JMASS/AMHERST 3]iaDbbDDS3'^77E3 DDDDDnDDDaaDDDDnDDDDnDnDnaDDnaDD ^fiist UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY D D D D D a D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D a D D D D D D D D D o g S S DnDnDnDDDDnnDDDnaDnanDnnnnnannnn 89 TRANSACTIONS OF THE WORCESTER COUNTY HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER i, 1914 *AND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 1915 THE COMMONWEALTH PRESS 25 Foster Street 1915 ^.M- TRANSACTIONS OF the; WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER i, 1914 AND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 1915 THE COMMONWaklvTH PRE 25 Foster JStre 9,. '^m. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY For the Year 1914-1915 President: EDWARD W. BREED, of Clinton. vice-presidents: ARTHUR J. MARBLE, of Worcester; CHARLES GREENWOOD, of Worcester; HERBERT R. KINNEY, of Worcester. secretary: LEONARD C. MIDGLEY, of Westboro, Horticultural HaU, 18 Front St. librarian: Miss LUCY M. COULSON, of Worcester. treasurer: BURT W. GREENWOOD, of Worcester. Joseph A. Allen, David L. Fiske, Henry B. Watts, Edgar M. Bruce, Henry W. Carter, Herbert A. Cook, Fred J. Reed, Mrs. J. Frank Record, William McAllister, William Anderson, J. Lewis Ellsworth, Fred'k H. Chamberlain, Mrs. Olive G. Davidson, Walter D. Ross, James E. Draper, Arthur E. Hartshorn, 191 ; Auburn Grafton Leicester Leominster Millbury Shrewsbury West Boylston Whitinsville S. Lancaster Worcester Worcester Allyne W. Hixon, Simon E. Fisher, " Mrs. Percy G. Forbes, " Henry H. Browning, " Joseph K. Greene, " Ben. M. Chamberlain, " Louis J. Kendall, Frank J. Kinney, " H. Ward Moore, " Burton W. Potter, " George Calvin Rice, " Howard E. Sumner, " William J. Wheeler, Albert H. Lange, " Charles W. Wood, STANDING COMMITTEES. ON finance: Chairman, Leonard C. Midgley, 1915, Myron F. Converse, 1916. ON library and publications: Edward W. Breed, Chairman, Arthur J. Marble, Leonard C. Midgley, J. Lewis Ellsworth, Lucy M. Coulson, Librarian. on nomenclature: Herbert A. Cook, Charles Greenwood, Henry E. Kinney, Albert H. Lange, Arthur J. Marble, William Anderson, on arrangemexts and exhibitions: Herbert R. Kinney. George Calvin Rice, Herbert R. Kinney, Chairman, Arthur J. Marble, H. Ward Moore, Mrs. Percy G. Simon E. Fisher, Arthur E. Hartshorn William J. Wheeler, Albert H. Lange and The President and Secretary, Forbes, Miss Lucy M. Coulson. H. Ward Moore. AUDITORS. Benjamin C. Jaques, JUDGES. Of Flowers, Plants, etc.: William Anderson, Of Fruits, etc.: Herbert A. Cook, Of Vegetables: Charles Greenwood. MEDAL COMMITTEE Albert H. Lange Herbert A. Cook ON WINTER MEETINGS Arthur J. Marble, Walter D. Ross, Edward W. Breed, Chairman, APPROPRIATIONS President E. W. Breed Joseph K. Greene Leonard C. Midgley Flowers . . ... $1,200.00 Fruit 1,000.00 Vegetables 650.00 Winter Meeting .... 500.00 Publications 300.00 Children's Exhibitions 100.00 Periodicals .... . . . . 100.00 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR THE Year Ending December 1, 1914, and the Annual Meeting of 1915 PRESIDENT'S REPORT It is my privilege as president to present in a few words my annual report for the past year. We record in our membership the past year the death of ten gentlemen, all past middle age. Hon. Henry A. Marsh and Charles A. Denny had been members for sixty years; the average length of time for membership among the ten persons being thirty-seven years. These gentlemen were much interested in the welfare of the society and have contributed in various ways toward its support. We welcome twelve new members with our best wishes and hope that the society may prosper by their contribu- tions to our work. The winter meetings were of a high order, made possible by a liberal appropriation. Illustrated lectures attract larger audiences and the committee endeavored to have as many of that kind as possible. The Medal Committee have not been called upon to award any medals this year. This will make it possible for more another year. In making out the schedule for next year I would suggest that for some of the display exhibits medals be awarded instead of money premiums — one for flowers, one for fruit and one for vegetables. 4 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Our library is in fine order and worthy of your liberal patronage. We have a special fund for the purchase of books and the Library Committee wdll welcome at any time suggestions relative to the purchase of books on horti- cultural subjects. It is wdth great pleasure that I speak of the exhibitions which I believe have been very meritorious. The displays of fruit and vegetables being called for more than previously brought out excellent results. These features were a great factor this year. In the floral exhibits the standard was very high, partic- ularly in the stands of assorted cut-flowers, and there were frequently exhibits that in some years would have received honors, but on account of superior stands they were not awarded a premium. The chrysanthemum show proved a success in every particular. Finer specimens were never show^n. Best of all, the attendance at our exhibitions has been excellent. This feature in a measure repays us for our efforts and on the other hand the public are fortunate in having free access to such exhibitions. Having more of the exhibitions open until nine o'clock was well appreciated and worthy of continuance. Appreciating in no small degree the honor you have con- ferred and the kindness &hown me the past year I hereby submit my annual report. EDWARD W. BREED. Dec. 2, 1914. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY Mr. President and Members of the Worcester County Horticultural Society. In presenting to you my annual report, I must speak of the marked improvement in our shows and, you might say, without any help from outside, the great feature has been the call for special displays in fruit, flowers and vegetables and it would be hard to tell which has been the most admired, so attractive have they all been. The spring show of March 5th, the fruit and vegetable show of October 8th, and the chrysanthemum show of November 5th and 6th were the largest held during the year, the attendance being very large; in fact, the hall was crowded from the time it opened until 9 p. m. when it closed. I would like to mention the many fine displays by our exhibitors, but will not take the time; will speak of one in particular, the very fine display of perrenials exhibited by our president June 25th — think it was the finest thing of the kind we ever had. Your Committee of Arrangements changed the usual plan of the Fall Dinner, October 8th; instead of being held in the hall, it was served at the Hotel Bancroft. About one hundred participated and everyone seemed to enjoy it; the usual after dinner speeches were omitted. The shows that have been opened in the evenings have been the best patronized, and I am still of the opinion that more of our shows should be doubled up, having them every two weeks and open in the evenings; I should like very much to have this question discussed. Your Committee on Winter Meetings arranged a very fine course of lectures which were well attended; it is esti- mated that over twenty-four hundred persons enjoyed these lectures. 6 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 We have taken in twelve new members and have lost by death, twelve. The new members are as follows: Albert W. Schneider, South Lancaster, Mass. J. Ralph Davison, Worcester, Mass. Daniel Sullivan, North Grafton, Mass. Prof. George H. Haynes, Worcester, Mass. Walter B. Barnard, Worcester, Mass. George H. Howe, Worcester, Mass. Mrs. Herbert L. White, Shrewsbur}^, Mass. Prof. Arthur W. French, Worcester, Mass. J. Fred Brown, South Lancaster, Mass. Mrs. Bertha A. Green, Worcester, Mass. Mrs. Anna Bertha Rice, Worcester, Mass. Charles E. Burbank, West Boylston, Alass. The deceased members are: Abel L. Wolfe Samuel Flag, M. D. Charles B. Eaton Hon. Henr}^ A. Marsh Eben Jewett Charles A. Denny Charles S. Bacon Woodbury C. Smith B. Joseph Bertels Charles T. Luce Arba Pierce Charles D. Thayer During the year we had twenty-three Trustee and Committee meetings. Following are the reports of trustee meetings during the year. The first meeting of Trustees, after the annual election, was held November 12th, 1913, with twenty-seven members present. This meeting was called to elect the committees for the following year. On Library and Publications: Edward W. Breed, chair- man; Leonard C. Midgiey; Arthur J. Marble; J. Lewis Ellsworth; Lucy M. Coulson, hbrarian. On Nomenclature: