it is quite probable that their interest in landscape gardening is due more to this class of foliage plants than to old-fashioned garden flowers. The proper fitting and furnishing of the flower garden, or rather, the new foliage garden, and its relation to adjacent grounds, are, therefore, to you the most important parts of my subject. What then are the ruling principles which should govern in the decorative work of a garden ? In this, as in all other things, there can be no absolute standard of taste. Personal preferences will vary as the early associations and later education of each individual may vary. But good taste has certain recognized canons by which it may in a general way be judged. There are some fundamental principles accepted by the common consent of the community because in accordance with common sense. On strictly private estates, where chiefly the eye of the owner is to be gratified, he may ride to his heart's content any hobby that may please him. But in places exposed largely to the public eye, as in ordinar)-^ villa grounds, suburban gardens, and public parks, it is well to have some respect for long established usuage, and conform more or less to the general customs of the time and place. Novel ideas will be introduced modestly, and not generally adopted till they have stood the test of the SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS 111 fullest criticism. This means more than the ready applause of the popu- lace, which daring novelty is sure to elicit; more than the hot-bed stimulus of a fleeting fashion, however popular for a time. Some of these leading principles, which should guide the landscape gardener, may here be briefly stated. Flowers and showy foliage, being professedly used for ornament, should, of course, occupy the choicest site of the home grounds. The Avork being necessarily formal and artificial, there will be no incongruity in the close proximity of rigid lines ; and the dwelling house may be as near as will best suit the general convenience in the use and enjoyment of the garden The nature and extent of the collection will of coui-se vary with the taste and means of the owner. The finer the design, and the greater the vaiiety of plants, the better, so long as there is ample room for all in fitting proportion to the intrinsic merits of each kind, and to the general plan of the whole garden. It is well not to make any ambitious or pretentious display unless it can be easily and willingly kept in perfect order at all times. The immediate setting or surrounding of the garden should be in keeping with the central design. It is poor taste to make a gaudy show of fine flowers or bright foliage if adjacent grounds are weedy and seedy. It is equally bad taste to intrude such plants in formal masses into outlying portions of the grounds mainly devoted to other uses. Even on the ordinary lawn the quiet repose of the green sward may be disturbed by some garish mass of high colors. The discord is equally great when formal beds of like character are scattered along the lawn border amid irregular groups of shrubbery. This incongruity lasts the year round, for after the tender exotics die or are removed, the bald plots look equally foreign to turf and coppice. A lawn is one thing, a flower garden another. Grass has recently sup- planted gravel in the garden, thanks to the lawn mower. But only in city lots can the plants be properly in such relative proportions to the turf as to convey the idea of both garden and lawn. In furnishing the flower garden, the selection of plants has radically changed with the introduction of " carpet bedding." Old-fashioned flowers are now at a discount, and in fact all kinds of flowers unless the color be intense, or strongly variegated or blotched. Delicate tints and shadings, or fine perfume, are of little account. What is wanted is color only, and color that will strike the eye a long way off, and even then it must be set in large masses to have the much desired dazzling effect. Quantit}', brilliancy, oddity, novelty, are the chief attractions. The individual plant is nothing, the effect in mass or in combination is every- thing. In foliage plants, high color, strong contrast, and fanciful figures in design, receive the most favor. The individuals are ruthlessly snubbed and pinched to hide the true character of the plant and show forth the art of the planter. Is this new fashion better than the old way ? Formerly flowers were cultivated solely for their individual qualities. Delicacy of tints and lines 112 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTIOK. was more valued than strong color, and fine perfumes more than either. Our regard for them was iu direct proportion to our knowledge of the finer traits of character gained only by intimate acquaintance with their daily behavior under all circumstances. Our love was for the individual plants rather than for the general assemblage — for the features revealed by close acquaintance, not merely the strong lines seen from afar. It was won by the true test of long familiarity instead of " at first sight " bj' fascinating novelty. The general aspect of mixed borders of bulbs, annuals, perennials, and sweet-smelling herbs, or of miscellaneous collections of favorite flowers in rectangular panels, was not so neat and trim as clipped beds of fancy forms on shaven lawns; but all the season through, from the first Snowdrop to the latest Aster, each day brought another flower into bloom, and an ever-changing phase in the annual growth of each plant to maturity. Our chief foliage plants in this latitude do not last quite four months, and their general aspect is the same from the first day to the last, except only in the density of the foliage, or a slight increase of color. Color apart, a bed of pot herbs has less sameness throughout the season, while the fragrance their leaves exhale is a constant source of pleasure, more refined than can be given through the eye by any varie- gated leaves, however finel}- veined, stained, mottled, spotted, or splashed. To the true lover of flowers, high color, either in leaf or blossom, is but one of many points of interest. The habit of growth, from the swelling bud to the fading leaf, may be a greater source of enjoyment, or the fragrance of the bloom may be the chief attraction, as in Sweet Alyssum, Mignonette, Heliotrope, Violet, and Lily of the Valley. Where the interest lies chiefly in the foliage, such bedding plants as give a tropical luxuriance of growth are surely a finer sight than any mixture of the carpet bedding class. Various kinds of Canna, Caladium, Aralia, and Castor Oil plant are commonly used in such beds, but there are many others of like character. Their rapid growth and great size at maturity give a sub-tropical aspect to the group. Some of the sedges and grasses of warm climates are especially beautiful and effective for this purpose. Some plants of this class have a striped variegation with a truly natural look and much real beauty. It may have originated as a " sport" but when it has long been known it convej's no hint of being odd or ephemeral. The Eulalia, striped Maize, and even the old- fashioned Gardener's Garter are well-known examples. If variety, richness, and contrast of color be the chief aim of the florist, why should he seek it in leaves of plants, beyond the natural range from the lightest gray to the darkest green, which nature spon- taneously exhibits ? The shades of green are so infinite that no two species of plants have exactly the same hue, and the manner in which these mingle and blend in any natural landscape, if closely studied and copied, will give more real pleasure than the highest art in arabesque SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLOKISTS. 113 designs in wliite, yellow, and red. If all the colors of the rainbow be wanted in a group, they may be furnished in flowers. Every shade imaginable may be matched by some plant. But the taste is surely morbid that would seek to combine in one group any greater variet}' of tint than may be furnished in many cases by a single genus, as in the Tulip, Hyacinth, Phlox, Dahlia, Hollyhock, or Columbine. Yet the hunt for a blue Dahlia or Hollyhock, a yellow Aster or Verbena, is still kept up, and is akin in spirit to that in which some new mixture of white, yellow, and red in the leaf is sought after. The whole work is false to nature, and the foreign color due to disease or distress, rather than " sport." In the present fashion of using strongly contrasted colors in garden decoration, the strong tendency to run to extremes is well shown in the style of embellishment among the poor for their small dooryards or par- terres. It has been well said that imitation is the sincerest flattery. Hence, we often see in such places a collection of pebbles and cobbles, oyster and clam shells, and such like, arranged in border edgings, rib- bons, and mounds on the Carpet-bedding style. When newly white- Washed these rival in force of color and distinctness of design any foliage bed. The imitation is sometimes very good, and who now can question the taste displayed or the fitness of the materials used? Eound pebbles or even shells make an admirable substitute for the fleshy vegetable rosettes we call " hen and chickens." They will border a bed or outline a figure with equal distinctness, and vary as little in form or aspect dur- ing the season. For inlaid letters in the grass they are even better adapted than the plants we see used. The inscription is clearer and easier to read, and the whitewashed stones and shells are really the most befitting material for such work. Shakespeare wrote it would be folly to " gild refined gold, paint the lily, or add a perfume to the violet." His satire would have lost its fine point if in his day it had been as common as it is in ours, to embellish dooryards and lawns with whitewashed quartz or painted seashells, to decorate graves with dyed Immortelles- and mantlepieces with stained grasses, or add a new scent to a bouquet with drug-store perfumery. That the taste is corrupt which approves or applauds the prevalent practices of gardeners in this line, is sufficiently shown by the obvious tendency of the fashion. The motive is not to encourage an intimate acquaintance with flowers or plants, but simply to show what brilliant or bizarre effects can be produced by ingenious combinations of strange colors. Hence the demand for novelty and intricacy increases from year to year, and the strain after effect continues till the laborious effort becomes grotesque or burlesque. The first designs in ribbons, bands, diamonds, stars, crescents, crosses, crowns, hearts, anchors, and such like, no longer suffice. In like manner simple figures of the geometric pattern are only of use while novel. They must gradually grow in elab- orate intricacy till simple wheels and dials become a blind maze of scrolls 114 PROCEEDIXGS OF FIFTH COXYENTIOX. and convolutions. Then imitations of animals begin and advance from elephants and camels to zebras, giraffes, swans, peacocks, butterflies, snakes and sea serpents. Inscriptions in the grass are also tried, giving perhaps the name of the place, the year or month, or date, the last of course to be changed dailj-, and so on with labored variations till ever)- possible device be exhausted. The same designs give little satisfaction if simplj' renewed yearl}^, for such things once seen have lost the novelty which is their chief claim to attention. The fashion must surely soon run its course because of sheer inabilit}- to produce startling effects. If it were the plants under natural conditions that were visited, their sea- sonal changes might satisfy the eye. But we look at them only in bulk to follow the design, and that is alwaj'S the same throughout the season. When invention flags or fails the popular surprise and admiration is drawn out by making larger beds or a greater and more elaborate assort- ment of them. This has led onward and downward till collections of several hundred thousand plants have been set out in some private gar- dens and public grounds. The absurdity of the leading motive in carpet-bedding may be found in listening to the kind of talk we often hear from ardent enthusiasts of the practice. A shallow amateur in such work who has not before seen the highest art in this line visits some notable display on some fine pri- vate estate or large public ground, and on his return regales his gaping friends with some such description as this: ''You can form no idea of the immense quantity of plants in such a garden. A ten-acre lot would be well filled if all were put together. The edgings and ribbons, if strung out on end, would measure over a mile. They were of nearly every imaginable color you can find in the stores. The ring-streaked, speckled and spotted plants, and those with all shades of bronze and gold were legion. They were set out with the most wonderful ingenuity into so many patterns that carpet-bedding was no name for it. There were Turkish rugs, church windows, wheels within wheels, figures of animals, statuary, fancy i^enmanship and plain print, and elegant figures of all kinds in geometry, trigonometr}- and astronomy." "What? Astronomy! "Why certainly." "The first thing that struck ni}' eye was a bright bed of fire-red Coleus, a circular mound raised high up in the form of a half globe. That was a sunset when there is a thick haze on the horizon. Near by was a crescent in variegated Alyssum. That was the silver moon. I could not tell whether she was in the last quarter or the first; the horns pointed to the north, and were equally correct for either phase Next £ame a bed that seemed a combination of both the others. Two-thirds of it was filled with the darkest-leaved Coleus, the other third was a crescent of variegated Stevia in bloom. This was an eclipse. I could not at first tell whether it was the sun or the moon that was eclipsed. After a little study I ' got onto ' the gardener's trick. It was either or both, according to your pleasure or fancy. All around were lots of little SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 