1955 YEAR BOOK The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society n The beautiful design on the cover of the Yearbook was made for the Horticultural Society by a nnember of the Council, DOROTHY FALCON PLATT. Mrs. Piatt is a well-known artist who combines botanical knowledge with artistic skill to create flower paintings and horticultural designs of great distinction. n 19 5 5 YEARBOOK of THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Oldest Horticultural Society in America With Reports for 19 5 4 THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 389 Suburban Station Building 1617 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/yearbookofpennsy1955penn THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY is a non- profit organization of individuals whose purpose is to promote horti- culture. The annual reports of committee chairmen in the following pages give some idea of how this aim is pursued. Horticultural knowledge is made available by means of lectures, symposiums, projects in plant culture, displays of fine plant material and demonstrations of cultural procedures. The Society also has an excellent horticultural library which may be used either directly or by mail. A trained consultant helps the members with gardening problems. The Society takes an important part in both the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Chrysanthemum Show at Swarthmore, and stages other shows of seasonal interest. It has an active interest in conservation and civic improvement. It recently gave to the City an azalea garden in Fairmount Park, and continues to have a part in the maintenance of this garden. Members of the Society have the privilege of visiting, without charge, many private gardens in this area. Dues also include a subscription to Horticulture, a leading garden magazine. The present membership is over 6000. An invitation to join the Society is extended to all who are interested in sharing its privileges and its work. Annual dues, $5.00. Life Membership fee $100.00. (may be paid in installments.) Sustaining Member $1000.00. Benefactor $5000.00. Patron $10,000.00. Make check payable to THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 389 Suburban Station Building 1617 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Philadelphia 3, Pennsylvania Telephone: RIttenhouse 6-8352 - RIttenhouse 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 3L 1955 MR. CHARLES BECKER, JR. MR. ALFRED M. CAMPBELL MRS. J. FOLSOM PAUL MR. J. LIDDON PENNOCK, JR. MRS. GEORGE REATH MRS. G. RLIHLAND REBMANN, JR. MRS. W. BEAUMONT WHITNEY, II MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR. MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Term Ending December 31, 1956 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 PLATT DR. J. FRANKLIN STYER MR. CARROLL R. WETZEL MRS. HARRY WOOD Term Ending December 31, 1957 MRS. E. PAGE ALLINSON DR. JOHN B. CARSON DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR. MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON MR. FREDERICK W. G. PECK MRS. WALTER REBMANN MISS ESTELLE L. SHARP MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER OFFICE STAFF MRS. BROOKS SEMPLE, Executive Secretary MISS MARY P. PHILLIPS, Horticultural Consultant MISS MARY S. GREEN, Librarian MRS. CATHERINE E. TAGGART, Membership Secretary — 4 — COMMITTEES FOR 1955 The President, ex-officio, is a member of all committees. Executive Committee DR. JOHN B. CARSON, Chairman MRS. E. PAGE ALLINSON MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON MRS. JOHN B. CARSON MRS. G. RUHLAND REBMANN, JR. MR. GEORGE R. CLARK MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Finance Committee MR. WILLIAM CLARKE MASON, Chairman MR. GEORGE R. CLARK MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR. Library Committee MRS. GEORGE REATH, Chairman MR. W. ATLEE BURPEE, JR. MRS. E. FLORENS RIVINUS DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR. MR. RICHARD H. L. SEXTON Lecture Committee MR. CHARLES BECKER, JR., Chairman MR. CARL W. FENNINGER MR. CHARLES K. HALLOWELL DR. JOHN M. FOGG, JR. MR. JOHN C. WISTER Horticultural Committee MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR., Chairman MRS. FREDERICK L. BALLARD, JR. MISS GAINOR ROBERTS MISS JOSEPHINE deN. HENRY MR. RICHARD H. L. SEXTON MRS. J. FOLSOM PAUL MR. JOSEPH B. TOWNSEND, JR. MRS. RICHARD H. PREWITT Chrysanthemum Show Committee MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER, Chairman MR. HARRY WOOD, CoChairman MRS GUSTAVE BALLENBERG MR. HAROLD GRAHAM