Herbert A. Cook, Charles Green- wood, Henry E. Kinney, Albert H. Lange, Herbert R. 1914-15] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 7 Kinney, Arthur J. Marble, George C. Rice, William Anderson. On Arrangement and Exhibitions: Herbert R. Kinney, chairman; Simon E. Fisher, Arthur E. Hartshorn, Arthur J. Marble, WilUam J. Wheeler, Albert H. Lange, H. Ward Moore, Mrs. Percy G. Forbes, Mrs. Lucy M. Coulson, President Breed and Secretary Midgley. Auditors: H. Ward Moore and Benjamin C. Jaques. Judges: fruit, Herbert A. Cook; vegetables, Charles Greenwood; flowers, William Anderson. Medal Committee: Albert H. Lange, Herbert A. Cook, Edward W. Breed. On Winter Meetings: Arthur J. Marble, chairman, Walter D. Ross, Joseph K. Greene, Edward W. Breed and Leonard C. Midgley. Appropriations for 1914: Flowers, $1,200.00; fruit, $1,000.00; vegetables, $650.00; children's show, $100.00; winter meetings, $500.00; library, $300.00; secretary, $500.00; librarian, $600.00; treasurer, $150.00; total, $5,000.00. President Breed appointed the following delegates to attend the American Promological Society at Washing- ton, D. C: David L. Fiske, J. Lewis Ellsworth, E. M. Bruce, Herbert A. Cook and Benn M. Chamberlain. November 20, 1913 The Committee on Arrangement and Exhibitions held a meeting to revise the schedule for 1914. The committee appointed to draw resolutions upon the death of George McWilliam reported as follows. ^'In the death of George McWilliam, for twenty-seven years a member of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, for fifteen years a trustee and judge of flowers in all its exhibitions, and a contributor of important works on orchids to its library, the society has lost a valued member, a faithful officer and a competent judge. 8 • WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 '^Mr. Mc William was an original worker as an horti- culturalist and developed old and originated new forms of fruits and flowers, and received many medals and other honors for his work. He not only contributed to various publications the results of his experiments but was always ready to give time and advice to the novice and other workers less imformed or skillful than himself. Genial, honest and sympathetic as a friend and leader, generously devoted to the best interests of the societ}^ he will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned b}^ all who knew him. For the society, JOSEPH H. GEEENE, EDWARD W. BREED, LUCY M. COULSON, Committee." February 12, 1914 A Trustees' meeting was held, with President Breed in the chair. There were fourteen members present. A mo- tion was made by J. Lewis Ellsworth that the society ex- tend an invitation to the State Board of xVgriculture to hold their meeting next December in our hall. This motion was so voted. The president appointed the following committee to wait upon same: H. W. Carter, Millbur}^; Charles Green- wood and Leonard C. Midgley. Mr. Greenwood thought the society should have an exhibit at this time. A letter was read from Ralph Davis to hold our March show in Mechanics Hall with others, this was voted laid on the table. The last winter meeting was held February 26th, the attendance being still another gain over previous years. The banquet, held March 12th, was well attended, 275 being present. President Breed presided and introduced the speakers. Among the invited guests were Honorable 1914-15] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 9 and Mrs. Samuel E. Winslow of Worcester; Mayor George M. Wright and wife, Worcester; Honorable and Mrs. Frank H. Pope, Boston; Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Frost, Arlington, Mass; Honorable and Mrs. J. Lewis Ellsworth, Worcester; Mr. and Mrs. George Calvin Rice, Worcester. The after dinner speeches were well received as was also the singing by Dr. A. J. Harpin. Decorations of the ban- quet hall and library were by Leonard C. Midgley; stage decorations by Albert H. Lange. March 24, 1914 A special meeting was called by Chairman Herbert R. Kinney of the Committee of Arrangements to see if we could not improve our shows during the summer. The following changes were suggested: That the judges should stay until after the premium cards were placed. The janitor should always be on hand at the time of placing exhibits. That a record should be kept of each show and be put on record, when in years to come they could be compared. To hold the chrysanthemum show Saturday and hold over Sunday. To get more small tables, vases and platters. May 7, 1914 A meeting of Trustees was called but there not being a quorum, those present were dismissed by Vice-president Charles Greenwood. August 6, 1914 Trustees' meeting with President Breed presiding and fifteen members present. The only business to come before 10 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 the board was to see if the society should help the State Board of Agriculture by having an exhibit of fruit and vegetables in conjunction with their show in December. November 18, 1914 A special Trustees' meeting was called to decide if the society would have a fruit and vegetable display in conjunc- tion with the State Board of Agriculture, to be held Dec- ember 2, 3, and 4. Our president called the meeting to order w^ith sixteen Trustees present. After a long discussion upon the matter it was voted to appropriate SI 00. 00 for the display of corn, fruit and vegetables to be placed in the reception room over the library. It was also voted that the following be inserted upon the card sent out notifying the members of the an- nual meeting; that 'Hhe Annual Meeting will be held December 2nd with the expectations of an adjournment to a later date owing to the hall being used by the State Board of Agriculture at that time. December 2, 1914 The Annual Meeting of the societ}^ was called for Decem- ber 2nd, but on account of no quorum, those present were dismissed by President Breed to Saturday, December 5th, at ten o'clock a. m. Annual Meeting of 1915 The Annual ^Meeting of the Worcester County Horticul- tural Society was held Saturday, December 5th, 1914, to act upon the following articles: 1. To hear reports of officers and committees. 2. To choose officers of the society for the ensuing year. I 1914-15] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 11 3. To take action upon proposed amendments to Article 11. 4. Any other business that may legally come before the meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Breed with sixty-two members present. The secretary read last A^ear's annual report, which was voted accepted. The president then called upon the secretary to read his report for the year, also the librarian's and treasurer's reports. The above were all voted accepted. Arthur E. Hartshorn then read report for the Finance Committee. Herbert R. Kinney read report for the Com- mittee on Arrangements; William Anderson as Judge of Flowers; Herbert A. Cook, as Judge of Fruit, and Charles Greenwood as Judge of Vegetables. Arthur J. Marble read report for the Committee on Winter Meetings. All the above reports wxre voted accepted. Our president then gave his address, also reported for the Medal Committee. The society then proceeded to elect officers. The presi- dent selected H. Ward Moore and Joseph K. Greene, tellers. Elections as follow^s : Edward W. Breed, president; Arthur J. Marble, 1st vice-president; Charles Greenwood, 2nd vice-president; Herbert R. Kinney, 3rd vice-president; Leonard C. Midgley, secretar}^; Lucy M. Coulson, librarian; Burt W. Greenwood, treasurer. It was moved and seconded that the same list of Trustees serve for 1915. L^nanimous vote. It was moved and second- ed that Arthur E. Hartshorn be re-elected to Finance Com- mittee. It was a unanimous vote. The amendment to Article 11 submitted by Burt W. Greenwood was voted accepted. Arthur E. Hartshorn for the Finance Committee recom- mended $5,500.00 as the appropriation for 1915. This was seconded by Joseph K. Greene. Unanimous vote. 12 WORCESTEK COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Ernest Adshead recommended that a quarterly maga- zine be printed; this was passed over, not being seconded. The president announced that the Trustees meeting would be held Wednesday, December 9th, at ten o'clock. The meeting was voted adjourned at twelve o'clock a. m. Respectfully submitted, LEONARD C. MIDGLEY, Secretary. Horticultural Hall, Dec. 5, 1914. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT To THE Members of the Worcester County Horti- cultural Society: I present the following report for the years 1913-1914. As the Library Committee is always seeking to increase the interest and value of its department, perhaps it will not be unappropriate at this time to mention that they w^ould be glad to consider suggestions from the members as to new publications and books which might prove beneficial. There has been a slight increase over last year in the number of books circulated. There are more catalogues available, both foreign and domestic, than ever before. The work of binding various periodicals and The Trans- actions of the Society has been brought up to date. The additions to the library during the year just closed, by purchase or by gift, will be found in the list herewith given. United States Department of Agriculture. Farmers' Bulletin, Nos. 489, 492-494, 565. Monthly List of Publications, November to September. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulle- tin No. 149. Sixtieth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massa- chusetts State Board of Agriculture. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. Circular No. 7a, 8, 15, 16, 19, 27. Bulletin No. 96. West Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 3. San Jose Scale. 14 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Press Bulle- tin No. 44, 45. Research Bulletin No. 45, Extention Bulletin Nos. 22-25, Bulletin Nos. 139-145. Twenty-seventh Annual Report. Michigan Agricultural College Experiment Station, Bulletin No. 69. Field Museum National History Publication, 172, Vol. II, No. 9; 173, Vol. IV, No. 4. Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Part II, 1913. Part I, 1914. American Pomological Societ}^, Bulletin Nos. 6-8. Pro- ceedings of the American Pomological Society, 1913. Annual Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Worcester, 1913-1914. Arnold Arboretum, Harvard Universit}^, Bulletin Nos. 51-63. Worcester County Mechanics' Association Annual Re- port, 1914. Fifty-fourth Annual Report of the Public Library, 1913. Second Inaugural Address of Hon. George M. Wright, Mayor of Worcester, Mass. Civic Association. Twenty-third Annual Report of the Trustees of Public Reservation, 1913. Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, Vol. XXXIX, Part II and III, Book of Arrangements Part I and II. Worcester Telegram. Evening Gazette. Evening Post. Weekly Guide. Worcester City Director}^, 1914. Worcester House Directory, 1914. The Potato by W. S. Guilford. Floral Designs De Luxe. A Naturalist in Western China by Prof. E. H. Wilson. 1914-15] REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN 15 Concrete Pottery and Garden Furniture by Ralph C. Davison. Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Vol. IX, 1913. Field Book of American Wild Flowers by F. Schuyler Mathews. Field Book of Wild Birds and their Music by F. Schuyler Mathews. The Practical Book of Garden x\rchitecture by Phebe W. Humphreys. Rose Book by H. H. Thomas. The Sweet Pea Annual, 1914. Manual of Fruit Insects by M. V. Shngerland and C. R. Crosby. Publications and Periodicals Country Life in America. Suburban Life. American Homes and Gardens. The Garden Magazine. Florists' Exchange. Florists' Review. American Florist. Gardening. Horticulture. Park and Cemetery. New England Homestead. The Rural New Yorker. The Farm Journal. The Country Gentleman. The National Grange. The Worcester Magazine. The Guide to Nature. The American City. Rhodora. Orchid Review. The Craftsman. 16 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Garden. Gardening. Gardeners' Chronicle. American Catalogues Aurora Nurseries. American Nurser}^ Company. American Forestry Company. Andorra Nurseries. Ames Implement and Seed Company. Brunett Brothers, Seedsmen. Biltmore Nursery. Breck-Robinson Nursery Company. Boddington's Garden Guide. Bobbink and Atkins Nurseries. Bay State Nurseries. Burbank Seed Book. Breck's Seed Book. Barnes Brothers Nursery Company. H. F. Burt Catalogue. Clark W. Brown. D. V. Burrell, Seed Grower. Bassett and Weller, Dahlias. Burpee's Annual. William C. Barry, Nurseries. John Lewis Childs, Gladiolus. Conard and Jones Company. Arthur Cowee, Gladiolus. The Cottage Gardens Nursery Book. Cushman Gladiolus Company. Chamberlain & Gage, Gladiolus Bulbs. Henry A. Dreer, Garden Book. R. Douglas' Sons. Ellwager and Barry, Nurseries. Evergreen Nursery Company. Elliott Nursery. 1914-15] KEPOET OF THE LIBRARIAN 17 Elizabeth Nursery Company. The El Paso Seed Company. John Endicott & Company, Dahlias. The Elm City Nursery Company. Ela's Dahhas. Farquhar's Garden Annual. Bertrand H. Farr, Hardy Plants. Franken Brothers. Henry Field Seed Company. Fairview Seed Farmer. L. J. Farmer. Samuel Frazer. Fottler, Fiske, Rawson Company. Green's Nursery Company. J. J. H. Gregory & Son, Seedsmen. Miss Jessie M. Good, Seeds and Plants. Glen Brothers, Nursery. Gillett's Hardy Fern and Flower Farm. The Good and Reese Company. David Herbert & Son. D. V. Howell, Dahhas. Ralph E. Huntington, Flower Seeds and Bulbs. Peter Henderson & Compan}^ T. S. Hubbard Company, Grapevine Specialists. Hill's Evergreen Book. Horsford's Nurseries. Heller Brothers Company, Rose Specialists. Harrison's Nurseries. Isbell's Seed Annual. Hiram T. Jones, Hardy Trees and Ferns. F. W. Kelsey Nursery Company. E. H. Krelage & Son. King Brothers, Nurseries. R. M. Kellogg Company. Harlan P. Kelsey, Nursery. Livingston's Seed Annual. J. T. Lovett. 18 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Lager & Hurrell. Alfred Mitting, Berry Specialists. Marshalls' Bulbs and Seeds. MichelFs Seed Book. Morse's Garden Guide. The William H. Moon Company. Mills Seed Company. L. L. May & Company. C. C. Morse & Company. Thomas Meehan & Sons. McGregor Brothers Company. W. A. Manda. J. F. Noll & Company. George H. Peterson, Roses. A. N. Pierson, Roses. Peterson Nursery. Peacock Dahlia Farm. Ross Brothers Company. Royal Palm Nurseries. Frederic J. Rea. The Stark Year Book. Elmer D. Smith & Company. The Schmidt & Botley Company. The Storrs & Harrison Company. Stump & Walter Company. W. & T. Smith Company. Fred L. Tinkham, Dahhas. Leamon G. Tingle, Strawberries. Thorburn's Seeds. Charles H. Totty. T. C. Thurlow's Sons, Nurseries. B. Hammond Tracy, Gladiolus. Mrs. L. M. Towle, Dahhas. R. Vincent, Jr., & Sons Company. Walsh's Handbook of Roses. Weeber & Don. 1914-15] REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN 19 George H. Walker, Dahlias. Vaughan's Seed Book. James Vick's Sons. Henry Youell, Gladiolus. Foreign Catalogues Barr's Seed Guide. George Bunyard & Company. Cartwright & Goodwin, Bulbs. H. Cannell & Sons. James Carter & Company. Dobbie & Company. Dammann & Company, Seed Growers. Henry Eckford. Hobbies. Kelway's Manual. Kallen & Lunnemann. C. Keur & Sons. E. H. Krelage & Son, Bulbs. V. Lemoine & Fils. Charles Lorenz. H. Merryweather & Sons, Nurseries. Henry Mette, Seed Growers. Nonne & Hoepker. H. Den Ouden, Nurseries. The Oevrveen Bulb Trade and Nurseries. Otto Putz. Paul & Sons, Nurseries. The Royal Tottenham Nurseries. Ant. Roozen & Son, Bulbs. Frederick Roemer, Seed Grower. Jacs Smits & Company. Soupert & Notting, Roses. James Stredwick & Son. J. C. Schmidt. Sutton's Sons. 20 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 James Veitch Sons. Van der Weijden & Company. E. H. Wheadon & Sons. H. Woolman's. Thomas S. Ware, Begonias. Heirich Wrede, Pansy Specialists. Anthony Waterer, Nursery. R. Wallace & Company, Nurseries. Webb & Sons. The Yokohama Nursery. Respectfully submitted, LUCY M. COULSON. Horticultural Hall, November 30, 1914. TREASURER'S REPORT Worcester County Horticultural Society For the Financial Year (13 months) Ending Nov. 30, 1914. Statement of Receipts and Expenditures Receipts Expenditures Store rent, Hall rent, Interest, ]Membership fees: 8 at $5— $40 3 at 3 — 9 Permanent funds: Dewey Fund, $84.36 Eames fund, 26.50 Water, Winter meetings, banquet Fall dinner, 1914, tickets. Furnishings, breakage and sales, SIO, 4, 833.33 178.50 294.50 49.00 110.86 398.42 141.75 28.50 27.00 Cash on hand, Nov. 1, 1913, $16,061.86 9,741.43 $25,803.29 Furnishings, Library — Book account, $84.36 Winter meetings, 647.75 Publications, 351.97 Premiums, 2,764.00 Children's exhibits, 59.35 Eames fund premiums, 26.50 Society's medals, 30.00 Judges, $150.00 Salaries, 1,250.00 Payment on mortgage, $1,000.00 Interest, 832.50 Insurance and Taxes, 3,711.92 Maintenance real estate. Maintenance fiu-nishings. Light, heat and water, Janitor service. Janitor's expense. Office expense, Library expense, Expense of exhibitions. Fall dinner, 1914, Miscellaneous expense. $294.45 3,963.93 1,400.00 Cash on hand Nov. 30, 1914: Marlboro Savings Bank, Clinton Savings Bank, Worcester County Institution for Savings, Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank, 1,286.62 Worcester Trust Company, 3, 169.53 5,544.42 792.39 100.08 1,716.30 1,255.09 212.35 322.84 9.50 264.61 48.60 269.74 $16,194.30 $1,268.16 1,304.87 1.360.87 1,218.94 9,608.99 $25,803.29 22 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Statement of Gains and Losses Gains Losses Store rent, $10,833.33 Appropriations from income, $5,000.00 Hall rent, 4,178.50 Office expenses. 