115 stars and one or two small discs curiously belted and girdled. Having seen pictures of the telescopic appearance of Jupiter and Saturn I at once divined the meaning. "There were anj^ number of figures of men and beasts and birds and fishes. A military officer in full uniform was very imposing. A base ball player with club, and two prize fighters in full tilt looked dan- gerous. A boat race of two boats, and two rowers in each pulling the the oars, was quite exciting. In statuary the finest design I saw was a copy of St. George killing the dragon. It was full of spirit and action. A little puff of wind now and again crossing the dragon's head made his jaws seem to open and shut quickly. The feathery stuff used for the tail of the steed actually whisked gently in the breeze. " The brightest spot of all had a display of flags of all the leading nations. The tricolor, the union jack and even the stars and stripes were easily imitated, but some of the others tried the highest art of the gardener. In the geometry section I was for a long while puzzled by a most intricate figure, the meaning of which I could not make out. At last I detected a faint outline of an arch spanning the whole; that gave me the clew. It was the tough problem in Euclid called the ' asses' bridge.' I remember how it puzzled me when at school, and it is just as hard to see through it in a flower bed." This " traveler's tale," like the plants he saw, was perhaps rather high colored, but it is in the same line with the general run of such talk. He may have followed the wrong cue at times, but he did not stray far from the right track. A lively imagination may have seen some figures and emblems not intended by the designer. But worse things than any here described have been actually done. Butterflies have been attempted in a combination of leaves and flowers, living and dead, trained to a frame and set in high relief that they may seem merely to touch mother «arth. For special gala occasions models of swans have been covered with newly detached petals of Water Lilies, and set afloat on artificial ponds. Calendars, sun dials and weather vanes have been tricked out in living plants, with painstaking care to furnish daily some useful informa- tion, in no other way obtainable, about the weather, the date of the month, and time of day (if the sun shine). These ridiculous conceits, and all other monstrous creations of this kind, are strictly in accord with the ruling motive of the simplest work in the same line. It is either folly or falsehood from beginning to end, because so at variance with the " eter- nal fitness of things." The many odd and whimsical patterns into which foliage plants are woven are in degree only (not in kind) more objectional than the mere grouping together of large masses of strong color of every hue. Were this display confined to flowers only, it wouldjnot perhaps be so glaringly offensive as in foliage, because in flowers brightness and endless variety of color are natural. But to collect together, even in flowers, all the strongest colors we can find, and to mass them into strongly contrasted 116 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVEXTION. bands and figures in tlie present bedding out style, would surely not be considered in good taste. Should we not seek for rich shades rather thau glaring contrasts, for quality rather than quantity? As a lady of fashion once wittily said, " Do we measure beauty bj^ the square yard?"' Strange though it may seem, there are some persons who would prefer one sweet Violet to one acre of Coleus. But in carpet-bedding it is the broadest carpets and the boldest patterns that draw the biggest crowds. To the commercial florist that is a better " trade mark" than the " government stamp." Whether it elevates or degrades the public taste seems of less consequence. But Fashion is a fickle minded queen, especially to subjects of her own sex. When a fancy notion of no intrinsic value has literally been ■ run into the ground, as this one has been, a slight hint from the Throne would quickly change the vogue. Florists now-a-da3-s are like milliner& in their abject dependence on the latest whim of her Majesty. It maj' therefore be more profitable in the long run to give timel}' regard to the more general cultivation of such bedding plants as will attract attention by some admirable quality inherent in each individual plant, whether it be in flower, fragrance, fruit, foliage or form. To embellish a garden with such plants, however. uninviting at first it may be to the ignorant^ will give more real enjoyment to the true lover of flowers than to embla- zon it with merely so much high color cleverly arranged. In other things a fondness for loud colors is not cc^nsidered in good taste or a sign of refinement. Take dress for instance. The phrase, " barbaric pearl and gold " is as applicable to the color as to the richness of the appai'el. The fashions in dress of the Chinaman, the Arab, and the Turk are not copied by civilized nations, or if imitated at all it is done only by ignorant and foolish people. Aunt Dinah may go to her work in the cotton field in a yellow skirt, blue wrap, and red bandana. Giddy girls may wear " D0II3' Varden " calicoes, and silly dudes loud tartans, only to be laughed at by sensible people. The circus clown is true to his assumed character in his suit of strongly marked stripes and bars, and Shakespeare's fool quite consistently exclaims, "Motley is the only wear." When we dress up a garden after the same fashion it ought to seem equally barbaric and foolish, except to ignorant or foolish people. True refinement in either case avoids the cheap and conspicuous, and selects for the richest adornment the choicest material and the softest harmony of tints. Some of you perhaps may say that " as gardens are made expressly for show and ornament wh)- not bedeck them with anything and every- thing that is bright and beautiful?" But what is the beautiful? "Aye, there's the rub." Xo satisfactory answer can be given to that question. It is a common saying " there is no accounting for tastes." Beauty appeals mainly to the eye, but in some subtle way we become sensible of it through other senses. We may not touch it, but it touches us. In a double sense we judge it by taste as well as by sight. A ripe persimmon SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 117 has a brighter color than the finest apple, but after you try to eat it the bloom on the apple cheek will probably have to your eye the more invit- ing look. There are some persons who doubt if to them "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet," or if with its delicious fragrance gone it would look as sweet. On a warm summer day, when a gentle breeze fans the foliage of the birch or poplar, the rythmical patter struck up by the dancing motion of the joyous leaves, will trill sweet music in the ear, and thus reveal a new glimpse of beauty to the eye of any one lovingly familiar with these trees, and in sympathy with their merry mood at such a time. This phenomenon may not be audible nor visible to other peo- ple, because however intently we may listen or look, the strain will not be heard nor the vision seen, unless our ears be attuned to the right key and our eyes open to receive the light. Our sensibility to the beautiful in nature thus varies with each individual, as so much depends not only ■on the relative acuteness of our senses, but also on constitutional temper- ament, mental faculty, and personal culture. Beauty of color especially depends largely upon the light in which it is seen. For illustration, take these opposing views regarding foliage plants. To you as florists your exotic plants look so beautiful on the greenhouse bench among their own kith and kin, that to your eyes an illusive halo may surround them when you see them set out amid the grass and gravel and shrubbery. When you look at the landscape from the inside of your glasshouses your plants are in the foi'eground, and all else is dim, distant and diminutive, as if seen through the small end of a field glass. I, on the other hand, standing out amid the native vegeta- tion, see only the •' foreign look " of the strange foliage. Because it is ■" not to the manor born " I may look at it through jaundiced eyes. The point of view being so different the objects seen must have an equally different perspective. It will seem to you, therefore, that I have got hold of the wrong end of the telescope. This may all be. Most people see as you do else such •work would not be so popular. But here and there I have met a few whose vision seemed as strangely affected as mine. We may be color blind to the beauty without knowing it, or we look at these things by candle light while you are in the sunshine. My standpoint may be a wrong one, but I simply report things as I see them, and say frankly why I don't like them. To both sides, perhaps, the aphorism may be applicable, " things are not what they seem." The President. According to our programme, the very able paper by Mr. McMillan should receive discussion, but the Chair regrets to state that, as the time of our session is so limited, discussion will have to be dispensed with, especially as the consideration of a paper such as the one we have just heard, if entered upon, could profitably be extended until midnight. Mr. Hendrick. We have time at least to do one thing, and that is 118 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTIOX. to thank Mr. McMillan most cordially for the veiy able and instructive paper he has presented to us. It has been my privilege to read much about gardening and to be acquainted with som^ of the best men in the business, but in the last ten years I have not heard so interesting a state- ment as that which is contained in the excellent satire read to us this evening. I therefore move a vote of thanks to Mr. McMillan. Mr. Hexdrick's motion was adopted by a rising vote, amid much enthusiasm. ORCHIDS. The next item on the programme was an essay on "Orchids, the Nat- ural Habitat of the Leading Varieties," prepared by Mr. I. Fostermann, of Summit, N. J. Mr. JoHX Thorpe (by whom the paper was read, in the absence of its author), prefaced the reading of it as follows: I am sure the Society will be delighted with this essay, as Mr. Fostermann is the best authority on this subject that we have in America. The paper was as follows: Orchids have taken of late years quite an important place in flori- culture, especially in England, where amateurs and florists have expended large sums in the purchase and importation of this, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of Nature's productions. When one sees orchids growing in their native habitat, with their stems laden with flowers on the high branches of trees, one cannot help admiring them. Yes I Orchids are beautiful; for they were created last, as the trees to which they are attached must have stood long before an orchid could grow on them. As a florist's flower the orchid will hold a far more important place in the near future in this country than it has doue in the past, and the day is not far distant, when prices of the different varieties of orchid bloom will be quoted together with roses and other flowers in the horticultural bulletin, and there will be few retail florists which can afford to do with- out them. 1 do not mean to say that the}- will prove as easily procurable as other cut bloom, for there are but few varieties which can be propagated quickly, and in consequence we have to depend upon importations for the the greater part of our stock; although we will be able with common sense and by following Nature's teaching to keep the stock once purchased. I have often heard it remarked orchids are short lived: but how is it that we have to-day far more plants of Cattle3'a labiatte autumnalis, a variety which has not been introduced for nearly half a century, than we had at the time they were imported. I attribute this to the fact that the plant being rare, greater care has been bestowed on the same, and it has not only been kept alive, but successfully gi'own and propagated. One may say, " Why is it still so expensive, there can be only a few plants in existence. What brings the price so high?" I beg you to remember, that we SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 119 have to-day almost 500 persons cultivating orchids to every one at that time, and consequently the demand is far greater. The price of orchids will in my opinion remain about the same for plants suitable for a florist. It may possibly decrease through more careful cultivation, as less plants will perish, and in quicker transit the percentage of live plants out of the importations will be greater. On the other hand, the collector's expenses are daily increasing, hav- ing to go farther into the interior in search of plants, which will in the end balance the present ruling prices. The importer depends to a great extent on the collector in fixing his prices. By his care in collecting such plants as are fit to stand the long journe}', and by carefully packing those gathered, he may enable the importer to sell at a lower figure. While out collecting I considered the packing and shipping the most important work. The man who loves Nature endures the hardshijis in collecting these plants with pleasure, but when once collected ready for packing, his trouble begins; he maybe sevei-al hundred miles in the interior, and have to wait for elephants, native boats or coolies to bring them to the coast; the time is short, or it may be that the coast steamer which passes the nearest port once a month leaves in a few days, and if he fails to make the connection a great number of the plants which have been collected with such care and expense will not be able to survive. If fortunate in catching the coast steamer he begins calculating the day when the steamer leaves for the European or United States port, and is continually worry- ing whether the coast liner will make its connection or not. Once having stowed them carefully in a good place on board, his mind is at rest until the time