MR. CHARLES BECKER, JR. MRS. CHARLES HOGG, JR. MRS. SAMUEL D. CLYDE, JR. MR. ERIC H. JENKINS MISS ELEANOR W. DAVID MR. WAYNE W. RADCLIFFE MR. WILLIAM G. ELLIS MRS. ARTHUR HOYT SCOTT MR. WALTER, L. HEWES, Chairman of Staging Exhibition Committee MRS. HARRY WOOD, Chairman MRS. J. GIBSON McILVAlN BUNTING DR. ETHEL B. HANKELE MRS. T. BROMLEY FLOOD MRS. CARL B. WATSON — 5 — Garden Visits Committee MRS. W. BEAUMONT WHITNEY. II, Chairman MRS. JOHN B. CARSON MRS. GEORGE R, CLARK MRS. FRANCIS HARRISON Membership Committee MRS. JOHN B. CARSON, Chairman DR. ETHEL HANKELE MRS. RICHARD H. L. SEXTON MR. H. GLEASON MATTOON MRS. JOHN H. THACHER MRS. RICHARD H. PREWITT MR. JOSEPH B. TOWNSEND, JR. MRS. BENJAMIN RUSH, JR. MRS. JAQUES L. VAUCLAIN MRS. EDWARD F. R. WOOD, JR. Editorial Committee MRS. G. RUHLAND REBMANN, JR., Chairman Azalea Garden Committee MR. GRAHAME WOOD, JR., Chairman DR JOHN B. CARSON MR. FREDERICK W. G. PECK MR LEE CLARK MR. JOSEPH B. TOWNSEND, JR. MRS HOWARD A. FOSTER MR. WILLIAM H. WEBER MR WILLIAM H. NOBLE, JR. MR. CARROLL R. WETZEL MRS. RICHARD D. WOOD, JR. Philadelphia Flower Show Committee MRS. WALTER REBMANN, Chairman MISS ELEANOR DAVID MRS. VAN HORN ELY MRS. CHANNING WAY Awards Committee MRS. WALTER REBMANN, Chairman MRS. VAN HORN ELY MRS. CHANNING WAY MRS. W. BEAUMONT WHITNEY, II OFFICE RECORDS— 1954 There were 4,084 visitors to the Rooms, including 1,738 who came to special exhibits, 1,109 who came to the Library, and 308 who came to the lectures. Thirty-one meetings were held in the Board Room by committees of the Society and the Executive Council, and twenty-six meetings were held by committees of other horticultural groups. The membership record for the year is as follows: Membership as of January 1, 1954 5741 Losses, includina: deaths 744 4997 New members added during the year 835 Membership as of December 31, 1954 5832 — 6 — I ANNUAL MEETING— 1954 The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society held its 128th Annual Meeting on November 17, 1954, in the Rooms of the Society. Mr. J. Liddon Pennock, Jr., President of the Society, presided. There were 127 members present. Upon presentation of the report of the Nominating Committee, the following members were unanimously re-elected to the Council for a period of three years: Mrs. E. Page Allinson Dr. John B. Carson Dr. John M. Fogg, Jr. Mr. William Clarke Mason Mr. Frederick W. G. Peck Mrs. Walter Rebmann Miss Estelle L. Sharp Mr. William H. Weber Mr. Carroll R. Wetzel, who had been appointed by the Council to fill a vacancy in the group whose term ends December 1956, was duly elected to fill that position. Mrs. Allinson announced with great regret that Mr. Fairman Furness had asked to have his name withdrawn from nomination, his term ex- piring in December of this year. Mrs. Allinson expressed the gratitude of the Council for Mr. Furness' long and faithful service to the Society. The officers and committee chairmen presented their annual reports which are printed on the following pages. At the conclusion of the business, the President gave a warm wel- come to Mrs. Arthur Hoyt Scott and Mr. John Wister, former Council members and always devoted friends of the Society. After adjournment of the meeting, the members were entertained by a skit written and acted by two members of the Council, Mrs. Walter Rebmann and Mrs. G. Ruhland Rebmann, Jr. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT The year 1954 has been a successful one for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. This success is due in a great degree to the firm foundation on which the Society has been built. Reviewing our past administrators, each in his way added his part, so that today we are not only one of the oldest horticultural societies, but we are also one of the strongest. It is to them that we owe a debt which we can repay only by continuing to stimulate the interest in horticulture as promulgated by them for over one hundred and twenty-five years. Our present Council is one of which we are proud — each representing the many facets of horticulture which go to make up our Society. It is true that during the years we lost several of these valued members, whose good counsel we miss exceedingly, but they have been replaced by others. This able group of men and women give generously of themselves in the running of our affairs. Whether horticulture is their vocation or an avocation, the benefits which are reaped from their advice and guidance are legion. They give not only of their time, but also their often special- ized knowledge