I Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/yearbookofpennsy1954penn 19 5 4 YEARBOOK of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Oldest Horticultural Society in America "■'"■^rr^.r--^' With Reports for 19 5 3 Edited by MRS. GEORGE REATH THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 389 Suburban Station Building 1617 Pennsylvania Boulevard. Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania OBJECTIVES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY To stimulate and promote an interest in horticulture in its widest sense: the growing of plants — flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables and fruits (both large and small). To that end the Society maintains central offices at 389 Suburban Station Building in Philadelphia, with an excellent library and a trained horticulturist. All facilities are available to members throughout the year. The Society takes a large and important part in The Philadelphia Flower Show, and holds an annual Chrysanthemum Show at Swarthmore in conjunction with the Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation. Timely exhibitions are held in the rooms of the Society during the fall, winter and spring months. Of these, the December Christmas Decorations and the June Peony shows are outstanding. During the winter lectures are given by leading authorities on dif- ferent horticultural subjects. At suitable times in the spring and fall selected private gardens are opened for visits by members of the Society. These garden days are very popular and attract large numbers. The Society is also interested in civic improvement and beautification, and has completed its work on the Azalea Garden in Fairmount Park. Membership dues include a subscription to Popular Gardening, a leading garden magazine, as well as a free ticket to the Philadelphia and Swarthmore Flower Shows and use of the other facilities — lectures, use of the library, garden consultations and garden visits. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which is the oldest horti- cultural society in the United States, was founded in 1827 and celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 1952. The present membership is over 5600 and an invitation to join the Society is extended to anyone who may be interested. Annual Dues, $5.00 Toward the Endowment Life Membership Fee, $100.00 (May be paid in installments) Sustaining Member, $1,000.00 Benefactor, $5,000.00 Patron, $10,000.00 Wlake Checks Payable to THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 389 Suburban Station Building 1617 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania (Telephone: RIt+enhouse 6-8352 - RlHenhouse 6-7185) OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL President MR. J. LIDDON PENNOCK, JR. Vice-Presidents MR. GEORGE R. CLARK DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR. MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Secretary MRS. E. PAGE ALLINSON Treasurer MR. GEORGE R. CLARK Assistant Treasurer MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Term Ending December 31, 1954 MRS. E. PAGE ALLINSON DR. JOHN B. CARSON DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR. MR. FAIRMAN R. FURNESS MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON MR. FREDERICK W. G. PECK MRS. WALTER REBMANN MISS ESTELLE L. SHARP MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER Term Ending December 3L 1955 MR. CHARLES BECKER, JR. MR. ALFRED M. CAMPBELL MRS. F. WOODSON HANCOCK MR. J. LIDDON PENNOCK, JR. MRS. GEORGE REATH MRS. G. RUHLAND REBMANN, JR. MRS. W. BEAUMONT WHITNEY, H MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR. MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Term Ending December 31, 1956 MR. W. ATLEE BURPEE, JR. MRS. WILLIAM E. PHELPS MRS. JOHN B. CARSON MRS. CHARLES PLATT MR. GEORGE R. CLARK DR. J. FRANKLIN STYER MR. HAROLD GRAHAM MR. CARROLL WETZEL MRS. J. NORMAN HENRY MRS. HARRY WOOD OFFICE STAFF MRS. BROOKS SEMPLE, Executive Secretary MISS MARY P. PHILLIPS, Horticultural Consultant MISS MARY S. GREEN, Librarian MRS. CATHERINE TAGGART, Membership Secretary COMMITTEES FOR 1954 The President, ex-officio, is a member of all committees. Executive Commit+ee DR. JOHN B. CARSON, Chairman MRS. E. PAGE ALLINSON MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON MRS. JOHN B. CARSON MR. J. LIDDON PENNOCK, JR. MR. GEORGE R. CLARK MRS. G. RUHLAND REBMANN, JR. MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Finance Committee MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON, Chairman MR. GEORGE R. CLARK MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR. Library Committee MISS ESTELLE L. SHARP, Chairman MISS DARTHELA CLARK MRS. WEBSTER BARNES MRS. GEORGE ORR Lecture Committee DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR., Chairman MRS. ALBERT C. BARNES MRS. LYNWOOD R. HOLMES DR. WENDELL H. CAMP MRS. ALAN H. REED Horticultural Committee MRS. CHARLES PLATT, Chairman MRS. EDWARD M. CHESTON MRS. J. FOLSOM PAUL MRS. F. JOSEPH STOKES, JR. Exhibition Committee MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER, Chairman MR. HARRY WOOD, Co-chairman MRS. GUSTAVE BALLENBERG MRS. CHARLES HOGG, JR. MR. CHARLES BECKER. JR. MR. ERIC H. JENKINS MRS. SAMUEL D. CLYDE, JR. MR. WAYNE W. RADCLIFFE MISS ELEANOR W. DAVID MRS. ARTHUR HOYT SCOTT MR. WILLIAM G. ELLIS MRS. HARRY WOOD MR. HAROLD GRAHAM MR. WALTER L. HEWES. Chairman of Staging Displays in Rooms Committee MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR., Chairman MRS. WILLIAM W. BATTLES MRS. RICHARD H. PREWITT MRS. GAMBLE LATROBE MRS. JOSEPH B. TOWNSEND, JR. 4 Garden Visits CommiHee MRS. W. BEAUMONT WHITNEY, II, Chairman MRS. JOHN B. CARSON MRS. GEORGE R. CLARK MRS. FRANCIS HARRISON Membership Commit+ee MRS. G. RUHLAND REBMANN, JR., Chairman MRS. H. CARL ALBRECHT MRS. HARRY W. IVIAGEE MRS. JAMES CAMERON BLELOCH MRS. HENRY N. MARSH MRS. WILLIAxM G. BYERS MRS. KARL RUGART MRS. HARRY C. TILY, II Editorial Committee MRS. GEORGE