322.84 Membership fees, 49.00 Library expense. 9.50 Income from permanent funds, 110.8G Janitor's expense. 212.35 Children's exhibits, unexpend- Expense of Exhibitions, 264.61 ed balance of appropriation, 40.65 ^liscellaneous expense. 269.74 Premiums appropriated, not Judges, 150.00 awarded (1913), 86.00 Fall dinner, 1914, 20.10 Premiums appropriated not Eames fund premiums, 26.50 awarded (1914), 100.25 Society's medals. Winter meetings, excess of appropria- tion. 30.00 6.00 Publications, excess of appropriation, 51.97 ^^"^--^..^^ Light, heat and water, 1,317.88 ^^^^^^ Maintenance of real estate. 792.39 ^"~~^^^^ Janitor service. 1,2.55.09 ^"-\ Maintenance of furnishings. 100.08 ^^"--..^^ Insurance and taxes, 3,711.92 538.00 ^^- $14,078.97 ^^^-^^ Net gain to surplus, 1,319.62 $15,398.59 $15,398.59 Statement of Resources and Liabilities Resources Liabilities Deposits in Savings Banks: Blake fund, principal. $1,000.00 (Investment of permanent funds) Income, 117.74 Fitchburg Sav ings Bank, $1,117.74 Dewev fund, principal. 1,000.00 People's Savings Bank, 1,180.88 income. 496.71 Worcester Five Cents Savings Eamcs fund, principal, 500.00 Bank, 623.82 income. 123.82 Worcester Mechanics Savings Hadwen fund, principal. 1,000.00 Bank, 1,496.71 income, 180.88 Real Estate, 120,000.00 $4,419.15 Furnishings, 6,767.45 Premiums awarded, 2,749.75 Library, 2,884.36 ^Mortgage loans. 18,000.00 Cash, 9,608.99 Surplus, Net Gain, 1914, $117,191.43 1,319.62 $ S 118,511.05 $143,679.95 143,679.95 Respectfully submitted, BURT W. GREENWOOD, Treasurer. REPORT OF THE AUDITORS Worcester, November 30, 1914. We, the undersigned auditors of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, have examined the accounts of the treasurer of the society and find them correct and the balances properly deposited. H. WARD MOORE, BENJ. C. JAQUES. REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE There have been no unusual expenses this year except for renewal of fire insurance which expired and was re- newed for the same amount, the Committee also deemed it wise to secure rent insurance which could be had for a nominal amount, thus providing for our income from rentals in case of fire. The income from the hall has fallen behind last year on account of the hall not being used Saturdays for moving pictures during the last three months. At present another part}^ has the hall Saturdays for moving pictures but for no definite period. Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR E. HARTSHORN, Chairman. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ARRANGE- MENTS AND EXHIBITIONS While the early part of the year was generally un- favorable, our exhibitions of flowers have been good, but it has been necessary to make some changes. Fruit as a whole has not been as largely exhibited as usual during an apple year, this owing to the practical failure of the peach crop and the light crop of small fruits. The exhibitions of vegetables during the earl}^ summer were light and of only fair quality, but later were shown in abundance and of good quality. Your Committee has believed in more or less special exhibits and this year they have been a very great help in making our exhibitions attractive. It would seem as though if we are to keep up and if possible improve our exhibitions, that our Committee should have a small appropriation so that we could get an exhibitist if necessary. In a season like the past when some of our departments have not used all of their appropriations we could get along nicely. By H. R. KINNEY, Chairman. REPORT OF JUDGE OF FLOWERS The exhibitions of the year 1914 have been, as a rule, of a high standard. The frequent rains during spring and earh^ summer were very favorable for plant growth and development, and the result was reflected in the quantity and excellence of the plants and flowers exhibited during the season. The exhibition season opened with the spring show on March 5th. In plants, azalias and begonias, and in cut flowers carnations and narcissus were the feature of this show. The quality was good and the competition close. Orchids w^ere not shown in the usual quantity. The exhibition on May 7th was good, flowers were of good quality, and competition especially in the classes for table decoration and baskets of flowers was close, and excellent taste in arrangement was shown. The June exhibitions were fair. Paeonies were exten- sively shown on the 18th. The rose show on the 25th brought out a good display of roses, though as a whole they lacked quality. There were no exhibitors in class for rambler roses in pots. Notable at this show was the table of very fine blooms of paeonia grandiflora and the display of hardy perennials. July 2nd. This was the best show of the season to date, there were seven exhibitors in class for twent}^ vases of cut flowers, all of high quality; also nine exhibitors in class for twenty vases delphinium hybridium. The flowers in these two classes alone making a fine show. Wild flowers were the feature of the show held July 9th. There were five extensive and very interesting ex- hibits of these flowers. On Jul}' 16th, there were flne exhibits of pentstemons and 1914-15] REPORT OF JUDGE OF FLOWERS 27 hollyhocks. Sweet peas w^ere also shown, but of medium quality. The following week, however, sweet peas were again extensively shown and of better quality. What interested the visitors in this show most perhaps were the table decorations of sweet peas. There were three tables very tastefully arranged. Gladiolus and asters were the feature of the August exhibitions ; the classes for these flowers w^ere well filled and the flowers shown of a high standard. Exhibitions during September were notable for the fine displays of dahlias, asters, scabiosa, phlox, lilies, and especially the tuberous-rooted begonias. The class for twenty vases cut flowers was well filled during this month and the flowxrs shown of a high grade. The chrysanthemum show which opened Nov. 5th was one of the best ever held by the society. Cut flowers of chrysanthemums single and double, also roses and carna- tions, w^ere very good. Some fine specimen chrysanthe- mum plants w^ere also shown. Several groups of flower and foliage plants were also exhibited and added much to the exhibition. WILLIAM ANDERSON, Judge of Plants and Flowers. REPORT OF JUDGE OF FRUIT Some exceptionally fine displays of various varieties of fruits in their seasons have made our exhibitions of unusual interest to the public this year. As a whole, fruit has been of a higher grade than in the past. Apples were especially good; very little wormy or im- perfect fruit has been seen in the hall this year. There was a good showing of strawberries, but the June drought in- jured many fields. The rains in July produced a good quantity and quality of raspberries, so that exhibits of this fruit excelled this year. There was a larger showing of grapes than there has been for a number of years, in spite of the fact that they were three weeks later than usual. Plums were good, but peaches were almost a total failure, there being only one exhibit. Pears were not up to the standard. The premiums and prizes were awarded as follows : Apples 233, pears 87, plums 61, peaches 1, strawberries 42, cherries 34, raspberries 10, blackberries 6, currant 24, gooseberries 4, grapes 53, quinces 8. There were displays of apples September 24, and November 5, making a total of 571 premiums awarded, 29 less than last year. HERBERT A. COOK, Judge. REPORT OF JUDGE OF VEGETABLES The season just closed can justly be classed as a very fruitful one, but notwithstanding this fact, the exhibitions of this society, owing to the peculiarities of the season, have hardly been up to the usual high standard. There have been individual exhibits of marked excellence, but the sea- son and the schedule have been so much at variance, there have been but few exhibitions when the schedule was filled. This condition of course cannot be foreseen and the sched- ule must be arranged as near as possible to meet average climatic conditions. The earliest calls 1 think should be continued, thus