to help solve the ever recurring problems which are constantly confronting us. The Committee chairmen, who carry out the various phases of our activities, have performed their duties with a fine sense of responsibility. It is their almost daily attention that reflects the dispatch with which their jobs are carried through. Our office staff is a well organized, closely integrated group, co- operating not only with committee heads, but also with each other to a degree which is remarkable when there is actually such a divergency of duties. In a sense they are the facade of the Society, since it is they who meet those members who personally visit the rooms or who require services by telephone. It is indeed gratifying to have the privilege of working with this outstanding group of men and women. We, as members of The Pennsyl- vania Horticultural Society, should consider ourselves fortunate that we have running our organization a group whose talents are such that they have been able to maintain the high horticultural standards set up by our past administrators. J. LIDDON PENNOCK, JR. President CO CO t> o (N CO C^ CO t CO C- vO t> CO O CO O 1 — 1 tr- io d 1-H ON r— 1 ON ON C^ 1— 1 CM 1—1 On Cs| O (N lO lO c- O LO CSI '^ O CO (M* _ \0 CO "^ '!# .-H 13 CO o o O^CO_ ■^ MO lO CO o i>-"\d' ^ CO (N r- (D CO o O ^ O On r- ^ Cs! o CO ^ O L^ cd '13 CO LO t-H On CO c4 On > l^ vO LO CO ^ '^ '^ (N (M '^ On^ r— 1 LO C^" o cm" VO" co~ r— T m^ o by ^ -^ CO I— LU V.Q I--eOc/^ ... i?OH I 1— CO O CT! -T3I-^ U- -JiZ^ O ^ LU LU h- Jb"- c^ 0) < o 1_ Q- o On LO 00 LO 3 ■£ S " 0^ 1=1 o 3 < o LO r- (N o ^ o LO -^ d CO '^ cm' en o o o nH M LO LO co^ CO CJ '^ r— 1 vo" ^-, LO C Cs] S CO ^ ^ > eg s ,—1 S CO ^ o .-S CO ,^ O On , • ,-1 1 o ^ t- nH <0 O for the fiscal Assets of the , also that the two years in a cfi in ( — 1 C% O (N O O ON -^ CO O) CO lO CO 03 9-30-; $107,18< 2,73' $109,92 64,49 1,30 CM I-- Ll UO LO"CD 1-- On r—i Oi On CM 5 o o o <: ;iety the .954, last Zq __ cS^ < tn O • • (N tJ O lO S J^ 1 — 1 Soc orth 0, 1 the fied Sign C CO • • ^ .2 u^ • ■ CA (M O CO o Lo od o o t-^ pi .^ ro ■ ■ rsi LO '^ (N CO ^ l- _ ^+-1 CO .rH ■. ^ w o Pi o Addi $12,2) -4,4: CO (N r— 1 1— 1 1 — 1 4^ Horticultura tement sets September Operations of ;h Pi^ w Pi . o w p:i K fl ., r- o 1— 1 • 1 m i^^^ 1^ ffi o ^-^ Pi Transfers $27,813.6 -10,537.5 -17,276.1 isylvani going 1 ty as 1 ;s from ERR an By J en S cu (u -— ' < C^j (M_ csi (O rH af The :hat the of the •es the o c lo o r^ ^ 0^ CO "^ LO CO CO CM It? o •J ■ CO CO c- o :2 _; t- o r- IT- -- CN VO n-l ^ a:) .... .$102,06 . 62,25 . 1,17 o LO 1— 1 CM CO^ co" CO CM CM CO accounts ly certify tie Funds se comp; Ph ^ -« ^ fl s O U2 ks and nd here shows d Expe O 03 ^ C o O G "i a* M ^ V S o o ■^ Bo tn . 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(ft > -^ • 3 -Q -Q iver abo erst . 4-1 1/1 cs S rt .M Society's Fun General Ac Special Coi Pension . 125th Ann Total Life Memb Library 03 1! ^ We hav : ended Sep iety, and tt ched staten 03 03 O 03 O m C CD n3 yeai Soc atta O o CO (N (N LO r~- ^o CO 1^ ■* o CO VO ■* r— I COOOCOCO-^O'^l-OrOOOOOON ^_cocgcq^i-qLOvOLqooi-oOfO r-" lo oo c> c4 o ' T— H ■*' o o ■*' CO cr\ ^Ot— ONCO^ y^cOLOCOOrO-* ^(rqr-r— ICSlr— I CSlCvl^T— (t^ r-n I— lOcocooc-qoooLoe-q T— jO(N>qpOLqi>;Lqo cgtOr— Hi— i^d^OO^c^il^^ ONi— iLOi— lc^^o^\Or— ir^Tj" O^ -rf uo lO rO_ CO r-_^ i-T t-h" (n c^" lo md CO LU CO Q- VO ^ O CnI LO \0 ^ 1^ Csl CO O^ O, r-^ r— I rH |-H~ \0 ■* Loesir— i-^oqor— loo^oOLOor-LO cqcqc^LoooOi— ;asvqoi— jLoop r^cKLoa\Tj-Or— IVOONO co^cocoLO oco "# r^r— 1-^ ^ ^o CO r^ o I— I CO Tf CO CO r^ CO • CO O ON 'O • p LO CO p ■ I^ O ON ■«* . ^ vo o r- . vo, o\^ lo p ^ Cvf Cq r-H Z LU OS LU CO ro < LLI ^ [-- r^ r- CO CO CSI 0\ O LO os^ r^ c~-}^ I— I CO r-H \0 •*'" f^ooNC\ivooi>-cor~-OLn cocg c^-^^LOLOcocqpcq OLOCOONt--^LO'.OCJN-LOOr— I Lor^'^voOr—icsivocoovo COCOr-HOCOtNOO'-^ONi— I LO Cs] o CO LOOcocgooocsif— ieop 0\L0cn0N^c0O0N\Qt~^ CO"*OOi-H(r> ;c;?p, ,-^ I i CO H Sh S -S 3 S S i^'c c cfe Z ^ o *- * to Wh:1h-1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee during the present year considered and acted upon a number of different problems. The question of moving to other quarters was given careful study. After visiting several places, the Committee recommended to the Council that the Society continue in its present quarters. This past summer, air conditioning was put into this building and will be available if the Society wishes to incur the additional expense next summer. Meanwhile, two large fans are to be purchased, and it is thought that adequate com- fort