REATH, Chairman Azalea Garden Committee MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR., Chairman DR. JOHN B. CARSON MR. JOSEPH B. TOWNSEND, JR. MRS. HOWARD A. FOSTER MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER MR. WILLIAM H. NOBLE, JR. MR. CARROLL R. WETZEL MR. FREDERICK W. G. PECK MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Philadelphia Flower Show Committee MRS. WALTER REBMANN, Chairman MISS ELEANOR DAVID MRS. VAN HORN ELY MRS. CHANNING WAY OFFICE RECORDS— 1953 There were 4,239 visitors to the Rooms, including 1,933 who came to special exhibits, 1,153 who came to the Library, and 362 who came to the lectures. Fifty meetings were held in the Board Room by committees of the Society and the Executive Council, and twenty meetings were held by committees of other horticultural groups. The membership record for the year is as follows: Membership as of January 1, 1953 5,432 Losses, including 47 deaths 612 4,820 New members added during the year 891 Membership as of December 31, 1953 5,711 5 JOHN BAKER CARSON 22nd President of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society AN APPRECIATION In 1950, John Carson stepped into a vague and somewhat anomalous office as President of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. This year, he has left that office in a determinate and strong position as leader of a constantly growing and very active organization. When C. Frederick C. Stout resigned the Presidency because of increasing ill health and John C. Wister, who had been largely carrying the burden of the Society for many years, let it be known that he did not wish to succeed Mr. Stout, the problem of a successor seemed difficult. The position should be filled by a man who is an expert in horticulture as well as an executive. He should be young enough to be active, yet able to devote considerable time to the affairs of the Society. Although he was not at the time a member of the Council, the Nominating Com- mittee had the great good fortune to persuade John Carson to take the job. Dr. Carson is a well-known grower of superb roses and an enthusi- astic gardener; he is a person of energy and determination. With gusto and good will he took hold of a vague job, completely strange to him. He defined the work and, at the end of a brief time, helped to train an almost entirely new staff, made necessary by retirements and resignations. He quickly realized that the imminent 125th Anniversary of the Society should be properly recognized, and he appointed an outstanding com- mittee. The Park Commission was approached and it donated a site; an Azalea Garden was planned, and the members of the Society generously responded to an appeal for funds. This beautiful and educational garden is now an accomplished fact. For celebration a gala dinner was pro- posed, and it took place in the great rotunda of the Franklin Institute in the fall of 1952. Dr. Carson's administration will long be remembered for these highly successful activities. A change in the By-Laws having provided for three one-year terms after which the President may not succeed himself. Dr. Carson completed his last term in January of 1954. The Council of the Society tenders him not only its deep thanks for his untiring work, but its admiration and affection. MARY MP. ALLINSON Chairman, Executive Committee (Mrs. E. Page Allinson) ANNUAL MEETING— 1953 The 127th annual meeting of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was held in the Society Rooms on the afternoon of November eighteenth, 1953. Dr. John B. Carson, President of the Society, opened the meeting by welcoming the ninety-four members who were present. Upon the reading of the report of the Nominating Committee, the following members were unanimously re-elected to the Council for a period of three years: Mr. W. Atlee Burpee, Jr. Mrs. John B. Carson Mr. George R. Clark Mr. Harold Graham Mrs. J. Norman Henry Mrs. William E. Phelps Mrs. Charles Piatt Dr. J. Franklin Styer Mrs. Harry Wood The Council regrets to announce the resignation of Mrs. Alan H. Reed, who has faithfully served the Society for many years. The officers of the Society and the Committee chairmen read their annual reports which are printed on the following pages. At the conclusion of the business meeting, Dr. Wendell H. Camp gave a lecture on the use of potted plants in the garden, or "The Gentle Art Of Going To Pot". His talk was most interesting, and was enjoyed by the members present, 7 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has had a very active and successful year. The work done by the different committees is a remark- able achievement in many horticultural lines. You will hear from the different committee chairmen individually. As these reports are made, you will appreciate more and more the extensive activities that are going on from day to day, and from month to month. Our own committees held thirty-six meetings in the rooms during the past year, and other organizations interested in horticulture held thirty-one meetings during the same period. The annual spring luncheon was held in the main ballroom of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel on March 17, 1953, and was very successful. Over four hundred members and guests were present. Miss Alice Chaun- cey gave a very interesting talk on European gardens illustrated with beautiful colored slides. The Society is in good condition financially and, under the careful supervision of our treasurer and financial committee, is free from debt. However, the continually increasing expenses and rising costs make it necessary to keep the balance sheet in mind. Serious thought must be given to increasing our income, because the margin between it and our expenses must be widened. The great increase in our membership has helped, but a point may be reached when the expenses connected with a greatly increased membership will necessitate an increase in the office staff to care for the extra work