the next consignment has to be shi pped. The majority of the leading vai'ieties grow in dense forests, partly shaded, high on the trees, where air circulates freely, so that they natu- rally get cooler than palms, ferns, or stove plants which grow underneath where the air is more confined and oppressive. It is well known that the genus Phaljenopsis requires as much or more heat than any orchid, and in its native home I have often hung a thermometer on the trees and it never registered above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the hottest part of the days and often as low as 55 degrees at night. The air where most orchids grow is laden with moisture caused to a great extent by the leaves under- neath, and this keeps the plants from drying entirely up during the dry season which lasts four to six months generall}^ Orchids with soft stems or leaves such as Phaltenopsis and Cypripedes for instance grow in parts where the spell of dry weather is short, near streams, or on rocks, where water is rippling during the greater part of the dry season. Nature has in this manner provided for their sustenance. The average temperature given below is understood to be from 4 in the evening until 9 in the morning. Cattleya trianre grows in the Corderillas of Quindiu on big trees, and thrives best in a moist atmosphere, but the plant itself does not like too much water. Average temperature 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 120 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTIOX. Cattleya Percivaliana is a native of Venezuela, and is found growing in an average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cattleya Bowringeana introduced in 1886 from Guatemala, grows chiefly on I'ocks, in an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cattleya Gaskelliana comes from Xew Grenada, and an average tem- perature of .5.5 degrees suits it best. Cattleya Mossise grows on big trees in Venezuela, in an average tem- perature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cattleya Lawrenceana, discovered by Sir Richard Schomburgk, in British Guiana, many 3-ears ago, but introduced in our gardens only in 188.5. It grows on rocks and trees. Average temperature 65 degrees Fah- renheit. Growing on perpendicular rocks in Munipor, Cypripedium Spiceria- num is found, but not in large plants, owing to the rains washing part of the soil from the hills above, which collects behind the plants, and gets so heavy that they are torn down in the rainy season. Average temperature 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Cypripedium insigne is a native of Xepaul and the Khasia Hills, and grows iu the crevices of dry rocks. Average temperature 50 degrees Fah- renheit. Cypripedium Lawreuceanum comes from Borneo, where it grows in lime stone rocks, 500 to 1500 feet above the level of the sea; the average temperature being 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cypripedium villosum grows in the mountains behind Maulmein (Burmah), on I'ocks, in an average temperature of 00 degrees Fahrenheit. Dendrobium Wardianum is found growing high in the mountains on big trees in Upper liurmah, in an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Dendrobium uobile grows about 4000 feet high in the Khasia Hills on branches of big trees. Average temperature in its native home is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Laelia anceps and Laelia autumnalis are natives of Mexico, and grow in a comparatively dry atmosphere well exposed to the light. Laelia Perriuii grows in an average temperature of 65 degrees, not far from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Odontoglossum Alexandrie inhabits the cool hilly districts of Bogota, and enjoys an average temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Odontoglossum grande comes from Guatemala, where it grows on the joints of trees. Average temperature .50 degrees Fahrenheit. Odontoglossum citrosmum is a native of Mexico, and enjoys an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Oncidium varicosum grows in Brazil, in an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The native home of Oncidium tigrinum is Mexico, where it grows in an average temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Near the sea coast in the Phillipine Islands, PhaUenopsis Schil- SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 121 leriana and P. amabilis is found growing in an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Calanthe vestita and oculata gigantea are natives of Borneo and Malayan Archipelago, and grows in the joints of trees, where decayed leaves and vegetable matter has collected; the average temperature being ■65 degrees. Coelogyne cristata grows about 3000 feet high in the Himalayan mountains on high trees, and shrivels considerably in the dry season, which is from November to June. The average temperature it grows in is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Coelogyne ocellata grows in the Khasia Hills on low shrubs, and rocks, at an elevation of 3000 feet, in a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The varieties here noted I consider the leading and most profitable for florist purposes. I have endeavored in this paper to illustrate in a few words the nat- ural conditions of the leading varieties. If it will assist florists in cultiva- ting these plants more successfully, two ends have been attained, namely: To inci'ease the popularity of orchids, and save money to my brother florists. The reading of the paper closed amid general applause, and the Presi- dent expressed his regret that want of time precluded any discussion of it. QUESTION BOX. The President then took up the programme of the Question Box, and announced, as the firstquestion, the following: "What is the best method of caring for wrought-iron boilers when not in use." Mr. M. A. Hunt, of Terre Haute, Ind. (who was called upon to reply), said: The proper care of our boilers is a very important matter, as they bear in a measure much the same relation to our business as the founda- tions of the building to the superstructure. Let these be faulty and trouble arises. Let our boilers fail at a critical time and disaster and loss are sure to follow. But I find an answer to the question, as to what is the best treat- ment to accord them during their period of rest, a difficult one to give; for like many others it is one on which doctors disagree. I have interviewed several parties to-day, persons prominent either in the erection or care of these structures and find each has a theory or practice of his own. Doubtless we all have our views upon the best methods, as well as our own ways of caring for them, but I am afraid that in the majority of instances they are left to care for themselves. A. tells me to empty the boilers and let them stand dry — good advice if they can be kept so; B. says keep them full; while C. tells me to empty, take off the doors, take out the grates, carefully remove all ashes adher- 122 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTION. ing to the fire-box, and see that there is a free circulation of air through the flues all the time. Now, there are fragments of sound advice in all these ways, but it must be remembered that in four cases out of five, — and I might safely say, I think, nine out of ten, — boilers are in situations damp of themselves, and this dampness is largely increased by every rainfall, causing a continued corrosion of the exposed surfaces. My own way would be this: Leave the boilers full of water, carefully remove from and about them ever3'thing of a nature to retain moisture, thor- oughly cleanse the flues, remove as far as possible all rust or scale from the flue sheets and from all the iron accessible, and then give the whole a thorough dressing with crude oil. Stop all draft so as to prevent damp air from circulating through the flues. Lastly, if your boilers are old, have them carefully inspected by some one competent, if you cannot do it yourself, as soon in the spring as they can be spared, in order that they may ])e in thorough repair for early fall work. The President announced as the next question, -'What are the results of experiments with water-gas." Mr. J. T. Temple, of Davenport. Iowa, responded as follows: The subject of experiments with water-gas for florists' use is one of great interest, but is rather crude, and at the present time T do not know of any instance, in which water-gas is in actual use by florists. Those florists who use natural gas know how clean it is and also the little atten- tion it needs. It is the same with water-gas. The expense of laying mains to supply to parties using water-gas is the greatest obstacle to its general use. There are two kinds of water-gas — one for illuminating and the other for fuel. The cost of gas for illuminating is double that of gas for fuel, and until there are separate mains it will be too expensive for flor- ists' use. "Water-gas for illuminating costs from sixty cents to one dollar and fifty cents per thousand feet. Water-gas for fuel costs from ten cents to thirty cents per thousand feet. Owing to it being inodorous, it has sometimes been diluted with something to give it a scent. Otherwise it would cause great damage through undetected leakage. Since January I have been, with a neighbor, occasionally experiment- ing, and at a cost of sixty cents for twenty-four hours, heated a boiler containing sixty gallons of water to boiling heat, in twenty-five minutes. We afterwards kept it at the same temperature without further attention. The same boiler, Avith fuel gas at thirty cents per thousand feet, did the same work at a cost of twenty-two cents for twenty-four hours, I have also been watching experiments in a foundry with water-gas made with water and naphtha to give a greater heat, and it gave satisfaction. Though the expense was as great as with coal, it was cleaner. "Westing- house is making experiments on account of the natural gas supply possi- bly giving out at Pittsburg. It is expected that water-gas will take the SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. 12S place of natural gas and that it may be supplied at a less rate than that at which natural gas is now supplied. The President called for a reply to the next question, viz.: " What are the advantages of the electric light," but no response was made and the question was passed over. The next question, viz: "What is the experience in the use of petroleum," was responded to by Mr. Charles L. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell said: Ladies and gentlemen, if any of you should ask me for my advice as to the use of petroleum, I would advise you, unless I knew all the circumstances of the case, to keep the heating that you have unless you have investigated very carefully all your facilities with reference to heating by petroleum. I say this although I am using: petroleum successfully and am more than satisfied with it. But there are certain conditions which should be understood by all those who wish to use it. In the first place, it cannot be successfully used, so far as I know, with a hot water apparatus, unless you use a steam boiler at high pressure as an auxiliary. In the second place, if you use steam for heat- ing you must also use an auxiliary boiler at high pressure, unless you can get the steam in your boilers for that high pressure and reduce where the steam enters the house. The reason of this is that any burner that is used for petroleum requires either steam at high pressure to operate it or else an air pump, run by steam at high pressure, to feed the oil to the boiler at high pressure. My heating is done by high pressure steam boilers and therefore I have no trouble with it. If you have the conditions that will enable you to use oil, the next question is as to the expense. Many loose statements are made about the saving in oil. Figure it out yourself on the basis that about 120 gallons of crude oil are about equal to one ton of coal in heating capacity, and about equal to twenty-seven bushels of Pittsburg coal in heating capacity. If you are not on a railroad then the question of hauling arises. If you are going to use oil, you must first provide a tank in which to keep it, and that tank must be of iron; if you are going to haul oil you must provide a tank-wagon made of iron, in which to haul it; and if you desire to be safe from fire you must make many arrangements that are expensive and troublesome. If your plant is large enough and your situation such as to enable you to get oil more cheai^ly than coal, you will find it a very satis- factory fuel, as the fire requires little or no attention. It is almost auto- matic. But if you have to haul oil, or your plant is a small one, or you have to use hot water, you had better be very careful before undertaking to change to oil, as you may find that the additional expense and the larger investment will more than outweigh or overbalance au}^ saving; that you might make. We had cheap oil at Cincinnati, and our fuel bill with coal was about 124 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH CONVENTIOX. ^1,800 a year. With oil it amounts to about SI, 200. There is a saving, as you see, of SOOO, or about thirty-three per cent. But against that you must make allowance for the expense of fitting for the burning of oil, which in our case represented something like §2,000. Of course that requires to be renewed from time to time. Therefore, although oil makes a very satisfactory fire, do not experiment with it unless you are satisfied, from your situation and the size of your plant, that it is not merely an experiment, but that you can surely make an actual saving. [Applause.] Mr. E. G. Hill. Mr. President, I think we ought to carefully take into consideration what Mr, Mitchell has said to us in regard to oil, and its application to our boilers. He has given this question careful thought. He has experimented with it perhaps more than any other man in the profession in this country. More than that, he has had a device of his own for the burning of this oil. "What he has said about it we can depend on. The President announced as the next question, "Best method of packing plants for express." He stated that, as it had been fully answered last year, the question would now be passed over. For the same reason the next question, " Materials for Flues," would be also passed without discussion. In reply to the next and last question on the programme, " How to prevent waste of fuel," he said his answer would be to study the paper read by Mr. Jordan at the morning session, as it ■contained a more intelligent answer than could now be made in the few minutes which remained. THE NATIONAL FLOWER. The President here called for a report from the Committee on the National Flower. Mr. Robert Craig, Chairman of the Committee, responded: Mr. President, your committee report that they have given much considera- tion to the subject assigned to them, without being able to recommend any particular tlower. There are so many candidates for favor and such a diversity of opinion on the subject that it is impossible, at the present time, to select a flower with any probability that it will be accepted by the people of the United States with any degree of unanimit}'. It is bel- ter, in the judgment of the committee, to leave the matter open for dis- cussion. On motion of Mr. W. K. Harris, of Philadelphia, the report was received and the committee ordered to be continued. A most artistic little souvenir containing beautifully colored plates -of the " Golden Rod " and " Mayflower " was received from Messrs. L. Prang & Co., Lithographers, of Boston, together with a communication outlining their plan of soliciting and recording the preferences of people throughout the countrj' on the selection of an appropriate National SOCIETY OP AMERICAN FLORISTS. 