can be obtained by their use at much less expense. One of the important activities taken by this Committee is the change to be made next year in our official garden magazine. A good garden magazine is one of the privileges of our membership. Our contract with POPULAR GARDENING expires with the next issue (December, 1954). POPULAR GARDENING, FLOWER GROWER and HORTI- CULTURE were all carefully considered. Our association with POPU- LAR GARDENING during the past three years has been a very pleasant one. However, many of our members have asked that a change be made to the magazine HORTICULTURE, which is published by the Massachu- setts Horticultural Society. This has finally been arranged and renews an association that had previously existed for many years. This Society will have a regular space allotted in the magazine each month for an- nouncement of our own activities. Please refer to this section. The Committee also recommended that this year the number of published copies of the Year Book be reduced to five hundred. The cost of publishing and sending a copy to every member (6000) does not seem justified, when the response to an inquiry resulted in only three hundred fifty members indicating a desire for copies. A Pitney-Bowes postage meter machine was purchased and installed to facilitate and expedite stamping and sealing envelopes. This is a great labor-saving machine. Each time notices are sent out, there are six thousand envelopes to be stamped and sealed. A few changes were recommended in the By-Laws, chiefly dealing with the method of handling investments, and also providing for a review of the Society's investments from time to time. The Executive Committee also recommended an increase in salary to each member of the staff and commends the staff for its excellent work throughout the year. Finally, as Chairman, I want to thank each member of the Executive Committee for the interest, thought and valuable time which they have given to the work of this Committee. JOHN B. CARSON, M.D., Chairman. — 12 — GARDEN VISITS COMMIHEE The Garden Visits Committee is deeply grateful to those who have opened their gardens for the Horticultural Society. The members look forward eagerly every year to this event and it is with sincere appreciation the Committee wishes to thank all who so generously have given us this privilege. In the spring of 1954 there was an average of 230 members and 142 guests at each of the following gardens. May 1st - Chestnut Hill Mr. and Mrs. J. Ebert Butterworth Mr. & Mrs. Charles Willing Mr. & Mrs. Charles I. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Frederick W. G. Peck Mrs. Thomas S. Gates May 8th - Ardmore, Gladwyne Mr. & Mrs. William Beverly Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Howard W. Taylor, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John R. Ott Mr. & Mrs. Louis C. Madeira, IV Mr. & Mrs. Franklin D'Olier May 15th - Rydal, Meadowbrook Mr. & Mrs. J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William R. Cross Mr. & Mrs. Walter Dannenbaum Dr. & Mrs. Damon B. Pfeiffer On September 18th, at the Church Farm School "Rose Day" there were 111 members and 50 guests. The receipts from the Garden Visits normally equal the expenses, but because of poor weather and the necessity for printing new certifi- cates, of which we now have a supply for future years, the cost exceeded the receipts by $185. Respectfully submitted, LOUISA N. WHITNEY, Chairman. (Mrs. W. Beaumont Whitney, II) — 13 — HORTICULTURAL COMMITTEE The Horticultural Committee provided a Christmas tree for the League Island Homes which was much appreciated. This is the Federal Housing Project where for several years we had distributed flower seeds, judged the results and awarded prizes. But the erection of many flaming oil towers surrounding the homes has so polluted the air that growing conditions are practically impossible, and we reluctantly decided to give up the attempt. The Committee contributed some fine specimens of Ilex crenala to the Christ Church Burial Ground to replace some shabby, worn-out privet bushes adjacent to the grave of Benjamin Franklin. The Daffodil Project, now in its fourth year, has 70 entries for next spring's show, which is a tangible sign of increased interest. A Peony Symposium was held in the rooms in May. Mrs. Arthur Hoyt Scott spoke and exhibited some of her lovely hybrids and a beautiful collection from the Scott Foundation at Swarthmore. Dr. Franklin Styer's provocative talk was full of interest and knowledge. His theory that the change in our