involved. Should the Society dues be increased? There are very few organ- izations that give so much for so little. We must realize that the Society gives to its members: free lectures, free tickets to the great Philadelphia Flower Show every spring and to the beautiful Chrysanthemum Show at Swarthmore every autumn, timely exhibitions in the Society's Rooms every month, the use of a wonderful library, horticultural consultation service, access to many lovely gardens in the Philadelphia suburbs when garden visits are arranged both in the spring and in the fall, a subscription to the well-known monthly garden magazine "Popular Gardening", and the use of the Rooms for either personal or committee convenience. The dues, as you know, are only five dollars a year. Does not that amount seem really very little for all of these privileges? The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society should be the center of gardening activities in the Philadelphia area, and it is anxious to do all that it can to increase horticultural knowledge and to bring the pleasures 8 of gardening to as many people as possible. The Society also, from time to time, should undertake some worthy project that will be of benefit to the community. The Azalea Garden in Fairmount Park is the most recent example of what can be done in this way. Another important problem is whether the Society should continue in its present rooms or move elsewhere. A number of interesting possi- bilities are being considered and carefully studied by a Committee headed by Mrs. Richard D. Wood, Jr. How can the Society better serve its members? Suggestions are desired. We are sure many of you have some excellent ideas. Three years ago, the Council wisely changed the By-laws so that the president and the vice-presidents could not serve more than three years in these offices. This will therefore be my last annual report to the Society. I have learned that we have a wonderful group of people in our membership. I want to thank the members of the office staff for their loyal support and cooperation, and also to commend them for the excellent work they are doing. Finally, I want to thank the members of the Council not only for their help, but also for having given me the honor, the oppor- tunity and the privilege of having been your president for the past three years. JOHN B. CARSON, President REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR 1952- 1953 For Years Ending September 30+h STATEMENT OF CONDITION Cash Current Bank Account $26,979.64 Savings Account 9,627.39 $36,607.03 (These accounts include special purpose funds and uninvested principal.) Other Assets - including $20,640.61 furniture and fixtures $21,990.75 Less Liabilities 169.61 21,821.14 Investments Schaffer Trust $283,519.47 Life Membership 59,701.95 General 36,128.60 Library 74.00 Pension 11,470.00 390,894.02 $449,322.19 INCOME AND EXPENSES 1953 1952 Receipts $47,087.78 $43,068.93 Expenses 40,532.47 33,773.42 $6,555.31 $9,295.51 Sources of Income Schaffer Trust $11,066.00 $10,866.50 ■■•'Investments 6,071.71 5,116.24 Annual Dues 24,790.00 23.510.00 Garden Visits 48.66 436.24 'Special Funds 5,111.41 ■^^•"■" 3,139 95 -::- -» ( $47,087.78 $43,068.93 Includes Interest on Savings Fund Account. Includes Life Membership Dues, Library Receipts, Special Contributions, Pension Fund Receipts, 125th Anniversary Contributions. ' In last statement, includes only Life Membership and Special Contributions. 10 EXPENDITURES BY COMMITTEES 1953 1952 Executive . $16,817.85 $16,303.83 Lecture 669.82 724.95 '■Exhibition 2,234.55 2,684.24 Library 6,983.74 4,565.83 Horticultural 55.00 213.00 Editorial 8,026.11 7,736.76 Pension 1,350.00 1,480.00 Membership 1,330.98 1,203.33 125th Anniversary 764.50 707.95 ■""•"■Miscellaneous 919.49 377.76 125th Anniversary Fund 2,509.89 TOTALS $41,661.93 $35,997.65 Less 1953 1952 New Books $229.46 $ 219.91 Pension 900.00 1,480.00 New Equipment 524.32 $1,129.46 $2,224.23 1,129.46 2,224.23 Net Ordinary Expenses For All Committees $40,532.47 $33,773.42 * Includes Displays in Rooms. ** Includes Social Security, Spring Luncheon, Prepaid Expenses, Chrysaniliemuni Show, Accrued Payroll Tax. GEORGE R. CLARK, Treasurer. November 18, 1953. II EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE November, 1952 to November, 1953: in twelve short months we have had 2792 visitors to the Rooms — just a shade under 3000 — but we wish that our whole membership of over 5000 would partake of the pleasure! We think that those who came got what they wanted; and if they did not, we hope they will tell us about it. As chairman of your Executive Committee, I want to say that I think we have had a good, a cheerful, and an active year. With the exception of Miss Phillips and Mrs. Barnes, half of our staff was new. And from all reports, as well as the satisfaction of the Committee, Mrs. Semple and Miss Green carried on with notable success and learned the new jobs quickly. In June, Mrs. Barnes resigned after sixteen years of service, and we wish her well and success in her new job. Mrs. Catherine Taggart became membership secretary in September and is filling the position with great satisfaction to all concerned. There appear to have been no major crises in the work of the Society, but the Executive Committee has made many recommendations to the Council, including certain changes in the By-Laws to facilitate organization; it has clarified the giving of the Society's Awards, and it is currently engaged in investigating the prospect of a new home. The cost in the present Rooms is great, and it has frequently been suggested that a house of our own, or at least a place on the ground floor, would enable us to render greater service. ~ I want, as always, to express my appreciation of the loyalty and regularity with which the members of the Executive Committee attend its meetings. Upon the conclusion of one of these meetings, one com- mittee member remarked, "well, at least at these meetings you are not