giving those in favored locations an opportunity to show what can be done under best conditions, and also serve as an incen- tive to all to improve conditions and methods. For a general call on some of the early vegetables I think a week later than at present scheduled might more nearly meet all conditions of season and location, and result in larger and better exhibitions. As usual, the collections of vegetables and the October exhibitions w^ere among the best of the season, bringing out fine specimens of different varieties and close competition. The exhibition of potatoes on September 17 was of marked excellence, as was also the showing of Hubbard squashes October 8. The special displays of vegetables on small tables have been a very attractive feature adding much to the appear- ance of the hall and reflecting great credit on the committee of arrangements and the officers of the society as well as the exhibitors for their skill in growing and taste in arranging their products. These special features should be continued. CHARLES GREENWOOD, Judge of Vegetables. REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS Worcester, Mass., Dec. 2, 1914 Your Committee on Winter Meetings would report a very successful series of meetings at one of which our delegate to the American Pomological Meeting in Washing- ton, D. C, David L. Fiske, Esq., of Grafton, made a very interesting report. Ladies' da}^ had a large attendance with an interesting talk on 'Tndian life," legends and songs by Miss Bee Ma3^es or ^'Floating cloud." In past years we have been told about the frozen north by Professor MacMillan, who is now in the Arctic regions, while in this series we had a sharp contrast in a lecture on ^^ Travels in South America," by Professor Blakeslee of Clark College. Closed with the Annual Reunion at which, with a fine array of speakers, President Breed ably presided; followed by a social time and dancing in the lower hall under the direction of Clifford T. Eldridge and his aids. For the Committee, ARTHUR J. MARBLE, Chairman. Progilimme of Winter Meetings Friday, January 2. Bird Lecture by Mr. F. Schu3der Mathews, Cambridge, Mass. Thursday, January 8. Illustrated Lecture — Alpine Flowers by Mr. Herbert W. Gleason, Boston, Mass. Thursda}^, January 15. Fruit Conference — Report of delegate to the American Pomological Societ}' Meeting in Washington, D. C, Mr. David L. Fiske, Grafton, Mass., and discussion. 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 31 Thursday, January 29. Ladies' Day — Talk on Indian Life, Legends, and Songs by Miss Bee Mayes (Pe-Ahm-E- Squeet), Floating Cloud, Boston, Mass. Thursday, February 5. Vegetable Growing and Market- ing by Mr. H. W. Tinker, Warren, R. I. Thursday, February 12. Illustrated Lecture — Travels in South America b}^ Prof. George H. Blakeslee of Clark College. Thursday, February 19. Illustrated Lecture — Co-opera- tion and Marketing as seen in Europe, by Mr. J. Lewds Ellsworth. Thursday, February 26. Seed Growing by Mr. S. F. Willard Wethersfield, Conn. Music of the Birds The first of the series of lectures to be given by the Worcester County Horticultural Society was Friday afternoon, January 2, in Horticultural hall. F. Schuyler Mathew^s, Cambridge, was the speaker, and his subject was ''Birds." Colored charts were used and with the aid of a piano and charts of sheet music he explained the songs of various birds and gave whistling imitations of those most familiar to Worcester people. Mr. Mathew told of the vast amount of good done by the birds and how impossible it would be to exist without them. He said: ''Toward the end of winter we do not expect the birds to do for us the work they do in the spring. Al- though that season is not upon us, we should know^ what is coming to us and watch very closely for the coming of the birds. "You read about the birds in books, but know little of their music. I am going to try to give you a key perhaps to a new world. If you remember one out of forty I will be pleased. The birds at your feet and in the trees are your 32 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 friends. You can not remember the birds by the sound of their song, for a bird may sing in one tone to-day, and when you again heard him the pitch would be different. But you can remember the sound of different birds by their mechan- ical rhythm." He then illustrated the song of the peabody bird, illus- trating by a tapping that his song was in five notes. He illustrated then by whistling the different ways that the bird may sing the notes, but always having the same time, though the pitch may never be the same. He pro- duced by tapping the mechanical time of the crow of the rooster. ''The downy woodpecker," he said, ''does not sing much." He explained its tapping on a pole or tree and how^ its mate would answer it from a distance. "The woodpecker," he said, "will drill his long bill into a pole or tree until he finds the part where insects are, and will then feed." The wood pewee he then illustrated, which he said is seldom seen on the ground, feeding on the wing, catching butterflies, moths and smaller insects in its path. "The birds," he said, "are busy at all times destroying the things that w^ould destroy our lives or the lives of our children." He spoke then of the beautiful song of the yellow^ hammer and told of music taken from his tones. "The black-billed cuckoo, which looks like a small, slim dove, continues in two notes for an extended time. He comes when the caterpillar is building its nest and eats all that it can find, and patiently awaits more. "The man}^ different species of warblers coming in May, June, July, eat the net surface on the back of the leaves and do an inestimable amount of good for the farmers. "The bluejay is rather destructive as it destroys the young birds and nests and eggs of other birds, but at the same time does his share of good, destroying many of the most harmful of the insects." 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 33 He then illustrated the song of the oriole. ''This bird," said Mr. Mathews, "is one of the few birds I have found it impossible to get a response from, as it is too busy at all times cutting in among the trees." Many kinds of sparrow^s were then illustrated and charts showed the various kinds, and the song illustrated which is the only way of telling these birds. The vesper sparrow, he explained, w^ould gather weed seeds, and recently in Ohio, weed seeds that would have amounted to twenty tons were destroyed by them. "The state hands out thousands of dollars to destroy the insects which destroy trees and shrubbery, but the birds do a great amount of good," he says. "The hermit thrush is one of the greatest singers in the world and is heard in the mountainous district as far south as New York. "The swainson thrush is more of a hermit than the hermit thrush, as it is seldom seen. The whippoorwill will get insects, flying through, the air with its mouth wide open and whiskers flying to catch all fl^^ing bugs. "Without the birds we would have to pass our lives on Mars or Venus, as everything we eat and have is aided by the birds of nature." On Alpine Flo\vers Burton Holmes, the noted lecturer, attended the second of the series of lectures given by the Worcester Horticul- tural Society in Horticultural Hall, Thursday afternoon, January 8. The speaker w^as Herbert W. Gleason, Boston, whose subject was ''Alpine flowers." Stereopticon slides from photographs taken by Mr. Gleason, during his tours of Alpine regions, were shown and the hues of these flow^ers which grow in mountainous districts wxre a treat to lovers of nature. The hall was taxed to its capacity and at the close of Mr. Gleason's talk he was congratulated by Mr. Holmes. 