125 Flower. The communication was referred to the Committee on National Flower. PRESENTATION TO TREASURER HUNT. Mr. John Thorpe (to whom the floor was here awarded) said : Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : At a meeting held by the members from New York, yesterday morning, the duties and onerous labors of various otficers were discussed and a conclusion arrived at in regard to one oflicer which was this: our worthy treasurer, Mr. Hunt, has borne the brunt of the battle from the beginning to this time without wavering. He has done his duty in a manner that could not be excelled by any one. He has given his valuable time to this Society without murmur and without any consideration as to the result in its effect upon his business. We,. the members from New York, thought it would be api^ropriate to ask Mr. Hunt to accept a present from the Society in the shape of a sum of money not to exceed .S200. [Applause.] I make a motion to that effect. Mr. Charles L. Mitchell. Mr. President, I second that motion. The President. Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard the propo- sition, and the Chair thinks it is a very just one. It is that this Society tender to Mr. Hunt a sum of money not exceeding .^200. [Cries for the question.] Mr. Myron A. Hunt. Mr. President, I believe I have a right to speak with some authority on that question before the vote is taken. The proposition has taken me completely by surprise. So far as John Thorpe is concerned, I can only wish that he owned the earth, for we would all then have a slice of it. As tc the question itself, I have to say that this motion is one that ought not to prevail, as I have been in a position to watch the linances of this Society, as you all know, and I feel that, in the present state of those finances, no such sum of money should be awarded for the purpose indicated. It is true I have done what I could, from the organization of this Society to the present day, to promote its interests [applause], and I have been glad to do it. I shall continue to do all that I can, I hope, as long as 1 draw breath. But, gentlemen, the honor you have conferred upon me from year to year, by sustaining me in that position, is one that I have appreciated, and it is all the pay I want. [Long continued applause, and renewed calls for the question.] The motion was here adopted by a unanimous vote. uniformity in pots. Mr. A. H. Hews, of North Cambridge, Mass., moved the adoption of the following resolution : Whereas, There has never been recorded in the record of the pro- ceedings of this Society any endorsement of the action of the Standard Pot Committee; therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that their action in providing uniform sizes and shapes is approved by this Convention. 126 PROCEEDINGS OF FIFTH COXVENTION. Mr. Robert Craig. Mr. President, I take pleasure in seconding that resolution. I am glad to have Mr. Hews and all the potters take an active interest in this matter; and inasmuch as this question has been raised, it would be better to have a declaration in regard to the standard pot go upon our official record. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote. Mr, Craig. Mr. President, I would now like to make a motion in connection with this pot matter, so that the subject may be finally dis- posed of. I therefore move that the Executive Committee be authorized to award, at our meeting next year, a certificate of merit to the potter manufacturing a flower pot which shall most nearly conform to the stand- ard as adopted by the committee. Mr. Craig's motion was adopted b}' a unanimous vote. FINAL RESOLUTIONS. Mr. L. H. Foster, from the Committee on Pinal Resolutions, reported the following resolution: Be it resolved, That the thanks of the Convention are due to the offi- cers of this Society for the manner in which they have conducted the business of its sessions. That the thanks of every member of this Society are due to the offi- cers of the Society for the effective manner in which they have dis- charged their duties during the past year; and particularly to the Execu- tive Committee for the arrangements whereb}' the programme has been strictly adhered to. That this committee view with favor the change from three to two sessions daily. That the thanks of the Society are due to the Buffalo Florists' Club for the hospitality kindly extended to the members in so many ways, and for the thorough manner in which the Club's programme of arrange- ments was carried out; and to the Maj'or of Buffalo for his kind welcome to the city. That our thanks are also clue to the several essayists for their able papers, all of which were heartily appreciated; and also to the gentlemen who so ably answered the questions assigned to them. That the Buffalo press is entitled to our thanks for full and interest- ing reports of the sessions of this Convention. The resolution was adopted without objection. TWO SESSIONS A DAY. The President suggested that action be taken on the proposed amendment to the Constitution proposing to substitute the word " two" in the place of the word "three," so as to provide for but two sessions daily at future Conventions of the Society. SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLOKISTS. 127 On motion of Mr. A. P. Calder, the amendment to the Constitution "was adopted, the vote being unanimous. On motion the Convention adjourned. FOURTH DAY. On Friday, August 23d, the members of the Society, together with their lady friends, participated in an excursion to Niagara Falls, a special train for this occasion, and reduced rates to points of interest, having been secured through the efforts of the Buffalo Florists' Club. On their return they sat down to a bountiful banquet as the guests of the Buffalo Florists' Club, whose generous hospitality was still further exemplified by a carriage ride tendered to the visitors after the banquet. The finest streets, public parks, and other objects of interest, were visited, and the whole entertainment was admirably managed and thoroughly enjoyed. WILLIAM J. STEWART, Secretary. APPENDIX. APPKNDIX. OBITUARIES. The committee to whom were assigned the duty of preparing resolu- tions relative to the death of our late esteemed assoQjates, desire to sub- mit the following: Eesolved, That we learn with profound sadness of the deaths of Harry S. Garrow, of Pittsburg, Pa., H. B. Morse, of Natick, Mass.; H. J. McGall, of Orange, N. J.; 1). Wilmot Scott, of Galena, 111.; and John Craig, of London, Ontario; but we are gratified in saying that they left behind them unsullied reputations, and we cherish their memories among those worthy of our highest regard. Resolved^ That we extend to the relatives of our late brethren our sympathy and condolence, and desire to place on record our high appre- ciation of all that was true in the lives of our departed friends, whom we have esteemed for their rtiany virtues ; and whilst keenly feeling their loss, we indulge in the hope that they are now receiving the reward of lives well spent. Besolved, That our action be recorded in the minutes, and a printed ■cop}'^ be sent to the relatives of the deceased. James Hendrick, j. h. dunlop, R. AsMus, Committee. REPORTS OF EXHIBITION COMMITTEES. HERBARIUMS. At the meeting of this Society in New York last year Mr. Peter Henderson offered $100 as a prize for the best arranged and clas- sified herbarium of not less than five hundred distinct species, the prize to be awarded at this meeting. Your committee has great pleasure in reporting that all of the exhibits in this class are of the very highest merit. The premium of .flOO offered by Mr. Peter Henderson, and a diploma, have been awarded to E. W. Oliver, Washington, D. C. The herbarium contains nearly 1,400 species. In the mounting and arrange- ment of the specimens, your committee wish to say that the work has been most skillfully done. In fact, it is absolutely perfect. A very excellent collection is also shown by Mr. J. H. Butterfoss, Lambertsville, N. J. Your committee drew the attention of Mr. Peter Henderson, the donor of the SlOO premium, to this exhibit, and he at once generously contributed S50 as a second premium, which has been awarded to Mr. Butterfoss, together with a diploma. In addition to this your committee has also awarded first-class certificates of merit to Mr. J. H. Brummell, Carroll Station, Baltimore, and to Mrs. A. Gilchrist, West Toronto June- 11 APPENDIX. tion, Ontario. Your committee furthermore wishes to say that of all the exhibits in the building there is not one which has received so much attention and afforded as much pleasure as this one. This goes to show that the work of the Society need not be confined to the narrow limits of commercial floriculture. Wm. Falco^'ER, Wm. R. Smith, ED^^N Lonsdale, John Thorpe, Committee. CUT FLOWERS. Your committee to whom was referred the cut flower exhibit, having attended to the duty assigned to them, respectfully beg leave to submit the following report: A tirst-class certificate of merit to James Vick, of Rochester, for a large and choice collection of Gladiolus. A tirst-class certificate of merit to H. A. Dreer, Riverton, X. J., for collection of new Cannas. This is in view of the attention that is being drawn to this class of plants at the present time, for their beauty and usefulness for out of door decoration. Honorable mention of a collection of Pansies b}' a Buffalo amateur, 3£r. F. 31. Iline, good and varied colors and very good flowers for the summer season. We would also call the attention of the Society to a collection of cut Gloxinias from H. A. Dreer, Riverton, N. J. Tuberous rooted Begonia flowers from the B. A. Elliott Co., Pitts- burg, Pa. Hybrid Tropa'olum flower, from John F. CowelL Buffalo, X. Y. Pond Lilies in variet}', from Benjamin Gray, Maiden, Mass. Pitcher tfc 3Landa, Short Hills, X. J., cut Orchid Blooms and hardy Herbaceous Flowers. And recommend their mention in the forthcoming report of the Society. Thomas Cartledge, Daniel B. Long, Lucius H. Foster. Committee. PLAXTS. Your committee take great pleasure in awarding a first-class certifi- cate of merit to Pitcher & 3fancla, Short Hills, X. J., for their exhibit of Orchids, especially Cypripediums, Anthuriums, and collection of Stove Plants. We recommend honorable mention to the genei-al collections of Palms, Ferns, Draca-nas and Pandanuses exhibited by Bobt. Craig & Bro., H. A. Dreer, and W. K. Harris, all of Philadelphia. They were remarkably clean and well grown. Also honorable mention to B. A. Elliott & Co., Pittsburg, for collection of tuberous Begonias. A seedling Carnation, named Fred Creighton, was exhibited by George Creighton, New Hamburgh, X. Y. APPENDIX. Ill C Thurston, of Ridgewood, N. J., exhibited a seedling Begouia. said to be a cross between Begonia metallica and Begonia sangninea. A very pretty collection of Trop;eolums and Nasturtiums was exhib- ited by J. F. Cowell, Buffalo. Wni. Scott, of Buffalo, exhibited two tine specimens of Lavirus nobilis. The usual effect a long sea journey has on plants was shown by the appearance of the collection of Palms exhibited by C. H. Joosten,l^ew York. L. B. Brague, Hinsdale, Mass., exhibited small evergreens, cut ferns and packing moss for decorative purposes. Your committee, in examining the different collections of plants, noticed that M'ith the exception of one exhibit, all plants are there for the purpose of sale. Furthermore, your committee would recommend in the future to charge for space of all plants exhibited where the intention is to make sales. i. fostermann, , Geo. T. N. Cottam, Julius Eoehrs, George Corbett, Patrick Xorton. Committee. BOILERS. Your committee report that the exhibit of Boilers is, on the whole ^ much the best that the Society has yet had, and is encouraging because it shows that this vital subject is receiving great attention. The following exhibits are shown: 1. Hichardson & Boynton Co., boiler for hot water, with improved and easily operated grate. 2. J. A. Scollay, boiler. We recommend honorable mention for simplicity and strength. 3. The Her endeen Manufacturing Co. shows the " Furman " boiler. Your committee believe that to be a powerful and good apparatus. Cer- titicate of merit awarded. 4. Hitchings & Co., hot water boiler. Certificate of merit for sim- plicity, durability and power. 5. The Exireka Steam Heating Co. shows the " Paxton " boiler. 