greeted with a loud burst of silence". Opinions are freely expressed and ideas for the improvement of the work flow unremittingly. We endeavor to keep pace with the changes in modern society, and to fit the work of the Horticultural Society to them. MARY MP. ALLINSON, Chairman. (Mrs. E. Page AUinson) 12 AWARDS COMMITTEE The President of the Society is to set up a Committee of not less than three nor more than five persons to determine the eligibility of persons or organizations for the awards of the Society. This Committee may be continuous or may be appointed each year at the discretion of the President and the Council. All awards shall be subject to its approval, but the Courtesy Award may be automatically used for such purposes as have been prescribed and such others as may be determined at any time by the Council or the Committee. There shall be three types of Award: 1. The Courtesy Award. A simple card with the seal of the Society but no gold seal attached. This award shall be sent to persons who open their gardens or for similar service or assistance to the Society. 2. The Flower Show Award. This shall be the same kind of card as the Courtesy Award but shall have a gold seal attached. It shall be used at Flower Shows at the discretion of the Judges of the Society, or may be ex- changed with other Societies for their awards, or offered to specialty Societies for their shows. In the last two cases it shall be stipulated that it be given by qualified judges for a specific purpose to be designated by our Committee. 3. The Special Award for Horticultural Excellence or Achievement. This award shall be in the form of the large parchment scroll with the beautiful engraved emblem of the Society. Recom- mendations for this award should be referred to the special committee for investigation and then passed by the Council before being awarded. The Committee need not look up re- cipients for the Special Award, but should be entrusted with this duty for special occasions, and may at any time investigate possible recipients without having recommendations made to it. It would be advisable for the Committee to investigate the advisa- bility of exchanging awards with the other Horticultural Societies. MARGARET REBMANN (Mrs. Walter Rebmannj MARY M-P. ALLINSON (Mrs. E. Page Allinson) 13 GARDEN VISITS COMMIHEE I am glad to have this opportunity to tell you that the Garden Visits Committee had a most successful year. Thanks to the generosity of the owners of the very beautiful gardens we visited, we were able to give pleasure to 1,768 of our members and friends. We visited three Saturdays in the spring: Wilmington on May 2nd. the Main Line on May 9th, and the Whitemarsh area on June 6th. A most successful "Day On The Farm" was held on October 10th. The following is a list of the gardens visited: Mrs. Francis B. Crowninshield Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Clark Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wheelwright Mr. and Mrs. Irving Warner Mr. H. Rodney Sharp Mr. and Mrs. Francis H. Scheetz Mrs. Axel Jonsson Mr. and Mrs. Cummins Catherwood Mr. and Mrs. William A. Randall Mrs. Adolph G. Rosengarten Mr. Charles J. Rhoads Mr. and Mrs. George R. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Robert McLean Mr. and Mrs. C. Jared Ingersoll Mr. and Mrs. Orville H. Bullitt Mr. and Mrs. Morton H. Fetterolf Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adams Keen FRANCES T. CARSON Chairman. (Mrs. John B. Carson j 13 HORTICULTURAL COMMITTEE The Horticultural Committee held a Clematis Symposium in March which was well attended by an enthusiastic audience who joined in the Round Table discussion on the trials, tribulations and glories of growing Clematis. Mr. Stephen Fairbanks, of Hingham, Massachusetts, showed lovely colored slides. On the panel were Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Wood, Jr., Mr. George R. Clark, Mr. Fairbanks and the chairman. There were interesting comments from the floor, and the only regret was the lack of time to cover all the many angles of culture. The talk could have continued for hours more. Minutes of the meeting were mailed to those who had signed up for them. Our annual Daffodil Project had a good showing at the Daffodil Show in April, and four new varieties will be shown in the 1954 Project. It is planned to hold a Peony Symposium in March — both tree and herbaceous peonies being featured. DOROTHY FALCON PLATT, Chairman. (Mrs. Charles Piatt) MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE The year 1953 marked an all-time high in the membership of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. In June we reached our peak: 5,932 menibers. We finish the fiscal year with a membership of 5,960, which represents a net increase of 259 over the preceding year, and a net gain since November 1950 of 530 members. The committee is most grateful to our friends who have made this growth possible. We are very sorry to report that Mrs. Clay Barnes, our Membership Secretary for many years, retired last summer. Mrs. Barnes' work for the Society was inspired by genuine interest, and the Membership Com- mittee is particularly grateful for her loyal, intelligent service. We are very fortunate in having Mrs. Taggart as our new Membership Secretary. She has taken hold of the work with efficiency and enthusiasm. Activities of our committee during the past year included the following: 16 A concentrated campaign in February and April, during which 5000 invitations were sent to selected lists. A card, sent with the Garden Visits program, reminding you that if you were not a member the Garden Visits alone would cost as much as the entire membership fee and, in that case, you could go only as a guest of a member. Radio appearances by members of the committee: Amos Kirby and Gladys Webster have been generous with time on their programs. Distribution of invitations at flower shows and garden visits. A letter to our members asking that each one secure