The morning times., 1896-04-21
A NOBLE GUILD.
Work of the National Plant. Flower
and Fruit Mission,

The National Plant, Flower and Fruit
duild is one of the many noble outgrowths
oi the Aitrulst Interchange, a quarterly
ueVoted 10 the exchange OF ne VS. between
widespread phiianthroplc societies, and to
tne dlffusion OF Information concerning
various forms OF progressive organized work
for the general good.
The aim of the originators of the Fed
Grafton of Flower missions is merely to
reduce to system the collection and fer
warding OF flowers, being convinced that
by union and harmony of all forces they
accomplish vastly more in many ways than
by sporadic individual efforts, aud also be
able to avoid prod gality in some directions
and want in others.
The prime objects of the organization
are to provide way whereby those who
have but few blossoms and no way OF get
ting them to the mission rooms ma share
in this service; to reduce to a minimum the
handling OF the flowers, SO fatal to their
freshness; to facilitate ira ansference to their
llnal destination; TO provide potted pla nts
for tenement houses and charitable in
institutions; to procure jellies and fruit for
hospitals; diet Kitchens and nurses among
thepoor, and toincrease thesupply and re GU
late the dist ribution.
The officers for this work In town or
village should be a president, vice presi
dent secretary aud collectors. In large
cities the secretary receives salary of
$50 month and pledges herself to give
time amounting to at least two hours day.
This is one of the best features Of the
organization giving as 1t does agreeable
employment to many a young woma
needing just this assistance, besides en-
suring the perfect carrying out of the work
as planned.
Experience proved that the duties of
the office could not be adequately per-
formed except by someone in a position
to respond TO any demand upon her time
and attention. Her duties are to keep a
list of all institutions with the days upon
which they are 10 receive flowers, and also
a list OF the contributions from all sources.
She must be ready TO respond at 4 mo-
ments notice If Informed that flowers are
awaiting her al any given point. In large
cities an effort is made to start an organ
| ization with thirty patronesses who pay
! SO year and $50 associates who pay 81
year. This nets sufficient to pay the sal
airy of the secretary and defray the neces
sary expenses OF postage, stationery, etc.
! The number of collectors depends wholly
| upon the degree OF enthusiasm and the
| size of the town. In a small town only one
collector may be necessary. Sonnet times
| the president acts a collector, and the 9TH
! er Officers as her assistants.
Each city should also have an advisory
| board with which branches in adjacent
| villages may communicate concerning the
| point 10 which they shall send their baskets
| in order to prevent overlapping. Presi-
| dents OF the advisory OF cities form part
| of the general advisory board. whose head
| quarters are at the office of the Altruist
| Interchange, No. 20 Fifth avenue, New
| York. All branch organizations follow the
| methods laid down by this board to whom
| they send annual reports OF their pro-
| ceedings.
BY applying 10 this general office, any
| guild will receive large yellow labels
! which cntitle il to the transportation of
! lis flower baskets to and from the near
| est city, free of charge, by any of the
| large express companies, who not only
! transfer the flowers, but return the bas-
! kets.
The duty Of collector is to first secure
the names of twenty-five or more persons
who will agree 10 contribute five punches
| OF five flowers each on certain day of
| every week during the season of outdoor
flowers. or course this need not be taken
literally. One can send as many and as
large bouquets as desired, but this con-
vcys the suggestion that small punches
/, will he gratefully accepted. Wine bas-
| kets, which may usually be had for the
| asking AT any hotel, are the first essen
| tial part OF the equipment.
| If one has Il horse and carriage, it is
| of course great convenience in the matter
| OF collecting. But the enthusiastic col
| lector does not depend upon such
| luXurcs. younger brother or boy friend
may be brought into the service to push
| a wfcel-barrow for her, or baby carriage
| which she can push herself may be brought
| into requisition.