6. D. E. Howalt shows the "Acme" boiler, durable, simple, pow- erful and easily cleaned. Certificate of merit awarded on the above points. 7. Birdsall Co. shows a coil steam boiler. 8. J. L. Diez shows an excellent solid gutter for greenhouse, good ridge for same, also sash-bars of approved pattern. 9. A. J. Binley, a device for cleaning pots. 10. J. M. Gasser, zinc glazing joints. 11. E. Hippard, ventilating apparatus, safe, simple and strong. A very good point is that the handle of the crank is easily adjusted to any position. Certificate of merit awarded, 12. J. C. Jewett Manufacturing Co., honorable mention for handsome, complete and convenient ice-box for cut flowers. 13. Lockland Lumber Co. makes a good exhibit of sash-bars, also gut- ter and ridge for greenhouse, of approved patterns. IV APPENDIX. 14. Quaker City Machine Works, ventilating apparatus, a good, serviceable machine. 15. Hitchings tfc Co. also exhibits ventilating apparatus. EoBT. Craig, C. B. Whitnall, Jas. Dean, r. L. Harris, F. G. Foster, Chas. F. Evans, Committee. FLOWEE POTS. . Your committee on Flower Pots beg to report honorable mention for D. C. Schojield, of ZSTew Brighton, Pa., for the best standard Pots, they being correct in size, strong and well tinished. Honorable mention of the Wliilldin Pottery Co.''s exhibit, for extra size hand made Pots and Seed and Fern Pans. Also desire to say they have the largest and best display, but the Pots are not correct standard size, although in the opinion of your committee the best finished Pots on exhibition. Honorable mention of the Detroit Flower Pot Go.'s exhibit of orna- mental Chrj'santhemum Pots. AVe believe they will be of great value for exhibition purposes. They also show well made standard Pots. Sipfle, Perkins & Co., of Syracuse, ^N. Y., have a good display of standard Pots that are correct in size. JoHx Burton, J. M. Gasser, J. D. CAR3I0DY, FLORISTS' KEQUISrrES. Your committee takes pleasure in calling attention to the following exhibits : C. S. Ford, a very pretty display of Immortelle Letters and small designs, some of which show considerable skill and taste. 31. M. Bayersdorfer & Co., general display of Florists' Supplies, a very large and creditable displa}' of Baskets, Immortelles, Grasses, Wreaths, and almost everything for florists' use. Certainly a nice exhibit, entitled to a certificate of merit. W. H.Koehler, a very nice display of Doves. Among them were some miniature ones which are entirely new and novel, and likely to be largely used. J. C. Vaughan & Co., a good display of Garden Tools, Grasses, Immortelles, etc. Philadelphia Immortelle Design Co., a neat and very pretty exhibit. F. E. McAllister, good show of Immortelles, Cycas Leaves, Doves, Grasses, etc. Osman & Co., fine exhibit of Garden Tools, etc. The show of Gar- den Syringes is very fine, and well worthy of honorable mention, which has been given it b}'^ the committee. APPENDIX. V M. B. Bunker & Co., a large and line show of Italian Wheat Sheaves made in different styles, some being very unique and pretty. W. C. Krick, honorable mention for artistic work in Immortelles, an exhibit which shows a great amount of skill and taste and does credit to the exhibitor. -ZV". Steffens, novel designs in wire work, which show considerable skill in that line. John Westcott, Samuel Goldring, Henky Michel. John Thorpe, Committee. BULBS. F. E. McAllister, best general collection of Bulbs. First-class certi- ficate of merit. J. C. Vaughan, honorable mention for best L. Candidum. Peter Henderson & Co., honorable mention for best L. Harrisii. E. AsMus, Wm. K. Harris, J. T. A^fTHONY, Denys Zirngiebel. Alex. Murdoch, Committee. MISCELLANE0U;3. J. B. Wotherspoon exhibits an excellent, strong and serviceable water pot, also a very useful fumigator. Smith & Smith, a neat, light and seemingly very strong mailing-box. The Dictionary of Gardening. /. A. Penman exhibits a supple- ment with this valuable work. J. Horace McFarland exhibits a fine line of Forists' Printing', Sam- ples, etc., also the valuable Book of Designs. B. F. Lawrence cfc Co. exhibits the Perfection Bouquet Holder. Honorable mention. Milsom Bendering & Fertilizing Co., exhibits very fine samples of Cyclone Bone Meal, Excelsior Plant Food, and Lawn Fertilizer. D. B. Bong exhibits Photographs of Floral Designs, etc., very useful for retail florists. C. J. Kogge exhibits a useful hose mender. Honorable mention. Wm. G. Bertermann, James McKenxa, J. C. Vaughan, David Bearn, Committee. VI APPENDIX. FLORISTS' HAIL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. The annual meeting of the Florists' Hail Association of America, was held on Wednesday, August 2Ist, at 3 p.m. President Jordan in the Chair. The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were read and accepted. The following amendments to the by-laws were passed: Resolved, That Section 2 of Article Y., be amended to read, five hun- dred dollars instead (5f two hundred. Resolved, That members be allowed to increase their insurance by either one-half or a whole assessment, and members so increasing their insurance shall receive a x>ro rata advance upon the amount designated in Section 1 of Article YII., as payment of loss. Resolved, That the Secretary be allowed fifteen cents per thousand square feet of glass insured by him while traveling. The Secretary's report was as follows: After over two years of practical working, we are ready to assert that to-day no more perfect system of insurance exists on the American continent than that adopted by the Florists' Hail Association of America. One hundred and forty-two persons having banded themselves together for the purpose of securing themselves against loss by hail, find that after paying all losses and expenses from June 1, 1S87, to August 12, 1889 (except the salary of the Secretary for the past year and a small bill for printing), they have a fund of So61.5!» in hand. In addition to this the membership fee has accumulated a reserve fund of .^743. 07 after deducting S76.2.5 which has been refunded to those who subscribed towards the guarantee-fund and afterwards became members of the Association. The result has been secured to the members of the Florists' Hail Association, by the payment of six cents per hundred square feet of double thick glass, and" eight cents per hundred square feet of single thick glass. The membership fee having been placed at interest, has this year brought to the assessment fund of the Association, the sum of ^33, as will be seen by the Treasurer's report. The total amount of glass now insured is 1,327,240 square feet, of which 734,38() square feet is double thick, and 502,854 square feet is single thick. The to*;al assessments collected upon the same has been S914.37, and the total membership fee S819.32. No assessment other than that paid by members upon joining, has been levied, and it still remains a question of the future, how ohen it may be necessary to levy the same. The glass insured is located in twenty-two states and Winipeg, Mani- toba. The states of Georgia, Alabama and Dakota having been added to those reported last year. The losses paid during the year were, to W. T. Jackson, of Larne'd, Kan., for 29 square feet of double thick glass and 94 square feet of single thick glass, amounting to $6.73. To K. S. Griffith, of Independence," Mo., who lost 391 square feet of single thick glass, the sum of .S19.55. To Joseph W. Losey, president of Oak Grove Cemetery and greenhouses, .$8.73 for 174 square feet of single thick ^lass. To Robert S. Brown of Kansas City, .$49.95 for 35 square feet of double thick glass and 950 square feet of single thick ^lass. To Mrs. J. E. Patton of Great Bend, Kas., $15.00 for 300 square feet of single thick glass, and to Thomas H. Price of Lake Geneva, Wis., the sum of $60.13 for 859 square feet of double thick glass. Making a total of $100.09 paid for glass broken by hail during the past year. An effort on the part of your Secretary to locate the hail belt has met with the following results: So far as he has been able to learn, hail has fallen during the past year at Flatbush, N. Y.; Short Hills, N. J.; APPENDIX. VU Spring Valley,]^. Y. ; Chicago, 111.; St. Igaace, Mich.; Peoria, 111.; Xew Hanover Co., N. C; Liberty, Mo.; Larned, Kas.; Montclair, X. J.; At- lanta, Ga. ; Bell Co., Tex.; Lake Forest, 111.; Danville, Va. ; La Crosse, Wis. ; Independence, Mo. ; Morrison, 111. ; Kansas City, Mo. ; City of Mex- ico, Mex.; Marion, la.; Abiline, Kas.; Bonner Springs, Kas.; Oconomo- woc. Wis.; Cedar Rapids, la.; Oswego, X. Y. ; St. Albans, Vt. ; Martins- burgh, W. Va. ; Great Bend, Kas.; Montreal, Can.; Clinton, la.; Upper Sandusky, O. ; Pembina, Dak. ; Lynn, Mass. ; Prarie du Chien, Wis. ; Lake Geneva, Wis..; and Denver, Col. From Montreal to Mexico, from Den- ver to St. Albans, the florist's fickle structure is as liable to be crushed by hail as to be burned by fire. In conclusion, the correspondence of the Secretary shows that the members of the Association are satisfied with the results attained; and, such being the case it is safe to announce that the Flox'ists' Hail Associa- tion is uo longer an experiment, but an organization to which every florist who is careful to consult his best interests should belong; and with increased membership and strength, there is a field of future usefulness for this Association yet undeveloped and undreamed of. With the active co-operation of every member, the officers and directors can accomplish much during the ensuing year. John &. Esler, Secretary. The Treasurer's report was as follows: Richmond, Ind,, August 16, 1889. Aug. 16, 1888, Total amount on hand, . . . $890 47 " " " to Aug. 16, 1889, advanced assess- ments, . . .S3o3 59 " " " " " " Membership fees, 329 89 S683 48 Less guarantee fund applied, .... 2 65 680 83 July 16, 1889. Interest on 8550 for one year, at 6 per cent., 33 00 $1,604 20 Bills allowed and paid hy check. Sept. 6, 1888. To Secretary Esler, for salary for year ending June 1, 1888, .... $100 00 For record book, 1 00 Oct. 2, " American Florist Co., for advertising, . 11 80 " 14, " Wilson Humphrey & Co., prt'g letter heads, 8 00 Mar. 4, 1889. Hackensack Republican, printing constitu- tion and by-laws, .... Apr. 26, 1888. W. T. Jackson, Larned, Kas., loss by hail. May 27, " Wilson Humphrey & Co., prt'g applications, June 4, " N. S. Griffith, Independence, Mo., lost by hail, June 5, 1888. J. W. Losey, La Crosse, Wis., lost by hail, " 10, " R. S. Brown, Kansas City, Mo., " " " 25, " Mrs. J. E. Patton, Gt.Bend,Kas., " " Aug. 6, " Thos.H. Rice, Lake Geneva, Wis., " " Exp. col., St. drf't, ..... 15 00 f) 73 3 50 19 55 8 73 49 95 15 00 60 13 25 — 299 64 Balance on hand, ... . . . $1,304 66 E. G. Hill, Treasurer. APPENDIX. LIST OF MEMBERS FOR 1889-1890. ALABAMA. Reed, C. H., BirmiDgham. ARKANSAS. Chas. Vestal, Little Rock, Vice-President. Vestal, Charles, Little Rock. | Vestal, Frank, Little Rock. CALIFORNIA. J. H. SiEVERS, San Francisco. Newberger, H., San Francisco. | Sievers, J. H., San Francisco. COLORADO. Wm. Clarke, Colorado Springs, Vice-President. .Beebe, J. E., 438 Arapahoe street, I Braun, G. J., 3Ist& Curtis sts., Denver. Denver. Clarke, William, Colorado Springs. CONNECTICUT. A. N. PiERSON, Cromwell, Vice-President. Austin, Ed. , Suffield. Balen, Jas. D., Moodus. Bishop, James E., Thomaston. Coombs, John, 118 Benton street, Hartford. Clark, Mrs. M. G., Box 31, Willi- mantic. Dickerman, G. A., Chapel street. New Haven. Dallas, A., IG Union st., Waterbury. Flj'nn, Chas. E., Meriden. Geduldig, G., Norwich. Horan, James, Bridgeport. Ives, J. H., Danbury. Lines, C. P., 23 Beers street, New Haven. Lockwood, Jas. L., Stamford. McLean, Chas. A., Sirasbury. McRonald, Thomas, Hartford. Mead, Alex., Greenwich. North, W. E., Plantsville. Pierson, A. N., Cromwell. Peck, J. M., Bristol. Reck, John, Bridgeport. St. John, B.. Darien. Spalding, John, New London. Sanford, C. J., Unionville. Spear, D. A., Asylum St., Hartford. Thorniley, Joshua, New Britain. Whiting, A., Farmington avenue, Hartford. Washburn, D. S., Menden. Wallace, W. E., Hartford. Wiard, F. S., Yalesville. , DAKOTA. Schumacher, J. J.. 105 West avenue, Sioux Falls. DELA"WARE. L. E. Baylis, Wilmington, Vice-President. Baylis, L. E., 9th ward, Wilmington. Brinton, Chas. E., Wilmington. Brown, L. J., Wilmington. Courtney, F., Wilmington, Grant, Henry, Wilmington. Hayden, M. F., Wilmington. Hannam, Henry, Wilmington. Hargadiue, E. C, Felton. Hargadine, R. W., Felton. Lippincott, B. F., Middletown. Sparkes, Charles E., Jr., Wilming- ton. APPENDIX. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Chas. F. Hale, Washington, Vice-President. Balluff, Robert, 2014 I street, N. W., Washington. Brown, Geo. H., 1312 S St., Wash- ington. Clark, W. S., Bladensburg road, Washington. Coleman, Wm., 1219 New York ave., Washington. Durfee, Benj., Washington. Field, Geo., P. 0. Box 619, Wash- ington. Field, Thos., P. 0. Box 619, Wash- ington. Fraser, John, Corcoran Building, Washington. Freeman, J. R. , 14th and E streets, Washington. Ganges, Phillip, Botanic Garden, Washington. Glorius, E. B., 317 R street, N. W., Washington. Gude, Adolfus, Washington. Hale, C. F., 719 14th St., Washington. Kane, Hugh A., Washington. Langdale, J. W., Takoma Park, Washington. McMahon, James, Brightwood. Oliver, Geo. W., Botanic Garden, Washington. Pflster, Henry, Executive Mansion, Washington. Pollock, George, 2i9 Centre Market, Washington. Reynolds, C^Leslie, Botanic Garden,^ Washington. Saul. John. 621 7th street, N. W., Washington. Small, C. A., 14th and G streets, Washington. Small, J. H., 14th and G. streets, Washington. Smith, W. R., Washington. Studer. Nicholas, Washington. Watt. James A., 1625 Madison street, N. W., Washington. Lewis, W. F. FLORIDA. W. F. Lewis, Pensacola, Vice-President. Pensacola. | Rooks, O. P., Gardenia. GEORGIA. G. KiESLiNG, Savannah, Vice-President. Hjort, Peter J., Thomasville. : Oelschig, A. C, Savannah. Kiesling, G., 42-44 Bull street, Sa- Smith, A. W., Americus. vannah. Wachendorff, Ed., Atlanta. ILLINOIS. G. L. Grant, Chicago, and A. C. Allen, Geo. F., 2205 Michigan ave., Chicago. Anthony, J. T., 3425 Prairie avenue, Chicago. Bassett, O. P., Hinsdale. Benthey, Frank F., 175 Wabash ave., Chicago. Bilton, R. C. Lake Forest. Blish, F. D., 507 Maple St., Engle- wood. Boettner, Emile, Park Ridge. Brown, A. C, .527 Walnut street, Springfield. Buckbee, H. W., Rockford. Bultner, E., Chicago. Calvert, E. S., Lake Forest. Calvert, F., Lake Forest. Cantield, A. C, Springfield. Collins, Harry A., Havana. Craig, J. C, 66 Washington street, Chicago. Brown, Springfield, Vice-Presidents. Corten, Theodore. Wright's Grove. Currau, Jos., 31 Washington street, Chicago. Devine, Peter, 387 So. Canal street, Chicago. Dewar, M., Lake Forest. Diez, J, L., 530 No. Halstead street, Chicago. Fisk, C. H., 116 Dearborn street, Chicago. Forster, John S., Evan.ston, Cook County. Franks, Thos., Champaign. Fuller, D. B., 3757 Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago. Gallagher, M. F., 163 Wabash ave., Chicago. Gardner, Mrs. S. P., Hinsdale. Gee, John R., Bloomiugton. Geutemann, C. F. W., Quincy. Gentemann, Wm., Quincy. APPENDIX. ILLINOIS— Continued. Giddings, A., Danville. Grant, G. L., 54 La Salle street, Chicago. Hartwig, Chas., Wright's Grove, Chicago. Hay, Chas. E., Springfield. Heinl, Jas., Jacksonville. Heyde, Edw., 27 Washington street, Chicago. Hobbs, Jos., Evanston. Holmes, Thos., Wheaton. Hopkins, Thos., 3757 Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago. Kanst, Fred., South Park, Chicago. Kennicott, F., 27 Washington street, Chicago. King, F. J., Ottawa. King, Jas., 170 Lake street, Chicago. Klelim, Geo., Arlington Heights. Krohn, Paul, 175 No. Clark street, Chicago. Kropf, John W., CoUinsville. Lane, John, 4801 Lake avenue, Chi- cago. Lau, Paul F.. Turner Park. Mc Adams, Andrew, Hyde Park. McCluer, G. W., Champaign. Miller, E. J., Downer's Grove. Miller, Geo. W., Wright's Grove, Chicago. Newett, Alex., 1797 West 22d street, Chicago. «'Neil, B., Elgin. Oleson, M., Chicago. Packard, J. T., 2205 Michigan ave., Chicago. Packard, E. T., 3425 Prairie avenue. Pankhurst, Wm. Dixon. Pepper, S., Belvidere. Peiser, E. E., 74 State street, Chi- cago. Phelps'; H. L., Springfield. Phoenix, S. T., 146 W. Washington street, Chicago. Raynolds, J. D., Riverside. Reissig, Chas., 31 Washington st. , Chicago. Robinson, J. D.. Bloomington. Schlaack, H.. Elgin. Silliman, I. C, 553 West Madison street. Chicago. Soper. J. J., P. O. Box 1470, Rock- ford. Stanford, Jos., Wheaton. Stromberg, Carl J., Lincoln Park, Chicago. Van Dyke, Mrs. E. A., Shelbyville. Vaughan, J. C, 88 State street, Chicago. Vibberts, W. A., 2205 Michigan ave., Chicago. Walcott, S. A., Batavia. Wallis, Thomas, Havelock. Weiuhober, E., 417 Elm St., Chi- cago. White, Hugh A., Chicago. INDIANA. Fked. Dornek, Lafay Auger, B. L., Fort Wayne. Bertermanu, John, Indianapolis. Bertermann, Wm. G., Indianapolis. Carmody, J. D.. Evansville. Dorner, Fred., Lafayette. Doswell, Geo. W., Fort Wayne. Evans, J. A., Richmond. Fryer, Isaac, Kendallville. Graham, H., Terre Haute. Halbrooks, Wm. , Evansville. Hartje, John, Indianapolis. Heinl, J. G., Terre Haute. Heinl, Lawrence, Terre Haute. Hilker, Mrs. Henry, 124 St. Joseph street, Indianapolis. ette, Vice-President. Hill, E. Gurney, Richmond. Humfeld, S., Cochran. Hunt, M. A., Terre Haute. Jacksou, A. E., Bowmanville. Langstaff, W., Indianapolis. Larsen, John, Indianapolis. Niednagel, J., Evansville. Palmer, Mrs. F. H., La Porte. Reeves, Geo. F., 37 Coburn street, Indianapolis. Shedd, Mrs. E. E., Valparaiso. Troxell, A. M., Knightstown. Wade, John H., Evansville. Wiegand, A., 7th and Illinois streets, Indianapolis. lOW^A, C0NR.4.D Kranz, Muscatine, Vice-President. Barr, F. D., Davenport. Bancroft, Jos,, Cedar Falls. Bather, John R., Clinton. Bills, F. L., Davenport. Bentley, Mrs. Louisa, P. O. Box 160, Dubuque. Casper, L. A., Council Bluffs. Clark, J. M., Des Moines. APPENDIX. lOWA- Coles, Hon. C C, Des Moines. Giberson, T. B., Cedar Kapids. Greene, W., P. O. Box 58, Daven- port. Harkett, W. A., Dubuque. Higley, Henrj' G., 41 Second street, Cedar Rapids. Hoffraeister, B. L., Fort Madison. -Continued. Kelleuberser, J. U., Fort Dodge. Kemble, VV. E., Oslialoosa. Kramer, Judson A., Marion. Kranz, Conrad, Muscatine. Laisle, Ciirist, Keokuk. Mosier, C. A., Box 514, Des Moines. Rennison, J. C., Sioux City. Temple, J. T., Davenport. KANSAS. A. Whitcomb, Lawrence, Vice-President. Coventry, M. J., Fort Scott. Kirkpatrick, Archibald, Leaven- worth. Pierson, Paul M., 11th and Quincy streets, Topeka. Whitcomb, A., Lawrence. Whitcomb, A. H., Lawrence. KENTUCKY, S. J. Thompson, Louisville, Vice-President. Lauer, A., E. Broadway, Louisville. Mann, Wm., Louisville. Nanz, C. G., Owensborough. Haupt, F. C, 247 W. Jefferson, Louisville. Schulz, Jacob, 1325 E. Broadway, Louisville. Power, E., Frankfort. Thompson, Geo., 216 W. Jefferson street, Louisville. Thompson, S. J., Louisville. Walker, Wm., Louisville. Walker, Herbert G., 6444 4th ave., Louisville. LOUISIANA. R. Maitre, New Orleans, Vice-President. Eble, Chas., New Orleans. Eblen, John, Hurst street. New Orleans. Lucien, F., White st., New Orleans. Maitre, R., New Orleans. Onorato, B., New Orleans. MAINE. Jos. A. DiRWAXGER, Portland, Vice-President. Burr, John, Freeport. Dirwanger, Jos. A., Portland. Roak, Geo. M., Auburn. Wallace. Alex., 136 Vaughau street, Portland. MARYLAND. E. A. Seidewitz, Annapolis, Vice-President. Brummel, Jos. H., Carroll station, Baltimore. Campbell, C. G., Pennsylvania ave. Extension, Baltimore. •Cook, John, 318 No. Charles street, Baltimore. Diven, W. N., P. O. Box 55, Laurel, Prince George County. Donn, John, 1st Toll-gate, Harford i-oad, Baltimore. Feast, Wm., 228 No. Charles street, Baltimore. Halliday, Robert J., Pennsylvania avenue. Baltimore. Hermann, Chas., Frederick. Hess, C, Waverly P. O., Baltimore County. . Kress, E.,2506 North ave. , Baltimore. M'Cormack, John, Frederick road, Baltimore. Millman, F. X., Green st. station, Cumberland. Moss, I. H., Govanstown. Nicholson, R. G. , Chestertown. Pentland, Wm. P. L., 115 No. Charles street, Baltimore. Perlich, Herman, 606 So. Broadway, Baltimore. Schary, Chas., Mt. Washington. Seidewitz, E. A., Annapolis. Thomas, Mary J., 329 No. Charles .sti'eet, Baltimore. Wiedey, Chas., Mt. Washington. Wiedey, John, Mt. Washington. Weber, Henry, Oakland. APPENDIX. MASSACHUSETTS . David Allax, Mt. Auburn, and H. F. A. Lange, Worcester, Vice-Presidents: Adams, C.Thompson, West Medway. Allan, David. Mt. Auburn. Astle, Jas., Melrose Highlands. Ball, Peter, Maiden. Becker. Frank, Cambridge Bock, W. A., North Cambridge. Borden, C. P., Taunton. Bowditch. A. C, 32 Webster ave., Somerville. Brague, L. B., Hinsdale. Breed, E. W., Clinton. Brydon, Jas., Yarmouthport. Bunker, M. B., 69 Tremont street, Boston. Calder, A. P., Boylstou st., Boston. Chandler, G. F., South Lancaster. Clapp, E B., 175 Boston street, Dor- chester. Clark, C. E., Springfield. Cook, H. A., Shrewsbury. Cox, Thos.A., Olney St., Dorchester. Crowley, J.. Dedhana. Donovan, T., Natick. Downe, Mrs. L., Fitchl)urg. Downing, H. H., Lynn. Doyle,W. E.. 4?. Tremont St., Boston. Eldridge, R. W., Natick. Elliott, Mrs. W. H., Brighton. Elliott, W. H., Brighton. Ewell, Warren, Dorchester. Fairbauk, A. N., Webster. Finaghty, ]\Lartin, Lenox. Fisher, F. C, South Sudbury. Foster, L. H., Dorchester. Fottler. John, Jr., 26 So. Market st.', Boston. Fuller, J., Leominster. Gale, W. F., Springfield. Gipner, J., Bytield. Goodell, L. W., D wight. Grey, Benj., Maiden. Guinivan, D. H., P. 0. Box 45, Beverly. Haskell. E." S., New Bedford. Hawkes, W. V., Cliftondale. Herrick, N. J., Springfield. Hews, A. H., North Cambridge. Koehler. Hans J., Halifax. Lange, H. F. A., Worcester. Lawrence, H. V.. Falmouth. Manning, J. W., Jr., Reading. Mann, Mary S., Florence. Mathieson, Fred. R., Watertown. Maynard, Prof. S. T., Amherst. McCarthy, N. F., 1 Music Hall place, Boston. Montgomery, Alex., Natick. Mullen, Geo., 17 Chapman place, Boston. Murdock, H. L., West Gardner. Newman, J. R., Winchester. Neil, Sam'l, Dorchester. Nicholson, Wra., Framingham. Norton, M. H., Hotel Berkeley, Boston. Norton, P., Dorchester. O'Brien, Jas.. Jamaica Plain. Osborne, Arthur. Hyde Park. Parker, G. A., Halifax. Parker, Geo. L., Dorchester. Pasell, F. H., New Bedford. Patten, Marcollus A., Lowell. Peck. L. T., (J7 Bromfleld St., Boston. Peirce. Arthur H.. P. O. Box 76^ Raynham. Peirce, Wm., New Bedford. Shaw, E. I)., Holyoke. Sheppard, E., Lowell. Solly, Geo. A.. Springfield. Southworth, H. K., Stoughton. Spooner, W. H., Jamaica Plain. Sprague. F. L. , Hingham Centre. Stewart Win. J., (!7 Bromfleld st., Boston. Tailby, Jos., Wellesley. Temple, F. L., Somerville. Thayer, C. D., 8 Ripley street, Wor- cester. Thorniley, Geo. W. , P. O. Box 32^ Northampton. Walsh. John, Melrose Highlands. Ward. J. M., Peabody. Ward, W. S., Salem.' Welch. P., 165 Tremont street, Boston. Welch, E. J., 165 Tremont street,. Boston. White, John. Pittsfield. Wight, L., Framingham. Wiilard, F. D., P. O. Box 168, Fitchburg. Wood, E. A., West Newton. Young, A. W., So. Hingham. Zirngiebel, D., Needham. MICHIGAN. Jas. G. Hancock, Grand Haven, Vice-President. Arnold, Mrs. E., Grand Rapids. Babsley, H., Detroit. Breitmeyer, J., Detroit. Boehme, A., 45 Fountain street. Battle Creek. Chapman, F. A., Grand Rapids. APPENDIX. Xlll MICHIGAN-Continued. Cousins, Wm., Ann Arbor. Dunkley, Jos., Kalamazoo. Haucock, Jas. G., Grand Haven. Hoknagle, F., Highland Park, Detroit. Jones, D. C, 220 Woodward avenue, Detroit. Knapper, Louis, Agric. College. McCrea, J. W., Battle Creek. Renwick, T. R., Grand Rapids. Smith, Elmer D., Adrian. Smith, Henry, Grand Rapids. Tarpke, G. H., Detroit. Taft, L. R., Agricultural College. Taplin, Miss Emily, Detroit. Taplin, Stephen, 930 Fort street, Detroit. Henry, John, Grand Haven. MINNESOTA. R. J. Mendekhall. Minneapolis, Vice-President. Beales, E. V., Cedar and Second streets. St. Paul. Buude, A. H., 406 E. 7th St., St. Paul. Edlefsen, Louis, St. Paul. Creen, Prof. S. B., St. Anthony Park, Ramsey County. Horubrooke, E. G., 58 E. 2d street, Winona. Malinquist, G., Minneapolis. May, L. L., St. Paul. Mendenhall, Mrs. Abbie G., Minne- apolis. Mendenhall, R. J., Minneapolis. Nagle, E., 1724 1st ave., Minne- apolis. Smith, C. A., Minneapolis. Swanson, Aug. S., St. Paul. Wesseling, Richard, 415 Nicollet avenue, Minneapolis. Wunder, John, Winona. MISSOURI. R. S. Brown, Kansas City, Vice-President. Brown, H. S., Kansas City, Mo. Brown, E. F., Kansas Citjs Mo. Brown, D. S., 1301 Lami street, St. Louis. Brown, R. S., P. O. Box 99, Kansas City. Connon, Chas., 2742 Olive street, St. Louis. Ellison, W., 2602 Olive street, St. Louis. Grifleth, N. S., Independence. Jordan, J. M., 706 Olive street, St. Louis. Juengel, Chas. A., 1841 So. Linn St., St. Louis. Kehrmann, S., Jr., 21 So. Broadway, St. Louis. Kuehn, C. A., 1432 Morgan street, St. Louis. Kellogg, Geo. M., Pleasant Hill. Mclntire, J. W., Fulton Michel, Henry, 1010 Olive street, St. Louis. Nielson, Hans, St. Joseph. Reichard. D. M., St. Joseph. Scliray, Emile, St. Louis. Tesson, R. F., St. Louis. Waldbart, Alex., 3538 Chestnut st., St. Louis. Weber, F. C, 3146 Olive street, St. Louis. Wurst, Eugene, 1301 Lamie street, St. Louis. Wulkop, A., St Louis. Young, Jas., 1406 Olive street, St. Louis. Young, Henry, 1406 Olive street, St. Louis. NEBRASKA. Donohue, A., Omaha. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Wm. Burlingame, Exeter, Vice-President. Burlingame, Wm., Exeter. Buxton, Geo. E., 70 Vine street, Nashua. Cragg, Arthur H. , Stratham. Ellis, Marcus, Keeue. Hoitt, C. W., Nashua. XIV APPENDIX. NEW JERSEY. Julius Roehrs, Carltou Hill, and W. Asinus, Ernst, West Hocoken. Asmus, Rudolph, New Durham. Austin, J. H., Maple Shade, Burling- ton County. Austin, Mrs. H. V., Vineland. Bancroft, Robert C, Haddonfleld. Barkham, "Wra. F., Saddle River. Beldiug, Geo. S., Middletown. Binstead, Geo. W., Summit. Bishop, Wm. R , Burlington. Bohl, F. S., Metuchan. Bridgemau, Thos., Ramsey's. Brown, A. L , East Newark. •Brown, E. J., Summit. Butterfoss, J. H , Lambertville. Chesney, Robert, Mt. Clare. Chinnick. W. J., Trenton. Chitty, H. E., Patterson. Coddington, Lyman B., New Provi- dence. Cosgi-ove. Frank P , Madison. Daifey, P. S., New Durham. Demarest, J. C. , Etna. Denman, C. S , Madison. Dimmock, Alfred, Summit. Doe, Henry, 189 Spring street, Elizabeth. Driscol, Jas., 2.54 Main ave., Passaic. DuRie, W. B., Rahway. Edwards, Theo. E., Bridgtou. Eisele, W. G., Cedar avenue, Long Branch. Esler, Andrew, Saddle River. Esler, John G., Saddle River. Fay, S. J., Llewellyn Park, Orange. Field, S. B., Roselle. Fisher, Chas. L., 15 IG Arctic ave., Atlantic City. Forbes, H. E., Ridgewood. Gardiner, J. G., Jobstown. Goble, Frank C, Verona. Hales, H. W., Ridgewood. Henshaw, Wm., Summit. Jones, Thos., Short Hills. Kennedy, W. S., Madison. Lee, Hugh, Chatham. Lovett, J. T., Little Silver. Macbean, C. A., Lakewood. McKenzie, Kenneth, Morristown. A. M.4NDA, Short Hills, Vice-Presidents, McPherson, Alex., Llewellyn Park, Orange. Mauda. W. A., Short Hills. Marple, C. C, Gloucester City. Mathisou Donald, Euglewood. May, J. N., Summit. McDonald, Robert, Summit. *McGall, Henry J., Orange. McGowan, J., Orange. McMahou, Frank, Sea Bright. Miles. F. W., P. 0. Box 609, Plain- field. Minder, P., Jr., 488 South Orange avenue, Newark. Mitchell, Alex., Mt. Clair. Moore, Frank L., Chatham. Muller, John, West Hoboken. Nash, S. C, Clifton, Passaic Co. Noe, Louis M.. Madison. Offhaus, Otto, 104 Charleston street, Newark. Pearson, John, 98 Storm avenue, Jersey City. Reid, John, Bergen ave., Jersey City. Ribsam, N. J., South Green street, Trenton. Roehrs, Julius. Carlton Hill. Rassbach, Jolin, Bloomfield. Ryan, W. H., Chatham. Saling, Wm. , Rahway. Schmidt, P. A., West End, Long Branch. Schultz A., Phillipsburg. Slaughter, Thos. J , Madison. Steinhoff, Herman, West Hoboken. Stui'tevant, E. D., Bordentowu. Tapliu, Jas., May wood. Thurston, C, Ridgewood. Thurston, W. J., Ramsey's. Tournier, Chas., So. Orange. Towell, Jos., Patterson. Turuley, C. Wm., Camden. Uffler, C, 1516 Arctic ave., Atlantic City. Ward, J. B., Lines Farms. Ward, P. J., Bloomfield. Welsh, Geo., Ramsev. •Williams, J. C, Mt. Clair. ' Witheridge, Chas. , Newark. NEW YORK. John H. Taylor, Bay Side, and