one new member. We thank most heartily all of you who did this. One part of our work which has been somewhat neglected is life memberships. The committee, in striving to build up annual member- ships, has not stressed sufficiently the importance to the Society of life memberships. This seems to me an appropriate time to call attention to the fact that the fee for life membership may be paid in five annual installments of $15.00 each. In joining this distinguished list of espe- cially interested friends of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are adding to the financial stability of the Society, and therefore to its effectiveness. Another way in which we think that our membership work could be improved is in making new members know that they are warmly welcomed in the Society. We are therefore planning to send to all mem- bers, who have joined within the last year, a special invitation to come to the Christmas Show on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon of the Show, and asking that they introduce themselves to members of our committee who will be there to greet them. We ask our members' continued cooperation in increasing our mem- bership. You are the ones who really get new members. Personal invi- tations are the ones most likely to be accepted. Won't you keep the Society in mind when you are talking to your friends? Bring them to some of the interesting displays in the Rooms. Tell them of the many other privileges which you receive for a small fee. Give them a warm invitation to join us. MARY B. REBMANN, Chairman. (Mrs. G. Ruhland Rebmann, Jr.) 17 PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW COMMITTEE The responsibility of making all arrangements in the center aisle of the 1953 Flower Show was delegated to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society by the Philadelphia Flower Show, Incorporated, who gave a subsidy to the Society to cover expenses. The Flower Show Committee employed Mr. Frederick W. G. Peck, Landscape Architect, to plan the overall design. The end set, designed and painted by Mr. Charles Evans, was a realistic reproduction of a Philadelphia waterfront street, circa 1827, in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women was responsible for a lovely city garden with gazebo, using plant material in keeping with the period. An outstanding exhibit was that of the Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America, an old Philadelphia Apothecary Shop and Medicinal Herb garden. Mr. Peck planned the center aisle to feature azaleas which are hardy in this area. Eight garden clubs exhibited in two classes stressing azaleas — a terrace garden and a woodland planting. Between these gardens, Mr. Peck designed recesses planted with azaleas, rhododendrons, and tulips, with a piece of contemporary sculpture in each. A new class for arrangements on pedestals was introduced in 1953. Other classes showed interiors and arrangement in niches, as usual. One of the educational exhibits which caused a great deal of interest was "A Window for a Convalescent Child", complete with flowering bulbs, hamsters in a cage, and a bird feeding station on the sill. A Demonstration Class on flower arrangement, worked out by Mrs. T. Bromley Flood and Miss Eleanor David, was again a great success. Others on the Horticultural Society Committee, who contributed greatly to the Show, were Mrs. W. Beaumont Whitney, Special Representative, whose advice and help were invaluable; Mrs. J. Ebert Butterworth, Vice- chairman of Schedule and Exhibits Committee; Mrs. Van Horn Ely, Chairman for Judges; Mrs. James C. Hornor, Mrs. Harry C. Groome, Jr.. Hospitality Chairmen, and Mrs. Charles Becker, Jr., who so ably handled the publicity. We believe the success of the Show was due not only to the three hundred or more Garden Club ladies who worked so hard, but also to the husbands and sons who gave so unstintingly of their time and energy. 19 Plans for 1954's Show include changes which made it impossible for the Horticultural Society to take the center aisle again. The Garden and Room Classes will adjoin each other, and the public will look through one into the other. Mrs. Channing Way and Mrs. Harry C. Groome, Jr., who are responsible for these Classes, have worked very hard on the com- plicated mechanics involved, but feel that the effort is well worth while, and that the exhibits of contiguous gardens and rooms will enhance each other. Miss Eleanor David, Chairman, and Mrs. William Randall, Vice- chairman, who are in charge of the Niche and Table Classes, are busy making up a schedule which includes many new and interesting ideas. In 1954, the Show opens on March 29th, and we are sure that our mem- bers will want to join us in seeing this beautiful preview of Spring. MARGARET BROOKS REBMANN, Chairman, Standing Committee Philadelphia Flower Show. (Mrs. Walter Rebmann) EDITORIAL COMMITTEE The Editorial Committee's job is to keep the activities of the Horti- cultural Society in the public eye through "Popular Gardening". This task is not a difficult one, because there are so many things going on in this organization that we are sometimes in danger of running over our allotted space of two hundred and fifty words. Mrs. Ruhland Rebmann wrote a clever article on the benefits of membership for us, which is probably the reason why nine new members can be attributed directly to "Popular Gardening". We are also grateful to Miss Phillips for her article on our garden in Fairmount Park. The summer issues seem to be a bit of a problem because everyone needs to hibernate occasionally, even the Horticultural Society. Any ideas for material for July, August and September issues would be gladly received. ISABEL D. REATH, Chairman. (Mrs. George Reath) EXHIBITION COMMITTEE The annual Chrysanthemum Show, sponsored by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in cooperation with the Arthur Hoyt Scott Horti- cultural Foundation and the Philadelphia Branch of the