climate warrants a new approach to peony growing was an eye opener to many of us. He has transferred 40 acres of herbaceous peonies from Concordville to a site in the Hudson River Valley where there is steadier cold in winter. Holding these symposiums on a specific flower has seemed reward- ing. The year before it was on Clematis. The attendance was not large in either case, but everyone present was there because he or she was inter- ested in that particular subject, and the questions from the floor and the answers of the experts were both constructive and worthwhile. Respectfully submitted, DOROTHY FALCON PLATT, Chairman. (Mrs. Charles Piatt) — 14 — MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Our growing membership list shows the lively interest of all of you in this Society, and is your testimony to the value of membership. During the past year we reached an all-time high in numbers as well as in activity. In April 1954, there were 6007 members. 709 new members were added during the year. We hope that our new members have felt at home in the Society. The sherry party in their honor during the 1953 Christmas Show was one way of welcoming them, but we trust that they have found a friendly spirit in all of the Society's activities. May I again remind you of the satisfaction of life membership — no bills to pay, unlimited admission to the Flower Show and the Chrys- anthemum Show, and the pleasure of having a special relationship to an organization of which you can be proud. Last year three people joined the Society on a life basis, and twenty-six transferred from annual to life basis. The Council is grateful for this evidence of interest in the Society. As out-going chairman, I want to express warm gratitude to an unusually cooperative committee, to five nurserymen who helped us with lists, and to hundreds of our members who, by telling others of their pleasure in the Society, spread interest and enthusiasm. MARY B. REBMANN, Chairman. (Mrs. G. Ruhland Rebmann, Jr.) 15 — D^ a. PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW COMMITTEE Plans for the 1954 Flower Show included changes which made it impossible for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to take the center aisle. We were given more space on a side aisle for our two new classes of adjoining Rooms and Gardens. Mrs. Channing Way and Mrs. H. C. Groome, chairmen of this project, were very successful in achieving a realistic effect as one looked through the Gardens into the Rooms. One class was Traditional and the other Contemporary-Modern. The Garden Clubs showed unusual imagination and originality in mastering the problems involved and created exhibits of great distinction. Miss Eleanor David and Mrs. William A. Randall, Chairmen for Tables and Niches, worked out with the Schedule Committee many inter- esting classes, including Alfresco Breakfast and Supper tables, "Arrange- ment in a Pharmaceutical Container using Plant Material which produces a Medical Derivative", "A Composition Suggesting a Texture", and one to "Simulate a Wood Carving". The Educational Exhibits were ably handled by Mrs. T. Bromley Flood and Mrs. Harry G. Rieger; and Mrs. Van Horn Ely was again chairman of the Judges Committee. Mrs. James C. Horner and Mrs. John W. Wurts were responsible for the success of the Hospitality Committee, and Mrs. H. Martyn Kneed- ler for the attractive furnishing of the Judges' Rooms. The exceptionally fine publicity for the Show was handled by Mrs. Charles Becker, Jr., and her vice-chairman, Mrs. W. Charles Hogg. In the 1955 Show, the Room and Garden Classes will be repeated due to their great popularity last year. One class will feature the "Dining End of a Kitchen", with adjoining "Kitchen Garden", and the other, "An Outdoor Living Room" looking into an "Intimate Garden Featuring Sculpture". MARGARET BROOKS REBMANN, Chairman. (Mrs. Walter Rebmann) — 17 — EXHIBITION COMMITTEE The Annual Chrysanthemum Show, sponsored by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in conjunction with the Arthur Hoyt Scott Horti- cultural Foundation and the Philadelphia Branch of the National Asso- ciation of Gardeners, was held as usual in the Field House at Swarthmore College, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 5, 6, and 7. Over 5,000 people attended during the three days under ideal weather condi- tions. The various phases of the Show itself were quite successful. In Class 46, the special class for amateurs, Mrs. H. Morrel LaRue of Coates- ville, Pa., won the first leg on the David Leslie Poe