34 WOKCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 Mr. Gleason told of the glaciers and snow-peaked moun- tains, where alpine flowers grow which are even more beau- tiful than are the wild flowers that abound in the lowlands. In districts where the mountains are covered with snow many months, and where one would imagine that there could be little vegetation, these beautiful flowers of more than 1,000 varieties grow in abundance. '^Botanists," he said, ''include in the list of Alpine flowers only those growing on the mountain slope, but there are many Alpine flowers in the regions surrounding them. I have passed a part of each year in the mountains of the West, and feel proud of the grandure of these flowers which grow in indescribable abundance. ''I have photographed as many as 1,000 of them." Mr. Gleason then showed the regions surrounding lake Louise, on the Canadian Pacific line, where maii}^ of these alpine flowers grow, and also Mt. Victoria and Victoria glacier. Many of these flowers which cover the forest floor, as the arctic raspberry, the columbine in yellow and many other shades; the hairbell gentian along the hilly slopes, which will sway without even the slightest breeze in the air, and are attractive. Another flower shown on the screen was what is com- monly called shooting star. The wild garlic, which is common and of a beautiful ^^ellowish hue, has a decided onion odor, which mars its beauty. On the highest slopes, he said, these were found, and have a short season. Many forms of the dryus were seen, one the nodding dryus, of a deep yellow almost on an orange shade. He showed many of the handsome arnicas which abound on the slopes of Lake Louise. The moss campion, a plant bearing berries which grow 8,500 feet above the sea, and is found shooting between rocks where it gets its nourish- ment, was another slide shown. Man}^ thistles grow in those regions, one being the alpine thistle, which grows on the summits of the highest mountains. ''The sweet for- 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 35 get-me-nots, so familiar in these parts/' he said, ''grew in alpine regions in colors more beautiful than here, some as if doubtful as whether or not to take a pinkish tone or a blue." The white thistle w^as shown, which attracts the bees in these lofty slopes to get the large supply of honey which is wdthin. The dandelion that is found in the regions was show^n and is smaller than the field dandelion. Various forms of mushrooms that grow^ in the district, some of them being good to eat, w-ere show^n. Mr. Gleason then told of a trip to Mt. Abbott and to Mt. Fox. He also spoke of the Columbia River, w^here there is a multitude of alpine plants. ''A lily grows here," he said, '^w^hich is similar to our dogtooth, and these are seen finding their way through the snow. An Indian paintbrush in deep red is another flow^er growing there, and another is called the devil's cup and is disliked by huntsmen as it is covered with sharp needles and are impossible to get away from without injury. The men of Alaska hate this plant worse than a grizzly bear. The mountain daisy is found in many colors, some purple, others w^hite, and another seen is the wild geranium." Pictures were shown of animals that live in those floral regions, and the deer Mr. Gleason found tame. Alpine flow^ers that grow^ in Yellowstone park were show^n and the sulphur plant, wdld flox and asters of many kinds were among the collection which he showed. The Pacific coast, Paradise park, where there is a profusion of wild flowers, was a beautiful picture. Mr. Gleason said that glaciers and snow peaks are not the only thing in these countries worth seeing. He showed many hues of gentians which, he said, are strewm in varying shades from rich french blue to dark blue and purple, and weaving gently in the air are hosts of lovely w^hite anemone. He said there are broad patches of soldanella associated with crowds of crocus vermus 36 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 among the many floral gems, lending a subtle beauty to the effect of the regions. The alpine rose, one of the most common of alpine flowers, was one of the attractive flowers he photographed. David L. Fiske of Grafton Reports on Fruit Confer- ence IN Washington The third of the series of lectures conducted by the Wor- cester County Horticultural Society was Thursday after- noon, January 15, in Horticultural Hall. The speaker was David L. Fiske, Grafton, who was a delegate for the society at the recent fruit conference of the American Pomological Society in Washington. After his talk, questions w^ere asked by members regarding the growing of different fruits. Mr. Fiske said in part: ''G. L. Tabor, vice-president of the society and president of the Florida State Horticultural Society, showed 82 varieties of citrus fruits, from tiny kumquet, size of marbles, to the shaddock of 15 pounds' weight. The Japanese per- simmon is Mr. Tabor's special pride of which he exhibited 37 named varieties, with trees in fruit and methods of propagation. ''W. P. Macoune, dominion of Canada, horticulturist, responded for the North and claimed preference for a cold country, mentioning that Canada had for three 3^ears received first prize against all comers for the best bushel of wheat; told of the immense areas of land especially adapted to horticulture. '^Ontario and British Columbia grow all kinds of fruit, peaches and apricots, wonderfully fine. The people of Canada use what they can, but the United States and Euro- pean markets take most of the Canadian fruit. Apples are packed in boxes, the minimum size of which is 10 inches deep, 11 inches wide and 20 inches long, inside measure. Quality marked best are of uniform size and all perfect; 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 37 number 1, 90 per cent, perfect; number 2, 80 per cent, perfect. ^'The Missouri experiment station had a very interesting experiment in hybridizing two varieties of apples, in an effort to combine the best quality w4th strong grower and long keeper. A Ben Davis tree was selected and pollen from the Jonathan variety was sprinkled over its bloom. Seeds from apples grown on this tree were planted and resulted in something like 1,000 new trees. These have come to fruiting and develop 368 distinct varieties, 65 of which were shown, numbered but not named. ''The variety known as Ingraham is considered the best all-around apple grow^n for Missouri. The Missouri pippin, though a native, and formerly w^ell thought of, is Avorthless, being full of disease. Grimes' golden is a grand fruit but a poor grower, and dies at the root early, and is being grafted on Ingraham. The Gideon, though small in Massachusetts, w^as shown. This is a late fall apple, smooth everywhere, a great yield- er, but too much on the yellow^ transparent type to be popu- lar in Massachusetts. ''Professor How^ard discussed the cost and probable profits of growing the apple crop and said it was much complicated because an orchard must withstand for the first several years the action of the evils. To get at the profits he would charge total of all expenses till the advent of the first crop, and deduct from these expenses everything received from incidental crops that the land meanwhile may have produced. "He thought it possible to get the first crop of fruit the eighth year and would expect an orchard to last 40 years after and to yield some 25 crops. "Among successful large orchards, the Evans peach orchard at Bryon, Ga., was mentioned as having produced 98 carloads the third year from planting, and the next year 140 carloads, nearly all of the elberta variety. 38 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 ''The new Hale peach was exhibited and excited much comment from the fact that unprotected specimens heaped up on a plate, all through the week session, maintained a fine appearance with no signs of decay. ''A. C. Pomeroy, Rockport, N. Y., reported on the Per- sian walnut, the so-called English walnut. He said he had seven original trees planted by his father some 50 ^-^ears ago, and from these he gathered this 3^ear, 35 bushes, 3^et l| bushels for 12-year trees was about all one could expect. ''He said that many were growing Persian walnuts in New York, as they are more profitable than apples. They do not have to go through the hands of the jobbers, need no spraying, no ladder picking and there is no danger of a glut. J. G. Rusk stated growing of these nuts is just as profitable here as in California. "W. M. Scott, Maryland, read a paper on the control of orchard pests. He found spraying all important and was pleased to see it now becoming general and but for this 50 per cent, of the crops would be useless. The United States now grows 40,000,000 barrels of apples each year, 90 per cent, of which can be rendered perfect by spraying and even the 10 per cent, can be eliminated with more thorough work. "The chestnut industry at home was considered by Pro- fessor Collins, who stated that there were in America thirty diseases attacking the chestnut including the new one, which is reported from the Orient and is very destructive. It is known by dead patches of bark with orange colored dots. "Our state was represented by Edward P. Wilder; Pro- fessor Sears of the Massachusetts Agricultural College; Wilfred Wheeler, secretary of Massachusetts Board of Agriculture; Harold Frost, president of Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association. Our