Fredk. Schlegel, Rochester, Vice-Pres'ts. Adams, W. A., Buflalo. Alf elder, L., 77 Orchard st., New York. Allen, C. H., Floral Park. Allen C. L., Garden City. * Deceased Allen, J. K., 106 West 24th street. New York. Allen, R. W. , Hudson. Allen, W. S., 36 East 23d St., New York. APPENDIX. NEW YORK-Continued. Anderson, Clias. P., Flushing. Anthony, J. E., Watkius. Baker, C. F., 61 Cornelia St., Utica. Barry, Wm. C, Rochester. Bayard, Horace, 815 8th ave., New York. Benedict, Geo. H., Ulica. Bennett, A. W., Flatbush. Bennett, W. G., Flatbush. Benz, Albert, Douglaston. Bergen, T. V. W., 114 Chambers St., New York. Bergmann, G., Lincoln Road, Flat- bush. Bolze, F. A., 409 5th ave., New York. Boyd, Jas., Rhinebeck. Burns, Alex S., 840 Gth ave., New York. Bussard, Henri, 53 School street, Yonkers. Butler, Miss Sophia D., 226 Lake View avenue, Jamestown. Caldwell, Dr. Geo. 0., Female Asylum, Blackwell's Island. Cappou A. C, Canandaigaa. Carter, Henrv, Newburgh. Childs, J. L.; Floral Park. Classman, Geo., P. O. Box 636, Sing Sing. Cleveland, A. B, 47 Cortlandt St., New York. Cowell, J. F., Bufialo. Comes, W. W., Pearl River. Cooke, Wm., Plattsburgh. Cosarove, Jas., Sparkill. Cottam, Geo. T. N., 57 W. 10th St., New York. Cowan, A. D., 114 Chambers street. New York. Creighton, Geo., New Hamburgh. Daacke, H. A., 22 Dey street, "Netv^ York. Dailledouze, Eugene, Flatbush. Dailledouze, Henry, Flatbush. Dailledouze, Paul. Flatbush. Daniels, W. H., Mamaroueck. Davison, Wm., Nyack. Dean, Jas., Bay Ridge. Deans, D., Long Island City. De PeAV, Peter, Nyack. De Pew, Tunis, Jr., Nyack. Demensy, Alfred, Flatbush. De Veer, J. A., 183 Water st.. New York. Devoy, Peter T., Poughkeepsie. Diesel, Herman, 333 West avenue, Rochester. Dihm, Wm., 48 West 125th st., New York. Ditzenberger, A., Bay Ridge. Dohles, A. L., Waterloo. Dole, C. L. , Lockport. Don, A. L., 114 Chambers St., New York. Drummer H. L., Bath. Donaldson, John, Wiufield Junction, Queen's County. Donohue, Thomas., Bay Ridge. Doroval, Victor S., Woodside. Dudley, Miss H. E., Bath. Edwards, Mrs. E. M. H., Dunkirk. Eger, Wm. C, 825 Union st., Sche- nectady. Elliott, Wm., 54 Deyst., New York. Fagan, W. N., Islip. Falconer, Wm., Glen Cove. Faulis, D., 1482 Broadwav, New York. Forstermann, I., Newton, L. I. Fremd, Chas., Rye. Frost, Adolph, 97, 99 and 101 Tomp- kins street, Cortlandt. Frost, Jas., Watertovvn. Goldring, Fredk., Kenwood, Albany. Goldring, Samuel, 11 No. Pearl St., Albany. Gooding, W. H., Tarry town Heights. Gordon, David, Clifton, S. Island. Gordon, Fred., 71 Broadway, New York. Grant, Geo., Mamaroneck. Haines, E. C., Bedford station. Hale, C. D., 358 Main st., Buffalo. Hall, W. W., 793 Fifth avenue. New York. Hallock, E. v., Queens., Hallock. Nicholas, Queens. Hammond, Beuj., Fishkill. Hammond, Jas. A., 51 West 30th st.. New York. ' Hanft, J. F., 224 5th ave.. New York. Hanft, J. B., New York. Hart, Jas. S., Ill West 30th street, New York. Hay, John S., Oneida. Henderson, Alfred, 35 and 37 Cort- landt St. , New York. Henderson, Chas., 35 and 37 Cort- landt st. New York. Henderson, John, Flushing. Henderson, Peter, 35 and 37 Cort- landt St. , New York. Hendrick, Jas., Albany. Henshaw, Samuel, New Brighton, S. Island. Herendeen, W., Geneva. Hermann, A., 413 East 34th street. New York. Hicks, Geo., Auburn. APPENDIX. NEW YOKK— Continued. Hillebrand, Chas W., Poughkeepsie. Hine,F. M., 853 Prospect ave., Buf- falo. Hitchings, Chas. E., 233 Mercer st., New York. Hofl'inan, E. M.. Elmu'a. Holley, E., Hudson. Horan, E. C, 36 West 29th street, New York. Howalt, D. E., Hyde Park. Hubbard, T. S., Geneva. Hulsebosch, A., P. O. Box 3118, New York. Hunn, C. E., New York Agricultural Exp. Station, Geneva. Hunter, Frank D., 51 W. 30th St., New York. Hyatt, J. Browne, Winfleld Junc- tion, Queen's county. Irwin, Annie E.. 19 Wall St., New York. Jansen, Ed., 124 West 19th St., New York. Jenkins, T. B., Rochester. Jensen. Thorwald, Mamaroneck. Jones, Morris R., Rome. Joosten, C. H.,3Coenties Slip, New York. Kadletz, J., Stapleton KatoU, Fred., 121 Linwood avenue, Buflalo. Keitsch, Chas., Handel St., Buffalo. Keller, J. M., Bay Ridge. Keller, John B., Rochester. Keppler, M., 15 John street, New York. Ketcham, Mrs. A. C, 54 East 10th street. New York. King, W. H., Rochester. Kretschmar, H. G., Flatbush. Kretschmar, J. F. Flatbush. Krick, Geo. M., Elmont. Krick, W. C, 1287 Broadway, Brooklyn. Krombach,' Chas., 181 25th street, Brooklyn. Krulder, C, 109 Clinton ave., Brook- lyn. LaAvreuce, R. F., 196 Pearl street, Buffalo. Leach, John A., P. O. Box 132, Astoria. Legg, Wm., 1015 Ellicott st., Buffalo. Lew. Thos., Yonkers. Lieberles, T. B., 138 Grand st.. New York. Little, Dr. Geo. W., 28 Ridge street. Glens Falls. Long, D. B., 457 Main st., Buffalo. Lynch, M. J., Poughkeepsie. Mansfield, Thos., Lockport. Marc, Chas. J., Woodside. Marquisee, L. E., Syracuse. Mathesen, C. W., 673 Sixth avenue. New York. Mathews, W., Utica. McAllister, F. E., 22 Dey st.. New York. McClenthen, M. N., Baldensville. McConnell, Alex., 739 Sixth avenue, New York. McDonald, O. P., 63 West 14th st., New York. McKay, W. M., 234 Water st., New York. McMillan, Wm., Buffalo. McVey, John. Rondout. Messeberg, Gus., Flatbush. Messeberg, Gustave, Jr., Flatbush. Meissner, P. Bruno, Flatbush. Millang, C., Bayside, Long Island. Millang, F., 1168 Broadway, New York. Miller, E. S., Floral Park, L. I. Miller, R. D., Catskill. Mills, M. H., Binghamtou. Miner. G. Russell. Hornellsville Morgan, Jas , P. O. Box 23, Auburn. MuUius, J. T., Rhinebeck. Munro, Robt., 311 11th st., Brooklyn. Newton, H. G., Nyack. Nilsson, Wm., 'Woodlawn, New York. O'Mara, Patrick, 35 and 37 Cortlandt St., New York. Palmer, W. J., 306 Main street, Buffalo. Palmer, W. J., Jr., 3 W. Geuessest., Buffalo. Parsons, Edw. W., Westchester. Peck, John B., Rye. Penman, J. Aroot, 44 E. 9th St., New York. Phillips, J. v., 82 Montague street, Brooklyn. Pickelmann, Sebastian, Jr., 288 High street, Buffalo. Pierson, F. R., Tarrytown. Plumb, Wm., River Dale. Powles, John R. , Sparkill. Purdy, Jas., 109 West. 41st St., New York. Quinlan, P. R., Syracuse. Ransom, Herbert S., Highland, Ulster County. Rath, E. H., P. 0. Box 525, Flushing. Remsen, Geo. B., Queens. Roehrs.Theo., 153 West 31st street, New York. Rolker, Jos. E., 44 Deyst., New York. APPENDIX. XVll NEW YORK-Continued. Rolker, Winfried, 44 Dey St., New York. Rose, C, 17. So. William st., New York. Ryan, Timothy, Yonkers. Salter, A. A., Rochester. Salter, R. G., Rochester. Savage, Geo., 4!) Bronson avenue, Rochester. Scallem, J. W., 1244 Broadway, New York. Scharff, Julius, E Hinsdale. Schlegel, Fred., 200 South aveuue, Rochester. Schmutz, L., Flatbush. Schnabel, W. H., Croton Falls. Schneider, F., Attica. Schoenfeld, G., Westtield. Schuster, Mrs. T., 519 Herkimer st., Brooklyn. Scollay, John A., 74 Mj'rtle avenue, Brooklyn. Scollay, U. G., Brooklyn. Scott, Mrs. S., Oneouta. Scott, Wm , 479 Main street, Buflalo. Scott, Wm. B., 407 Fifth ave , New York. Sealy, R. E. , Pearsall's, Long Island. Seatou, L. P., Richtield Springs. Seitzer, Chas. F , 84 State st., Utica. Shelly, J. P.,Tuckahoe. Sherber, Herman, Queens. Sheridan, W. F., 721 Sixth avenue, New York. Shuphelt, R. E., Chatham. Siebrecht, H. A., New Rochelle. Siebrecht, Louis, East Hinsdale. Siebrecht, W. H., Astoria. Simmons, J M., Vestal. Sniith, John, Bayside. Smith, Jolin, 122 Ravine avenue, Yonkers. Smith, Wm. G., 12 Yonkers avenue, Yonkers. Spauldiug, Mrs. E. D., Jamestown. Spiro, Jac, 295 Second st., New York. Stetlens, N., 335 East 21st st., New York. Stiles, W. A., Tribune Building, New York. Stone, H. A., Kingston. Strickler, T. S., 523 Albany road, West Troy. Tait, Thos., Port Richmond. Taylor, J. H., Bayside. Terwilliger, S. F., 1 Church street, Albany. Thielniann, Fred., 189 Graham ave., Brookljm. Thorne, Samuel, 71 Wall st.. New York. Thorpe, John, Pearl River. Townsend, B.C., Bay Ridge. Tucker, Wm., New Dorp, Staten Island. Tully, Jas. B., Binghamton. Vick, E. H., Rochester. Vick, Frank H., Rochester. Vick, Jas., Rochester. Wacker, A., Myrtle St., Brooklyn. Wadley, A., 409 5th ave., New York. Waggoner, R. H., 40 Vesey street. New York. Wagner, H., Mt. Vernon. Wall, H. M., 193 West St., New York, Wappermann, H. W., Brooklyn. Weathered, C. B., 46 Marion street, New York. Weimar, E. W., Mt. Vernon. Wettlin, W. A., Hornellsville. Whittle, Alfred E., 56 North Pearl street, Albany. Wilson, W. C, Astoria. Wood, I. C, Fishkill. Wood, L. E., Fishkill. Young, T. H., 54 Dey St., New York. Young, Thos., Jr., 20 West 24th st., New York. Zeller, Chas., Flatbush. Zeller, Emile, Flatbush. Zundel, Chas. H.., Haverstraw. NORTH CAROLINA. Jas. M. Lamb, Fayetteville, Vice-President. Lamb, Jas. M., Fayetteville. | Steinmetz, H., Raleigh. OHIO. W. C. Nolan, Cincinnati, and Robt. George, Painesville, Vice-Presidents. Ahern, J. W., Lake Home, Mount Vernon. Aten, J. M., E. Liverpool. Bauer, P. J., Cleveland. Behrens, H., Middletown. Bonner, Mrs. E. , Xenia. Bonsall, Jos. E , Salem. Brown, Chas., Canton. xvni APPENDIX. OHIO— Continued. Caldwell, Thos., Kirby Eoad, 25th Ward, Cincinnati. Campbell, E. L. G., 275 Jennings avenue., Cleveland. Congdon, A. R., Oberlin. Corbett. George, College Hill. Corbett. Henrj-, College Hill. Critchell, B. P., 4th and Elm streets, Cincinnati. Creasey, J., Steubenville. Drobisch, G., Columbus. Eadie, Miss J. M., Cleveland. Elirgott, R. C, 187 W. 4th street, Cincinnati. Ellison, Edw., Clifton, Cincinnati. Fischer, Jacob, Auburndale. Foy, M. H., Box 147, Sycamore. Gasser, J. M., 101 Euclid avenue, Cleveland. George, Robert, Painesville. Oraham, Adam, Cleveland. Hart, H. A.. West Cleveland. Helleuthal, John R., 4 Moler street, Columbus. Heiul, Geo. A., Toledo. Hippard, E.. Youngstown. Huntsman, F. M., 166 Walnut St., Cincinnati. Huscroft, W. G., 4th and Market sts., Steubenville. Imlay, John D., Zanesville. Jaynes, Harry C, 84 Euclid avenue, Cleveland. Jevpett, G. E., Cleveland. Joseph, Miss Rosa, Pataskala. Kavser, Karl, Ansel ave., Cleve- " land. Koetheu, E. L., Zanesville. Knopf, Albert, Columbus. Kramer, L. R., Wooster. Laiuborn, Leroy L., Alliance. Leitch, Wm. J., Cleveland. Lodder, John, Hamilton. Lomersou, Frank, P. O. Box 302, Columbus. McCullough, Albert, 13 1 Walnut St., Cincinnati. McFadden, F. T., Rose Bank, Sta- tion K, Cincinnati. Milton, Mansfield, Younsstown. Mitchell, C. L., P. O. Box 188 Cin- cinnati. ]\Iurphy, C. H., Urbaua. Murphy, R. J., Beecliwood. Nolan, W. C, Myrtle avenue, Cin- cinnati. Paddock, E. J., Cleveland. Penney, John M., Newark. Perkins, L. A. Kinsman. Peterson, J. A., 42 West 4th street, Cincinnati. Pierce, L. B., Tallmadge. Ritter, Herman H., Dayton. Romans, J. B., Columbus. Schlacter, H., Winton Place. Schmitt, P. A., Glenville. Schramm, B., Toledo. Sears, D. L., Elyria. Simmons, A.T., Geneva. Sonntag, H. L., Cleveland. Stearns^ A. M., Locklaud. Suder, Mrs. E., 147 Summit street, Toledo. Sunderbruch, H. L., 200>2 West 4th street, Cincinnati. Swaby, R. W., Xenia. Templin, R. L., Calla. Thirkildson, P. H., Ironton. Walz, Fred S., Cumrainsville, Cin- cinnati. Wilson, John, College Hill. Wilson, John, 707 Superior street, Toledo. Witterstaetter, Richai-d, Sedams- ville. Ziechmen, F. W., Cleveland. OREGON. Clack, Sydney, Oregon City. PENNSYLVANIA. Chas. D. Ball, Holmesburg, and Alex. Murdock, Pittsburg, Vice-Pres'ts Albecker, Geo. M., Philadelphia. Allen. S. L., 127-129 Catharine St., Philadelphia. Ander, Jno. E., Doylestown. Anderson, Geo., 52d street and Dar- by road, Philadelphia. Atchison. W. C, Oil City. Bader, John, Allegheny. Baker. W. J., Holland Place, 10th Parish, Philadelphia. Ball, Chas. D., Holmesburg. Ballantine, J. D., 720 South llth st., Philadelphia. Battles, H. H., 108 So. 12th street, Philadelphia. Bayersdorfer, Harry, 56 North 4th St., Philadelphia. Bayersdorfer, M. M., 56 North 4th St., Philadelphia. Beatty, H. B., Oil City. APPENDIX. XIX PENNSYLVANIA-Continued. Beam, David, 3311 Wallace street, Philadelphia. Becker. Jacob, 52d and Market sts., Philadelphia. Beckert, Theo. F., Allegheny. Bell, W. T., Franklin. Bissett, Annie A., 333 Tasker street, Philadelphia. Blanc, A., 314 North 11th street, Philadelphia. Brechemin, W. L., 935 South 2d st., Philadelphia. Brenenan, J. D., Station F, Phila- delphia. Brown, Lincoln, 53d street and Gir- ard avenue, Philadelphia. Biirki, Fred., Bellevue Post Office, Allegheny County. Burpee, W. Atlee, 5ih and Willow streets, Philadelphia. Burt, Edw. W., 127-129 Catharine street, Philadelphia. Burton, John, Chestnut Hill, Phila- delphia. Butz, Geo. C, State College. Butz, Win. T., New 'Castle. Campbell, Jos. H., 3G01 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia. Cartledge, A. B., 1514 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Cartledge, Thos., 1514 Chestnut st., Philadelphia. Cassel, J. C, 2341 North 7th street, Philadelphia €haapel, Harry, Williamsport. Clark, G. R,, 1350 North Main ave., Scranton. •Clifle, David, Johnson and Main sts., West Germantown. Cochrane, Wm. S , 144 Sharpnack street, Germantown. ■Coles, W. W., Lansdowne. Colflesh, J. W., 54th st. and Wood- land avenue, Philadelphia. Colton, E. B., 10th and Chestnut streets, Philadelpluij. Connell, Benj., West Grove. Connelly, J. J., Bryn Maur. Connor,' D. T., Chester. Cox, Chas., Broad and Masters sts., Philadelphia. Cox, Geo. H., 122 North Main st., Towauda. Craig, Robert, 49th and Market sts., Philadelphia. Crawford, Robt , Jr., 235 South Uth street, Philadelphia. Crawford, W. N., 10(i tiouth 16th st., Philadelphia. Curtin, D., 2009 Nicetowu avenue, Philadelphia. Curweu, John, Jr., Villa Nova, Phil- adelphia. Dewar, Wm. , Bryn Maur. Dillon, J. L., Bloomsburg. Dorrance, B. F., Wilkes Barre. Downs, Alex., care of D. Furguson & Sons, Philadelphia. Dreer, Wra. F., Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Eisele, C, 11th and Jeflferson streets, Philadelphia. Eisele, J. D., 714 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Eldridge, A. M., Wilkes Barre. Eldridge, W. M., Wilkes Barre. Elliott, B. A., 54 Sixth street, Pitts- burg. Elliott, B. L., Pittsburg. Emmerich, August, So. Bethlehem. Engler, Henry, 4G53 Lancaster ave. , Philadelphia. Evans, Chas. F., 108 So. 12th st., Philadelphia. Evans, Geo. C, Rowlandville, Phila- delphia. Evenden, Geo. W., Williamsport. Fancourt, Geo. E., P. 