Memorial Award. Most of the material in this class was excellent, and there were 24 exhib- itors of the original 36 who brought their material to the Show. The group of berried and fruited shrubs and trees exhibited by the Scott Foundation and the Morris Arboretum won the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania's Green Ribbon for the most outstanding exhibit in the Show. The group was excellently arranged by Mr. Charles Becker and Mr. Gordon Tyrrell. The private estates contributed the finest grown pot plants and cut Chrysanthemums that were ever seen at the Show. There were more entries from the amateurs than ever before and the material was very good considering that these exhibitors grow their material outside and were at the mercy of hurricane Hazel only three weeks previous. The various classes of arrangements were filled to capacity and created quite a bit of interest from those attending the Show. There were also several very interesting large exhibits by various nurserymen which helped immeasurably in making the Show a success. My sincere thanks to an excellent committee who worked hard in their respective jobs. Without them the Show would have been im- possible. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. WEBER. Chairman. LIBRARY COMMITTEE The Library Committee feels that this might be a good time to tell you something about the type of book that we provide for your enjoy- ment. There are books for the beginning gardener and the new home- owner, as well as technical data for the advanced gardener and plant specialist. There are periodicals containing the most recent data on all subjects which are bound and can be borrowed. And there are cata- logues of all sorts as well as garden essays for the rocking chair browser. Our old books deserve special mention because we have some very rare items, largely from the collection of Mrs. Horatio Gates Lloyd. Some of these go back to the 16th Century and are interesting to the research worker, the historian, the artist and to the writer. Members may borrow for one month all books except very rare ones and unbound periodicals. Members may have books mailed to them if they pay postage, and this service increases in popularity every year. The Library is used by school children, college students, teachers and a wide variety of artists, including the engravers of postage stamps for the Liberian Government. The number of members using our facilities shows a definite increase from year to year, which is a source of great satisfaction to your Library Committee. None of this would be possible without the hard work of our very competent Librarian, Miss Green, whose ability is reflected in our continuing success. I should also like to thank those kind people who bring us books, old and new; we appreciate so much their interest in the Horticultural Society. Respectfully submitted^ ISABEL D. REATH, Chairman (Mrs. George Reath) LIBRARY ACCESSIONS— 1953-54 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANICAL GARDENS AND ARBORETUMS, 1953 LILAC SURVEY COMMITTEE. Lilacs For America. Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation, 1953. AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL. Directory Of American Horticulture For 1954. 1953. AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY. American Rose Annual. 1954. BAILEY, LIBERTY HYDE. The Garden Of Bellfloivers. Macmillan, 1953. BEAN, W. J. Trees And Shrubs Hardy In The British Isles, 7th ed. Murray, 1951. BEHRENDS, DOROTHY S. Begonia And Shade Plant Show Handbook. Barrow & Welty, 1953. BERRALL, JULIA. Flowers And Table Settings. Studio-Crowell, 1951. BERRALL, JULIA, ed. Flowers In Glass. Studio-Crowell, 1954. BOTTOMLEY, M. E. New Designs Of Small Properties. Macmillan, 1948. BOWERS, CLEMENT G. Winter-Hardy Azaleas And Rhododendrons. Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 1954. — 19 — BOWMAN'S HILL WILDFLOWER PRESERVE COMMITTEE. Bowman's Hill Wild- flower Preserve. 1953. BROWN. J. R. Unusual Plants. Abbey Garden Press, 1954. CHESTON, EMILY R. John Bartram, His Garden And His House, 2nd ed. John Barlram Association, 1953. COWAN, J. MacQUEEN, ed. The Journeys And Plant Introductions Of George For- rest. Oxford, 1952. CROSS, JOHN E. The Book Of The Geranium. Saturn, 1951. DAVIS, BEN ARTHUR. Daylilies And How To Grow Them. Tupper & Love, 1954. DURUZ, WILLIS P. Principles Of Nursery Management. De La Mare, 1953. FAIRCHILD. LEE M. The Complete Book Of The Gladiolus. Farrar, Straus, 1953. FOSTER, MULFORD B., &. Bromeliads, A Cultural Handbook. Bromeliad Society, 1953. FOUR COUNTIES GARDEN CLUB. History, Vol. //. 