state was also represented by a long hst of the very best apples and pears we know with neither bruise nor blemish upon them. "The exhibition was a grand success, more than 2,500 separate exhibits were on the tables, of these 450 were 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 39 absolutely new to us. Blueberries, nearly an inch in diam- eter, pears, plums, peaches, strawberries were in evidence. Floating Cloud Says It Is Part of Indl\n's Religion TO Care for Body Horticultural Hall was taxed to its seating capacity Thursday afternoon, January 29, w^hen Miss Bee Mayes of the Cherokee tribe of Indians entertained with stories of Indian life, legends and songs. It w^as women's day of Worcester Horticultural Societ}^, and many women and young persons were in the audience. Miss Mayes, or Float- ing Cloud, wore Indian costume, her long black, glossy hair hanging in two braids interwoven with bright red ribbons, and her costume was covered with bright colored beads. She came from the region of the Great Lakes, where her tribe lives. She told of the life of her people. In the spring they tap the maple trees, and w^hen this season passes they travel to the Lakes to fish, w^here they remain until the berry season arrives. There is then the harvest time and the celebrations before they return to their winter homes. ''Our people,'' she said, ''are a people of songs. We sing at all times and for all occasions and express every emotion with a song. We may sing a song to-day that we would never sing again. We have, however, great songs of history. ^'The children make songs, old men make songs, the mother has a sweet song to hush her baby, the hunter has his song; in fact, we sing at all times. We begin the day with a song, and close the hours of night with one." She then sang many of these songs, one being the song of the wicked old man. "People think," she said, "that all tribes of Indians are alike and their language is the same. One cannot under- stand the other; their custom of living is different, and their homes, their symbols, their signs and their dress are not the same. 40 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 ''One tribe would have to have an interpreter to under- stand the other, just as you w^ould. We welcome the white people in our homes and in our life. We have in our tribe two family stories, w^hich are never told to any w^hite man^ and have certain signs that w^e never reveal. We often tell a falsehood if it helps our people, not that we believe in telling lies, but at times when we wish to keep our secret.'^ The Indian girl showed many Indian articles, as the Indian rattle, the candleholder, and the symbols of the sun,, corn, water and others which are used at the harvest time. She wxnt through part of this ceremony with these different symbols, singing in her sweet voice during the ceremony. ''We speak our language in different ways," she said. "We have a signal language in which we send a word a great distance. These are given by fires, the brighter the fire, the greater the danger, or the number of fires means great danger. "A blanket is another way in which we speak, holding the blanket in one direction means a certain thing, while to wTap the blanket closely around you means great trouble. We have signals in hunting to tell what animal abounds the region and where he is located. "The Indian child is w^ell brought up. Fom infancy we are taught to endure, strapped to the back of a board; our feet and hands bound we are unable to kick, and if we cry it would do no good. We rest during our first months and sleep in the open. "Our education begins at an early age, and then we are taught to swim, run, climb, hunt, and in this way grow strong. We are taught the signs of nature, and with the boys it is a necessity to know how^ to tell where an animal is located and what danger the hunter is in. "It is part of our religion to care for our body, as it is the greatest thing the Great Spirit gave us, and we grow strong with nature and healthful exercises. We do not wor- ship the sun, but adore it, because it comes to tell us that the Great Spirit is wdth us." 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 41 She told of legends of the times when animals and Indians talked together, and of the falling out the Indians and the animals had, and how all of them except the dog and horse were against the Indian, and that is why these two animals are such good friends of the Indians and why they hunt and kill other animals. The Winter Meeting of the Worcester Horticultural Society Thursday afternoon, February 5, in Horticultural Hall, was of much interest to horticulturists and market gardeners. Frank J. Kinney introduced H. W. Tinker, Warren, E. I., w^ho told of vegetable growing and marketing in Providence. Mr. Tinker in part said: ^' I am going to talk on the vegetables w^e most commonly grow. The question is, why don't j^ou make more money out of growing? Massachusetts is expending thousands of dollars each year on market gardens, and they are not getting the money out of them that they were twenty years ago. ''Agriculturists have not taught you to grow things right. In the preparation of land the idea comes first of fertilizing. The Boston gardeners have forgotten how to use anything but manure for fertilizing to enrich the land. We of Providence do not believe in too much of this manure. We have found great advantage in using phosphoric acid. ''We have found in the growing of cabbage that the result is better heads and quicker growing than when other forms of fertilizing are used. I do not know whether or not it's the lime, but we can grow cabbage as fast as anyone. I do not think that this would be good for all vegetables. I would not advise it for beets or tomatoes. For peaches, cabbage, carrots, it is superior to any other form." Mr. Tinker then told the proper way to plant cabbage plants, w^hich he said should be planted when the frost is 42 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 still in the ground, and they should be allowed to stand three weeks after freezing. It was wise, he declared, to cover them with an old bag, and not uncover them until the first of March, if planted in early February. ''If they do not thaw out until they reach the sunlight it hardens them and helps the plant," he said. He con- sidered the Copenhagen the best kind of cabbage. ''My pet crop is tomatoes," he said, "and I can make more mone}^ on an acre than on any other vegetable. For the tomato we plant the seeds in February and set them out February 15, in hothouses for market gardeners' use. They are transplanted four times, never less, and set out about May 1 in paper pots. ''These we set on new^spapers, wdth two rows of boards to back them. We fertilize for tomatoes as heavy as we can. Potash is what colors vegetables in growing. Picking is an important thing after growing. We pick the tomatoes when one-day green, or when they begin to show the slight- est signs of changing color, and put them in the packing shed and sort them over. "We use as much pains in sorting them as in apples. We sell every one of the three classes and do not waste any of them. I have the best success in packing tomatoes in a peach crate." Mr. Tinker then spoke of conditions regarding the market gardeners in Rhode Island, and told of the time when a license was demanded to sell goods, and it cost us ninety cents a square foot to stand to sell goods. "Well," said Mr. Tinker, "about 175 of us market gardeners got together and bought a space of land a little from the city and divided it into stalls and it cost us less than ever and we sold more goods. The scheme worked out and now the city wants to buy the land from us. We are not going to sell unless a municipal market is started, and have a superintendent to take charge of it. 