0. Box 237, Kingston, Luzerne County. Parson, D. D. L., Hort. Hall, Phila- delphia. Ferguson, J. B., Pittsburg. Fergusson, T. M., Ridge avenue, Philadelphia. Foulds, Thos., 1502 Cayuga street, Philadelphia. Fries, Frank E.. Bethlehem. Fries, J. A.. Bethlehem. Gardiner, John, 21 North 13th st., Philadelphia. Geiger, H. C., 614 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Giles, John H.,37 North 10th street, Reading. Graham, Hugh, 17th and Thompson streets, Philadelphia. Graham, Wm., Philadelphia. Griffin, Jas., Frankford. Habermehl, J. P., Philadelphia. Hahman, F.. Harrogate Lane, Phila- delphia. Hamilton, Wm., Allegheny. Handrick, Walter V., 1349 North Main ave., Scranton. Hanson, Wm. H., 1731 Filbert st., Philadelphia. Harper, Wm. W., 5774 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia. APPENDIX. PENNSYIiVANIA-Continued. Harris, W. K., Sr.. 5015 Darby road, Philadelphia. Harris. W. K., Jr., 5015 Darby road, Philadelphia. Harvey, Walter, U Federal street, Allegheny. Heacock^ Joseph, Wyucote. Heron, J., Allegheny. Heron, Richard, 1735 Chestnut St.. Philadelphia. Herr, Albert M., P. O. Box 338 Lan- caster. Hofmeister, C, Jumonville. Hoskii>, Geo. H., Reading. Hughes, J. M., Bryn Maur. Hunter, J. Frank, 5550 Lansdowne avenue, Philadelphia. Huster, .Geo., Philadelphia. Hutton. Jas.. Lower Roxborough, Philadelphia. Ingham, P. S., 208 Washington ave,. Oil City. James, H. Q. , Altoona. Kahlert, C W.. 1514 Chestnut st., Philadelphia. Keller, Wm. F., 1114 Northampton St., Easton. Kemp, John G.. Asylum road, Frank- ford, Philadelphia. Kent, John, Overbrook. Kift, Joseph, Westchester. Kift, Rober^ 1721 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Koehler, Wm. n.,4000 Gerraantovvn avenue, Nicetowu. Kohler, Julius, Frankford, Phila- delphia. Krebs, F. S., 543 Belgrade street, Philadelphia. Kreinberg, O. R., P. O. Box 294, Philadelphia. Krueger, Aug., Meadville. Landers. L., Lancaster. Larkin, 1., Touglikeuamon. LaRoche, M. F., 13tli and Cliesluut streets, Philadelphia. Laughlin, Geo. A., 203(1 North Front sti'eet, Philadelphia. Leahy, G. H., West Grove. Lonsdale, Edwin, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Ludwig, J. W., Allegheny. Luitwieler, J. C, York. Lutz, Aug., 311 North 32d street, Philadelphia. Mackin, E., Paschalville, Philadel- phia. Marchuetz, Jos., 25 North 4th st., Philadelphia. Marvin. I. G., 387 South Main St., Wilkes Barre. Maule. Wm. H., 1711 Filbert street, Philadelphia. Mayberry, Thos., Pittsburg. McFarland, Geo. F., Harrisburg. McFarland, J. Horace, Harrisburg. Mead, D. M.. 14 South Wells street, Wilkes Bane. Mish, D. Hammond, 4th and Chest- nut sts., Lebanon Morrow, Wm., Pittsburg. Moon, S. C, Morrisville. Mott, Walter, Philadelphia. Murdoch, Alex., 508 Smithfield St., Pittsbursi. Murdoch A. M., 510 Smithfield St., Pittsburg. Meyer, Jacob, Lancaster. Myers, Thos. J., Jr., 1173 South 9th street. Philadelphia. Neimeyer, Henry A., Erie. Nesbit, John, 1735 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Newburger, E., Erie. Oberlin, T. J., Sinking Spring. Otter, Harold, Doylestown. Paget, John, Lochiel Park, Harris- burg. Palmer, Henry, Langhorne. Patterson, Robert C, 511 Market street, Pittsburg. Penuock, C. E., 38 South 16th street, Philadelphia. Petterson, Gustaf, 10 Nortli 4th st., Harrisburg. Price, ('has. S., Lansdowne. Rae, Jas., 1426 Thompson street, Philadelphia. Ramsden, (_'., Morton. Randolph, P. S.. Pittsburg. Read, Mrs. E. S., Foster Brook P. O., McKean Co. Reed, Wm. B., Chambersburg. Reig, John, Jenkintown. Reineman, E. (.'., Allegheny. Reist, Nathan E., Lime Rock. Rice, M,, 904 Filbert street, Phila- delphia. Richter, J., Federal street, AUe- sheny. RilerJ. L-, 408 North 10th street, Philadelphia. Rimby, Horace, CoUegeville. Rockwell, W. C., Bradford. Rohrer, A. D., Lancaster. Rohrer, H. D., Lancaster. Rohrer, Willis, Lancaster. Satterthwait, K. F., West Grove. APPENDIX. PENNSYLVANIA-Continued. Schmidt, Jos., 4-i North third street, Harrisburg. Schroyer. Geo. W. , Lancaster. Schray, Win., 4134 Pennsylvania avenue, Philadelphia. Scott, A. B., 10th and Catharine sts., Philadelphia. Seidel, D. B., Pottsville. Shelmire, W. R.. Avondale. Siebert. Chas. T., Stanton avenue, Pittsburg. Smith, A. M., Boggs avenue, Pitts- burg. Smith, J. Y., Doylestovpn. Smith, Wm. H., 1018 Market street, Philadelphia.. Stahl, B., 18th and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. Starr, Chas. T. , Avondale. Strauch, C. L., Pottsville. Strohlein, Geo. A., 714 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Strong, O. H , Oil City. Strouch, W. P.. Pottsville. Swayne, Wm., Kennett square. Taplin. W. H , Holmesburg. Thomson, Wm., Erie. Tong, Herbert, Erie. Walker, John, 49th and Market sts., Philadelphia. Wand, Otto, 1237 Chestnut street. Philadelphia. Watson, Geo. C, 21 North 13th st., Philadelphia. Westcott, John, 1514 Chestnut st., Philadelphia. Westcott, Wm. H., 3443 North 2d street, Philadelphia. Whealan, Henry W., Newtown. Wheeler, Edwin, 1359 North Main avenue, Scranton. Whilldiu, J. G., 713 Wharton street, Philadelphia. Will, W. F., 521 Webster avenue, Scranton. Wilkinson, Sidney, 714 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Williams, Albert, Sharon. Williams, B. W., Greenville. Williams, E. W., Pittsburg. Winters, Thos, J., 1016 Commerce street, Harrisburg. , Wintzer. A., West Grove. Woltemate, A., Germantovvu. Woods, David, Pittsburg. Wuttke, F. W., Etna. Yong, Alex., Jenkintown. Young, John W., Frank street, German town. RHODE ISLAND. Wji. Hodgkinson, Bristol, Vice-President. Butcher, Wm., 20 Pitman street. Providence. Corp, John R., 308 Cranston street, Providence. Corp, Z. R., 3C8 Cranston street. Providence. Gardner, T. A., 67 Main street, Wakefield. Hodgkinson, Wm., Bristol. Hogan, John, Pawtucket. Johnson, Geo., 280 Greenwich st.. Providence. Jurgens, Carl, Newport. O'Connor, T., Hope street, Provi- dence. Reuter, S. J., Westerly. SOUTH CAROLINA. C. U. Shepard, Charleston, Vice-President. Shepard, Chas. U., 68 Meeting st., Charleston. Thomson, Mrs. J. S. R., Spartans- burg. TENNESSEE. J. T. Williamson, Memphis, Vice-President. Moore, Henry, 54 Beale st., Mem- phis. Morton, Jas , Clarksville. Williamson, J. T., Memphis. Gift, John M., Memphis. Gray, Henrv, Insane Asylum. Nash- ville. Lanham, Harry, Memphis. Lanham, Mrs. Harry, Memphis. XXll APPENDIX. TEXAS. Robert Drumm, Fort Worth, Vice-President. Druram, Robert, Fort Worth. [ Nimon, Jas.. Deuison. Koelblen, Jacob. San Antonio. Zimmer, A., Sau Antonia. Nickels, Anna B., Laredo. I VERMONT. D. McGtllivray, Brattleboro, Vice-President. Allen, C. E., Brattleboro. Bryant, H., St. Albans. Cooke, Geo., P. O. Box 207, St. Albans. 'libbs, C. F., St. Johnsbury. Lane, W. D., Rutland. Mass, Geo. H., Woodstock. McGillivrav, D., Brattleboro'. VIRGINIA. J. Chesley Wilbur, Norfolk, Vice-President. Daughtrey, Mrs. M. F., 207 High i Loose, J. L., Alexandria. street, Portsmouth. ' Robertson, John, Alexandria. Dickerman, W. I., Norfolk. j Wilbur, J. Chesley, Norfolk. Harvey, J. Harry, Richmond. | ■WEST VIRGINIA. A. HiEHLE, Parkersburg, Vice-President. Hiehle, Adolph, Parkersburg. | Krieger, Wm. F., Wheeling. WISCONSIN. C. B. Whitxall, Milwaukee, Vice-President. Brudahl, J. P., Racine. Currie, Jas., 108 Wisconsin street, Milwaukee. Currie, Wm., 108 Wisconsin street, Milwaukee. Dilger, F. P., Milwaukee. Gordon, Mrs. Geo., Milwaukee. Haentze, E., Fond du Lac. Helms, Walter, Janesville. Lawrie, James, Milwaukee. Losey, J. W., La Crosse. Middlemass, A., Forest Home ave., Milwaukee. Miles, Isaac, 76 Frankford street, Oshkosh. Millard, T. F., Chippewa Falls. Morey, Jos., Milwaukee. Nelson, John, Oshkosh. Salzer, J A., La Crosse. Schucht. Otto, 215 E. ave., She- boygan. Turner, Lewis, Kenosha. Whitnall, C. B., 428 Milwaukee st., Milwaukee. DOMIWION OF CANADA. NOVA SCOTIA. Harris, J. H., Halifax. J. F. Webster, Hamilton, Vice-President. Aylett, S., Hamilton. Cairncross, Geo., London. Cape, Jno., "Customs," Hamilton. Chambers, John, Toronto. ♦Craig, John, 368 Dufferin avenue, Loudon. Craig, S. H., 368 Dutferin avenue, London. Common, Alex., Gault. Dale, Henry, Brampton. Dix, F., London. Dunlop, John H., Box 50, Brockton Post Office, Toronto, Foster, F. G., Hamilton. Gamraage, Wm., London. Graham, John, New Edinburgh, Ottawa. Gilchrist, A., West Toronto Junct. Heather, R. B., Brockville. Hill, Wm., Toronto. * Deceased. APPENDIX, XXUl DOMINION OF CANADA-Continued. ONTARIO — CONTINUED. Kehoe, W., Ottawa. Marcou, W. H., care Steele Bros., Toronto. Mearns, Robt., Toronto. Nicol, David, Toronto. Pape, J., Toronto, Reeves, Geo., Toronto. Seeviour, Thos., Toronto. Scrim, C, Ottawa. Tidy, Chas. J., Toronto. Webster, Jas. F., Hamilton. QUEBEC. Jas. McKenna, Montreal, Vice-President. Bennett, Jos., 185 St. Denis street, Montreal. Campbell, C, 78 Victoria square, Montreal. Davidson, W. B., 86 Victoria square, Montreal. Doyle, John, Pine avenue, Montreal. Oilbault, J., 39 St. Andre street, Montreal. Graves, E., 220 Cote St. Antoine, Montreal. McKenna, Jas., Cote des Neiges, Montreal. Ruel, D., 113 Duboad St., Montreal. Trussell, G., Montreal. Walsh, John, Redpath st., Montreal, Wilshire, W., 919 Sherbrooke st.. Montreal. ENGLAND. Marshall, Simeon, The Nurseries, York. Bennett, H., Shepperton-on-Thames, London. Fell, Francis, Tottenham, London. Osman, C. E., 132 Commercial st., London, E. Ware, Thos. S., Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, London. FRANCE. Beuard, E., 51 Route de St. Mesmin, Orleans. POSTSCRIPT. The following names have beeu added to the Roll since printing : Mrs. Alma S. Patterson, 509 South Eddy street, Fort Scott, Kansas. J. Koenig, G-171 Florissant avenue, St. Louis, Mo. €. A. Mosier, formerly Des Moines, la., has removed to Snohomish, W. T. APPENDIX. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE FLORISTS' PRO- TECTIVE ASSOCIATION. Constitution. article i. This orgauizatiou shall be known as the Florists' Protective Association. article it. Its object shall be the protection of its members from the designs of dishonest persons. article III. The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Secretary and Treasurer, assisted by an Advisory Board of three, one of whom shall be Chairman. ARTICLE IV. The Association may make and amend a code of By-Laws to carry out the objects of the organization; to be ratified by a majority of the members at any annual meeting or at any special called meeting. By-Laws. article i. Section 1. The Secretary and Advisory Board shall be elected at a meeting of the members, which shall be held at the same time and place as the meeting of the Society of American Florists. ARTICLE II. Duties of Officers. Section 1. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meet- ings and approve the accounts of the Treasurer. Sec. 2. The Secretary shall prepare and mail as occasion may require, and three weeks in advance of each issue of his reports, to every APPENDIX. XXV member of this Association and to sucli others as he may deem expedient, a copy of Form No. 1, as follows: Report of Address List of Poor-pay Customers. Amount.^ Key letters in below.' A. Present address unknown. B. Pays no attention to drafts. C. Refuses C. O. D. goods. D. Writes insolent letters. E. Fraud. Tricky. F. Failed. Never settled. G. Old record bad. H. Took judgment. I. Note protested. J. Account left for collection. K. Don't want his trade. L. M. N. Sec. 3. The Secretary shall file these blanks for reference when returned, accompanied by affidavit, and tabulate the contents on Form No. 2, and mail the same to all members. Form iVo. 2. Reports of F. P. A. Name and address. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I J. K. L. M. N. XXVI - APPENDIX. Sec. 4. It shall be the further duty of the Secretary to issue such tabulated record at least every three months, and to receive and tile com- munications from members of this Association in reference to dishonest or fraudulent transactions with any person with whom said member shall have had dealings, which information shall be strictly contidential except to the Advisory Board. Sec. 5. The Secretary and Treasurer shall furnish a bond in the sum of S600, which shall be satisfactorj' to the Advisory Board. Sec. 6. The Advisory Board shall be consulted by the Secretary on all matters concerning such records not covered by his duties as outlined above, and they shall decide same. Sec. 7. The Advisory Board and Secretary shall, on his request, reinvestigate the record of any one who complains of unjust rating. ARTICLE III. Section 1. The membership fee shall be two dollars per annum. Sec 2. Special reports shall be furnished by the Secretary on request of members, accompanied by a fee of fifty cents. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of every member to promptly report new delinquents of the class herein before named, and on repeated fail- ure to reply to the quarterly requests of the Secretary shall be deprived of his membership. INDEX. Address of Mayor Becker, Address of President May, Reports of Secretary and Treasurer, Express Rates on Plants, Duty on Bulbs, .... Recognition of Members, Exaggerations in Catalogues, Discussion of President's Address, Essay — Roses, .... Amendments to Constitution, Question Box — First Day, ;!Srominations, ..... Essay — Elevation of Our Business, Commissioner of Agriculture, Report of Committee on Dishonest Dealers, Essay — Education, .... Essay — Experimental Garden, Question Box — Second Day, . Report of Committee on Standard Pots, Election of Officers, .... Essay — Summer Blooming Flowers, Essay — Horticultural Exhibitions, . A National Prize, .... Testimonial to President May, . Essay — Making and Application of Heat as Used in Greenhouses Essay — Landscape Gardening, Essay — Orchids, .... Question Box — Third Day, National Flower, .... Presentation to Treasurer Hunt, Final Resolutions, .... Appendix. Reports of Exhibition Committees, Report of Florists' Hail Association , List of Members, Constitution of Florists' Protective Association, Page 5 7 13 15 16 18 21 26 29 40 42 49 50 55 61 64 69 73 87 91 91 95 101 101 103 108 118 121 124 125 126 1 vi viii xxiv /^ -m