1953. FOX. HELEN M. The Years In My Herb Garden. Macmillan, 1953. FREAR, D. E. H. Pesticide Handbook. Pennsylvania State College, 1954. GLEASON, HENRY A. The New Britton And Brown Illustrated Flora. New York Botanical Garden, 1952. GREEN, LYDIA M. Perennials In A Bishop's Garden. Dorrance, 1953. GREENE & BLOMQUIST. Flowers Of The South. Univ. of North Carolina Press, 1953. GRIMM. WILLIAM C. The Shrubs Of Pennsylvania. Stackpole, 1952. HAWTHORN & POLLARD. Vegetable And Flower Seed Production. Blakiston, 1954. HOGNER, DOROTHY. Herbs, From The Garden To The Table. Oxford, 1953. HOLLY SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Preliminary Holly Check List. 1953. HOTTES, ALFRED C. Climbers And Ground Covers. De La Mare, 1947. JENNINGS & AVINOFF. Wild Flowers of Western Pennsylvania. Univer. of Pitts- burgh Press, 1953. JOHNSON & FREE. The Concise Encyclopedia Of Favorite Flowers. Doubleday, 1953. LISLE. CLIFTON. The Growing Year. Farrar, Straus, 1953. MATTOON, H. GLEASON. Growing Evergreen Hollies. Horti-Products Co., 1954. McKEE & HARRISON. Half Century Of Iris. Author, 1954. MORRISON, BENJAMIN Y. The Glenn Dale Azaleas. U. S. Dept. of Agric. 1953. ^NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN. The Rose Annual, 1954. NOBLE, MARY. You Can Grow Orchids. Author, 1953. NORTH AMERICAN LILY SOCIETY. Lily Yearbook. 1954. ROCHE, JOHN & MARY. Photographing Your Flowers. Greenberg, 1954. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Da§odil & Tulip Year Books, 1953 & 1954. Lily Year Books, 1953 & 1954. Rhododendron Year Book, 1953. Exhibition Of Manuscripts, & On The Occasion Of The Society's 150th Anni- versary Celebration. 1954. Guide To Wisley Gardens. 1954. Report Of The 13th International Horticultural Congress. 1953. SACKVILLE-WEST, VIRGINIA. In Your Garden Again. Michael Joseph. 1953. SCHULZ, PEGGIE. Amaryllis. Barrows, 1954. SHEPHERD, ROY E. History Of The Rose. Macmillan, 1954. Roses. Rinehart, 1954. .STARKER, CARL. Album Of Arrangements. Chieftain, 1953. STREET, FREDERICK. Hardy Rhododendrons. Van Nostrand, 1954. SYMONS-JEUNE, H. B. Phlox. Van Nostrand, 1953. TAYLOR, NORMAN. Color In The Garden. Van Nostrand, 1953. Fragrance In The Garden. Van Nostrand, 1953. TERRES. JOHN K. Sotigbirds In Your Garden. Crowell, 1953. U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE. Plant Diseases— 1953 Yearbook. WESTCOTT. CYNTHIA. Garden Enemies. Van Nostrand, 1953. The Gardener's Bug Book. American Garden Guild & Doubleday, 1946. WILSON. ADELAIDE. Floiver Arrangement For Churches. Barrows, 1952. WOOD, ANNE W. The Flower Show Guide. Barrows, 1954. — 20 — AZALEA GARDEN COMMITTEE This Committee was formed in January for the purpose of com- pleting and supervising the maintenance of the Society's recently created Azalea Garden in Fairmount Park. The Committee met on January 27, 1954, and decided that one member of the Committee should visit the Garden each month to inspect and report on its condition. Two visits a year, one in May and one in October, should be paid the Garden by the Chairman, several members of the Committee and a representative of the Park. An attempt should be made to obtain a clear understanding with the Park Commission of the extent of maintenance they are prepared to provide. It was also decided at this meeting that an informal opening of the Garden should be arranged for some afternoon in May when the Garden would be in full blossom for the first time. In January a gift of $400.00 was received from Mrs. Arthur Iliff, who presented the money on behalf of the Wildflower Preservation So- ciety. This was added to the Azalea Garden Committee Fund and will be used for the purchase of a group of azaleas in the completion of the Garden during the latter part of the winter. The Bronze Plaque designed to mark the Garden was affixed to an especially selected boulder which had been placed in a prominent spot in the Garden. On May 7th, the Garden was officially opened with representatives of the Horticultural Society, the Park Commission and the City attending. Also in May, the Garden was inspected by members of the Committee with representatives of the Park Commission, and found to be in good order. About six flowering azalea plants had been pilfered during the blooming season, but there was little evidence of cuttings having been taken. The Garden was again inspected by members of the Committee and the Park Commission in October. Because of the storm damage in the Park, it was not possible to have the