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 43 ''We will sell then, either wholesale or retail, and the buyer wdll cart his own goods away, or go to the superin- tendent to arrange for their delivery." A discussion followed the talk, and Mr. Tinker was questioned about the growing of vegetables. In Horticultural Hall Horticultural Hall was taxed to its capacity, Thursday afternoon, February 12, when Professor George H. Blakes- lee, Clark University, spoke on '' Travels in South America,'' under the direction of Worcester County Horticultural Society. Professor Blakeslee confined his remarks chiefly to Peru, Chile and Bolivia, and said the opening of the Panama canal will bring South America into greater trade connec- tions than now exist. He showed an outline map and explained the weather conditions that prevail, saying the Andes range, in cutting off the winds from the coast, renders the territory so dry that rain seldom falls in some parts of Peru. ''It would be impossible to judge Peru from the desert country," said Professor Blakeslee, "for there are the irri- gated valleys where cotton of a peculiar nature growls from 15 to 20 inches in height, and is called peruvian cotton. "Water is brought many miles to the irrigated regions, through iron pipes, and the mule also is used as a water carrier. Sugar is another crop growing in Peru, and al- though much of the old custom prevails on the sugar cane plantation, modern methods are being introduced." Has Views of Europe President J. Lewis Ellsworth of the Chamber of Com- merce spoke on "Cooperation and Marketing in Europe," Thursday afternoon, February 19, in Horticultural Hall, 44 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 under the direction of Worcester County Horticultural Societ3\ Pictures taken by Mr. Ellsworth on his recent trip through Europe were show^n on the screen. The col- lection contained views of farming in Germany, Holland, Denmark and England, and buildings of importance on the continent : Mr. Ellsw^orth said in part : ^^ We saw farming on the Alps where there is fine culture, and we found the women w^orking in the fields with the hoe and shovel. The women do a greater part of all w^ork, and we found them employed even in the brickyards. One field that attracted our notice w^as where there were thirty w^omen working and thirty pair of oxen. ^'Cooperation is carried on in Europe to a great extent. We found farmers sold their milk to cooperative companies and one farm run by cooperation was divided into 650 shares." Mr. Ellsworth showed pictures of this farm and of the milk process and other slides showed views of a government farm at Budapest, where fine horses are raised. The speaker showed scenes of buildings in Budapest and other buildings of interest, street scenes, where markets are and which showed women selling pigs in crates. Mr. Ellsworth said that the tools used in Holland and Germany are inferior to those of American make. They mow fields of grass with a hand sc^^the. The children of Germany go to school at seven o'clock in the morning. The}^ have two morning sessions and tw^o after- noon sessions. Mr. Ellsworth thought this a good scheme and would recommend it in America. Pictures were seen of the fair at England, where the king had his horses, and for which he received a prize. Beauti- ful flower gardens were seen in the different parts of the country, and these surround every home, no matter how humble. Mr. Ellsworth answered maii}^ questions, and the talk proved to be of great interest. 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 45 On Seed Growing The Winter Meeting of the Worcester County Horti- cultural Society, Thursday afternoon, February 26, in Horticultural Hall, brought out many men and women who are interested in seed growing, which was the subject of S. F. Willard, Wethersfield, Ct., who was introduced by President Edward W. Breed. At the close of the lecture Mr. Willard answered questions and other persons gave their experience at seed growing. That cheap seeds are a poor investment was impressed on the audience. Mr. Willard said, in part: ^'Commercial seed growing is one of the important divi- sions of the great agricultural industries of our country. It requires the skill that comes with experience and a knowl- edge of conditions which affect the product in the varied localities and sections wherever seeds are grown. The principal growers, or companies engaged in the business are experts. ^' They have trained men in charge of departments. Close watch must be kept of all details to insure purity of stock, proper selection, a thoroughly cured product and proper labeling, as well as cleansing and testing for germination. As a business enterprise, it is one of much hazard, both from loss of crops by unfavorable weather conditions and by surplus crops on which there is often a heavy loss. ^^In early days the seed growing of the United States was largely in sections adjacent or having convenient trans- portation to the cities, for seed growing is closely connected with, and may be said to have been developed along with vegetable growing. ''The market grower in this way kept control of the type he required, thus acclimating or developing strains to a given section. The period of great development in seed growing in America has been the fifty years since the close 46 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1914-15 of the Civil War. It is not to be measured so much by the increase in population as by the requirements of our people for fresh vegetables the year around and the enormous use of canned vegetables. ''Our variety of climate makes the planting season con- tinuous. Tomato seeds are sown in Connecticut in March or April, transplanted in June, the ripened fruit gathered in September, the seed cleaned, cured and shipped at once to Florida, where it is immediately planted, and the second crop of ripe tomatoes is sent to northern markets in Febru- ary. "As our country has developed westw^ard, new^er sections have become seed producing centres, and the business of seed growling, once closely confined to the eastern states, has spread out across the states to the Pacific coast, so that we in New England have lost somewhat our relative position as a source of supply. ''The quality, how^ever, of the old estabhshed types pro- duced by the seed growers, market and farmer growers of eastern states, has never been surpassed. In Europe seeds are produced greatly in England, France, Germany, Hol- land and Denmark, also to some extent in Italy, Sweden and New Zealand. These countries may be said to produce for the world, for in addition to the large quantities sent to Canada and America, they have large markets in India, Russia and Africa. There is some demand for a few of our American varieties for use in the sections of Europe where the climate is similar to our own. "Seed growing the world over is a matter of confidence, secured by acquaintance and years of business dealing w^ith continuous and careful trial testing. Some speakers on vegetable growing have suggested that market growers select and save seeds for their own use. In some cases this is good advice, but too hterally followed in some cases would mean great confusion and loss. 1914-15] REPORT OF WINTER MEETINGS 47 ^^My plea to the market growers is that they should save seed, but onh^ when his local conditions are most favorable to produce high quality and when he fully understands the merit of his crop, along lines of character and type. ''Given these conditions, and the required knowledge, the market grower should select and bring up to its full development such strains as are important to him and can be kept true. The man that can and will speciaUze in this way can easih^ establish his reputation and obtain the satis- faction of having accomplished a good work that will abide." Mr. Willard then told of seed growing in connection with plant breeding and showed what had been accomphshed in recent years. ''We need to keep ever in mind" said Mr. Willard, "that even if we give a crop the greatest care, and attain the high- est perfection in quality, there is always the necessity of selection of the best for reproduction and not only the best in appearance, but the true type. Men have experimented to obtain new^ varieties, b}^ method of cross fertilization and with success among many varieties of flowers, but very little of value among garden vegetables, yet much has been learned by the results obtained. "The law of survival of the fittest does not apply to plants in any development for quality except as they re- ceive all the care and protection possible for many to be- stow. We must consider in our selections the possibility of plant breeding on the lines of quality and productiveness as w^ell as appearances. Nature's efforts are to mature seed, so plants can be said to form habits, taking all the time there is in a given section, in our comparatively short season. It's somewhat of a hurry-up habit, but we get the thicker shell on our squash, egg plants and other things, for that is nature's way of protecting the seed, and we get the harder, more solid heads of cabbage for the same reason. "These, and many others similar, give you in this state an opportunity which j^ou certainly should use to the best advantage."