National Asso- ciation of Gardeners, opened at the Field House of Swarthmore College on Friday, November 6, 1953 — during one of the most crippling snow- storms in the history of this locality. The Show, according to many officials, was the finest ever held at the Field House. The Philadelphia Gardeners and the Wilmington Gar- deners each staged a huge exhibit of very fine chrysanthemums. The Morris Arboretum contributed a most unusual display of berried and fruited trees and shrubs. The amateur classes of cut flowers and gardens were of exceptionally good quality, due perhaps to the ideal growing conditions prior to the show. Keen interest and competition was again shown in all the various arrangement classes. These were filled to capacity. It was also the first time plants of the hardy Camellia sasanqua were included as part of a garden planting. The Silver Cup for Class 46 was retired, both legs having been won by Mr. Charles Becker, Jr. The quality of the plants, grown by the twenty-seven individuals who were represented, showed great improvement over the previous year. This class will be re-activated in 1954. The Society is very grateful to the Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation and to Swarthmore College for the wonderful assistance that is always so willingly given in helping to make the show possible. I would like, at this time, to thank all the members of the Exhibition Committee for their fine work in helping to make the show a horticultural achievement. The attendance figures, however, were far below previous years, due to weather conditions on Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th. Had the good Lord chosen to give us a weekend similar to the ones we had most of the autumn, I am sure all attendance records would have been broken. WILLIAM H. WEBER, Chairman. 21 LIBRARY COMMIHEE The Library Committee is gratified that our books are being used more each year. Over one thousand visitors came to the library this year, and 1,069 books have been in circulation. We feel very definitely .our successful year is due to the excellent work of our librarian, Miss Mary Green, who is always ready to help you. It is due to her effort that the library runs smoothly and efficiently, a fact appreciated by the other members of the staff as well as by the Library Committee. Ninety-four books and pamphlets have been added to our shelves. Sixteen members presented books to the library — the two largest gifts being a group of gardening books from Mr. Sanford Saltus and a collec- tion of old books from Mrs. Douglas Earle. The Society is most grateful for these gifts. We are proud to have among our new books one entitled "Wild Flowers of America", which contains beautiful illustrations by a member of our Council, Mrs. Charles Piatt, This year the Library Committee has developed a policy of selling duplicate copies of books in excess of our needs. Miss Green has a shelf of old books for sale where you might find a bargain. When ordering new garden books, be sure to order them through the Society. Our library is used frequently by students from art schools, from the University, and from the Academy. One student from the Drexel Library School made a study of our library for her master's thesis, this year. The architect, who is designing a Japanese Tea Garden for the Art Museum, has made use of some of our books on Japanese gardens; these books were a gift from Mrs. Arthur Hoyt Scott. Many members feel that the library privilege alone is worth our membership fee. We hope still more of you will enjoy the library in the coming year. ESTELLE L. SHARP, Chairman. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS— 1952-53 BECK, CHRISTABEL. Fritillaries. Faber & Faber, 1953. BERKALL, JULIA. A History of Flower Arrangement. Studio-Crowell, 1953. BLASDALE, WALTER. Cyclamen Persicum. Stanford Univ. Press, 1952. BONNER & GALSTON. Principles of Plant Physiology. Freeman, 1952. BOTANICAL FINE ART WEEKLY. Wild Flowers of America. Buek, 1894. 22 BROOKS, JEROME. The Mighty Leaf. Little, Brown, 1952. CHABOT, ERNEST. How to Grow Rare Greenhouse Plants. Barrows, 1952. CLARK, WILLIAM. Plants in Pots. Little, Brown, 1952. CONWAY, J. GREGORY. Treasury of Flower Arrangements. Knopf, 1953, FEARON, E. E. The Happiest of Men. Crown, 1947. FOX, HELEN M. Abbe David's Diary. Harvard Univ. Press, 1949. FRIEDMANN, HERBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America, Part XL U. S. National Museum, 1950. GANNON, RUTH. Decorating ivith Plants. Studio-Crowell, 1952. GERARD, GEOFFREY. Electricity in the Garden. CoUingridge, 1953. GORDON, JEAN. Pageant of the Rose. Studio-Crowell, 1953. GRAVES, ARTHUR. Illustrated Guide to Trees and Shrubs. The Author, 1952. HAGBERG, KNUT. Carl Linnaeus. Dutton, 1952. HELLYER, A. G. L., Ed. The Horticultural Exhibitor s Manual. CoUingridge, 1952. HILL, AMELIA. Arranging Flowers from the Roadside, Fields and Woods. Studio-Crowell, 1952. HOTTES, ALFRED. The Book of Perennials, 7th ed. De La Mare, 1950. HUME, H. HAROLD. Hollies. Macmillan, 1953. HUNT, MRS. ROY ARTHUR. Botanical Books, Prints and Drawings. ' Carnegie Institute, 1952. JEFFERSON-BROWN, M. J. The Daffodil. Faber & Faber, 1951. KUMAGAE & HASHIZUME. Selected Arrangements of Moribana and Heikiva. Yamanaka, 1934. LEE, COE, MORRISON, PERKINS & WEISS. The Azalea Handbook. American Horticultural Society, 1952. LESTER, FRANCES. My Friend the Rose. McFarland, 1952. MARCUS, MARGARET. Period Flower Arrangement. Barrows, 1952. MARKHAM, ERNEST. The Large and Small Flowered Clematis, 3rd ed. Scribner, 1951. McFARLAND CO. & AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY. Modern Roses IV. McFarland, 1952. MURNEEK & WHYTE. Vernalization and Photoperiodism. Chronica Botanica, 1948. NICHOLS, BEVERLY. Merry Hall Dutton, 1953. RICKETT, H. W. IFild Flowers of America. Crown, 1953. SACKVILLE-WEST, VIRGINIA. In Your Garden. Michael Joseph, 1951. SCHULZ, PEGGIE. Gloxinias — and How to Grow Them. Barrows, 1953. SPRY, CONSTANCE. Summer