Garden in good order at that time. It was noted, however, that a number of plants had not survived the summer drought and arrangements were made to replace these with shrubs now in the Park Nursery. It was also decided at this time that the Park Nursery could provide sufficient material to complete the Garden 98% either late this fall or early next spring. It is the earnest hope of this Committee that the Park will be able to devote more attention to the ordinary maintenance of this Garden during the coming summers than was possible this past summer. Nego- tiations are being made with the Park Commission on this subject. Of the original fund raised for the creation of the Azalea Garden, there remains $2,739.00. This money is earmarked for maintenance and completion of the Garden and will be spent for those purposes only. Respectfully submitted, GRAHAME WOOD, JR., Chairman. — 21 — DISPLAYS IN ROOMS COMMITTEE October a year ago, through the courtesy of Mr. Fairman Furness of Upper Bank Nurseries, Media, a magnificent display of trees and shrubs recommended for their brilliant autumn coloring was exhibited. While good foliage was the keynote of the exhibit, fruiting trees and shrubs were included. In November, Tropical House Plants from Albrecht's Greenhouses made an unusual and interesting display. The Christmas Show was well attended with 952 visitors, who took a keen interest in all ten classes. This show was under the chairmanship of Mrs. Richard Prewitt, who had managed to get a number of top-flight exhibitors, making it an outstanding show for Christmas decorations. A pruning exhibit in January, was ably staged by the Ambler School of Horticulture. Many visitors came to learn from this educational display. Different varieties of geraniums were featured in a display by Milton Arndt of Hightstown, New Jersey, in February. Visitors to this display were amazed to see that there could be such wide variation in the shape ^nd coloring of the leaves, and that there were so many types in the geranium family. In April, the Society's Annual Daffodil Show attracted over two thousand visitors at the Central-Penn National Bank's main building at Broad and Walnut Streets. This show, which is considered one of the leading narcissus shows on the Eastern Seaboard, should be a "must" on every member's calendar for next Spring. The past show had 254 exhibits from forty-six exhibitors, several of whom came from out of state. In fact, the best in the show was won by someone who had come from Connecticut to exhibit. In addition there was the very fine exhibit of field grown daffodils from the Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation and the individual specimen exhibit by Charles Mueller of New Hope. Mrs. William Battles was the capable chairman, who staged this so successfully for the second year, assisted by the Gardeners Garden Club and the Four Counties Garden Club. ■ Despite the early season, Mr. J. Howard French, seedsman, put on a lovely display of named tulips in May. There were not quite as many as he had hoped to have, but plenty for the visitors to examine and decide which varieties they preferred. In June, Conard-Pyle sent in over one hundred cut roses for an exhibit. 137 visitors came to see these. All in all we are pleased with the Displays in the Rooms over the past year, and hope that our members have been pleased, too. If any members have ideas for other exhibits, please let us know, as we would like to produce what they want. Respectfully submitted, MARGARETTA D. WOOD. Chairman. (Mrs. Richard D. Wood, Jr.) — 22 — LECTURE COMMITTEE The program of lectures for 1955 will include two Wednesday after- noon lectures in the Rooms of the Society, and two Thursday evening lectures at McCallister's, where an informal dinner will be served. These dinner lectures are an innovation of your new Lecture Committee. There was a feeling that if these meetings were held in a place with ample parking space, good food, and conveniently located for both in-town and out-of-town members, we might improve the attendance. In addition to the regular program, your Lecture Committee is responsible for the entertainment at today's Annual Meeting. Your enjoyment of this program, we predict, will be duplicated for you and many more of your friends at our series of four lectures during January and February, 1955. This report as opposed to the others given, is concerned with the present and future rather than with the past. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES BECKER, JR., Chairman. — 23 —