and Autumn Flowers. Studio-Crowell, 1951. Winter and Spring Floivers. Studio-Crowell, 1952. TAYLOR, NORMAN. The Permanent Garden. Van Nostrand, 1953 TEALE, EDWIN WAY. Green Treasury. Dodd, Meade, 1952. THIMANN & BEHNKE-ROGERS. The Use of Auxins in the Rooting of Woody Cuttings. Harvard Forest, 1950. TRAUB & MOLDENKE. Amaryllidaceae: Tribe Amarylleae. American Plant Life Society, 1949. TSUJIL KOSHU. Selected Floiver Arrangements of the Saga School. Seikasha, 1933. UNDERWOOD, RAYE. The Complete Book of Dried Arrangements. Barrows, 1952 U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE. The Yearbook of Agriculture, 1952 -Insects. WATKINS, JOHN V. Gardens of the Antilles. Univ. of Florida Press, 1952. WHITE, GILBERT. The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne Macmillan, 1900. WOOD. MARIE. Flower Arrangements Judged and Point Scored. Merriewood, 1952. WRIGHT, W. J. Greenhouses, Their Construction and Equipment, 3rd ed Orange-Judd, 1946. 23 RESOLUTION Expressing the sincere appreciation of the people of Philadelphia, through the members of City Council, to The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for their generous and beautiful gift of many plants, shrubs and trees, consisting of more than two hundred varieties, that are to be in the completed Garden in Fairmount Park at the entrance of the East River Drive, behind the Art Museum. Whereas, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with its head- quarters here in Philadelphia, was founded in 1827, and is the oldest horticultural society in America; and Whereas, On the twenty-iifth of November, this year, the Society will celebrate its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary; and Whereas, The members felt that it was fitting and proper on the occasion of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's one hundred twenty- fifth anniversary to give to the City of Philadelphia, through the Fair- mount Park Commission, a garden of botanical beauty, made up of thousands of plants, shrubs and trees, which includes azaleas, rhododen- drons, dogwoods, hemlocks, and more than two hundred other varieties, which are to be included in the completed garden; and Whereas, These lovely plantings have been made possible by one thousand four hundred five contributing members, who include the Phila- delphia Flower Show, Inc., The Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation of Swarth- more, The Morris Arboretum, Vick Nurseries, Charles H. Mueller, of New Hope, Upper Bank Nurseries, Andorra Nurseries, deKalb Nurseries, F. D. Moore and Son, William H. Doyle, Inc., The Davenport Tree and Landscape Service, John Albrecht Nurseries, Bobbink and Atkins, and Kingsville Nurseries, and other members who made contributions as memorials ; and Whereas, Mr. Frederick W. G. Peck, the landscape architect, has generously given of his talent and his time; therefore Resolved, By the CouJicU of the City of Philadelphia, That the citizens of Philadelphia, through the Council of the City of Philadelphia, go on record as expressing its deep appreciation to the members of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for their civic generosity in enhancing the beauty of Fairmount Park; and Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be certified and forwarded to The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 389 Broad Street Station Building, 1617 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania. Certification: This is a true and correct copy of the original Resolution passed by the City Council on the sixth day of August, 1953. James A. Finnegan, President of City Council. 91 125+h ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE The year which has ensued, since the last annual meeting, has been an eventful one for the 125th Anniversary Committee. On November twenty-fourth we celebrated the 125th anniversary of our founding at the Franklin Institute, the same institution in which the Society was born. A total of two hundred and ninety members of the Society attended. Cocktails were served, followed by a delicious dinner. The principal speaker of the evening was Dr. John M. Fogg, Jr., a member of the Society and Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. He spoke of horticultural events of particular concern to the Society's history. We had, as might have been expected, a delightful talk from our President, Dr. Carson, giving some unusual, humorous and interesting sidelights on the previous one hundred and twenty-five years of the Society's exist- ence. Medals were then awarded by the Society to the following: Gold Medal to Mr. W. Atlee Burpee for the Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. Silver Medal to Dr. John M. Fogg, Jr. SiL"^ER Medal to Mrs. Charles Piatt, who designed the 125th Anni- versary Seal for the Society. Silver Medal to Mr. Harry Wood. It was felt that the evening was a proper one for such a noteworthy occasion. The most important development the chairman of your committee has to report, however, is the planting of our garden in Fairmount Park. You may recall that the 125th Anniversary Committee decided, after a lengthy discussion, to offer the Fairmount Park Commission the oppor- tunity of our creating for the City an azalea and rhododendron garden. The site selected was a triangle bounded by the Art Museum, the East River Drive, and Boathouse Row, and having as its westerly apex the Italian Fountain. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in October, 1952, at which Mayor Joseph S. Clark, Jr., was the principal speaker. Actually, planting got under way in the spring of 1953. At the present time, we can say that this garden is substantially completed even to the planting of a great many spring-flowering bulbs. A large boulder is being put into place by the Park Commission, and a suitable bronze plaque designed by the late Mr. Joseph P. Sims has been affixed to it. In addition to this, many of the plants have been marked with tags for the benefit of the horticulturally minded. Total of $10,195.00 has been raised from 1,407 members of the Society. 25 Total number of woody plants in the garden to date: 1,484 including over 200 varieties of Azaleas and Rhododendrons, plus Dog- wood, Hemlock and Sorrel trees, and Laurel and Andromeda. We feel this covers most of the known types which will grow in this climate. Total of herbaceous material: 7,000 including Scilla, Phlox, Mer- tensia, Trillium and Narcissus costing $576.00. Total of Azaleas and Rhododendrons bought: 800 costing $4,546.92 J Total amount left in the 125th Anniversary Fund: $2,506.21 Total of 684 plants, donated by the following Nurseries and Arboretums: Alanwold Nursery Andorra Nurseries Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation Bobbink and Atkins Davenport Tree and Landscape Service DeKalb Nurseries F. D. Moore & Son Fairmount Park Commission John Albrecht Nurseries Kingsville Nurseries Morris Arboretum Robert S. Horn, Jr. Styer's Nurseries Upper Bank Nurseries William H. Doyle, Inc. Total of 1,000 Scilla bulbs, donated by Charles H. Mueller The chairman of the 125th Anniversary Committee hereby respect- fully submits his resignation and that of the other members of the committee, which feels that its mission has been accomplished. We suggest to the President and the Executive Council of the Society that a Maintenance Committee for our garden in the Park be created without delay, as it is only by constant supervision that this planting will con- tinue to be the credit to our Society that it should. Your 125th Anni- versary Committee will leave for the Maintenance Committee about $2,506.21 for the replacement of plant material, and also leave for the Maintenance Committee the very cordial relationship with the Park engineers in the form of Mr. Vodges and Mr. Noble. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR., Chairman 26 DISPLAYS IN ROOMS COMMITTEE The Christmas Greens Show in the Rooms, last December, had a good attendance, some people coming from quite a distance to get ideas; and our press coverage was good. We even had fifteen minutes on TV, demonstrating the exhibits. But our material was disappointing. There were not many entries, scarcely enough to make a good display and, with a few outstanding exceptions, the calibre was low, certainly not up to the usual high standard of design and originality. This year, we have a very enthusiastic and capable chairman, Mrs. Richard Prewitt, who has already done a lot of work to get good exhibitors. Last January, Pennock, Florist, put on a beautiful exhibit, which featured basic winter arrangements with the occasional use of a few fresh flowers. This excellent display proved to be very popular with our members! During February, several young sculptors from the Academy of the Fine Arts showed their latest work suitable for a garden. A reception was held at the opening of the exhibition in their honor. The young men were grateful for the opportunity to display their work, which was most interesting. In April, our finest Daffodil Show (so far) was under the able chairmanship of Mrs. William Battles, assisted by the Gardeners Garden Club and The Garden Club of Wilmington. It was removed from our Rooms to larger quarters on the ground floor of The Central Penn National Bank, on Broad and Walnut Streets, where it was hoped a larger crowd would see it. They certainly did! There were 280 entries from 70 exhibitors, with an estimated crowd of 600 or 700 attracted to it. As was to be expected, there were some minor headaches suffered in producing it; but now that we know their causes, we hope to remedy them this April, when the Show will again be held in The Central Penn National Bank, with even more space allotted to us. In May, we announced the birth of a new show — the Peony Show. This new baby was small, but very strong! There were only four amateur exhibitors, but the most gorgeous displays from Styer's Nurseries and the Scott Foundation not only drew the crowds, but created a great deal of enthusiasm for peonies. This spring the Peony Show will again be held the last of May, and in March the Horticultural Committee will hold a symposium on the growing of these magnificent flowers. In October, through the courtesy of Mr. Fairman Furness, the Upper Bank Nurseries put on an exhibit of plants recommended for their brilliant autumn coloring. As always, Mr. Furness produced unusual plant material, which is of great interest to our members, and the display was very beautiful. Please take the time, this afternoon, to examine the 27 display of Tropical House Plants, exhibited here now by Albrechl's. You will find lots of ideas for plants in your house this winter. In January, there will be a demonstration in these Rooms by the School of Horticulture, on the latest methods of pruning tree, bush and vine fruits, with a display of the best pruning equipment. It will be most educational. In addition, we have tentative plans for an exhibit in February, a display of named varieties of tulips by J. Howard French the beginning of May, and an exhibition of roses in June. This report could not be concluded without giving a great deal of credit to the staff. Miss Mary Phillips works very hard over this com- mittee and has marvelous cooperation from Mrs. Semple and Miss Green. Many thanks to them all. MARGARETTA D. WOOD, Chairman. (Mrs. Richard D. Wood, Jr.) LECTURE COMMITTEE The Lecture Committee is making plans for two lectures in January — an afternoon one on exploration, and an evening one on conservation. Then, in February, we expect to have one speaker on leaf feeding and another on azaleas. The February subscription course for home gardeners will be re- peated again this year. It will be built around the topic "Selected Plants For The Garden", and we shall have three evening sessions — with lectures on bulbs, on herbaceous materials, and on woody plants. JOHN M. FOGG, JR., Chairman. 28