Evening star., 1905-08-16

IeO " SuaHeT,
Vice Chairman Reception Committee.
in the public mind, held responsible. 1t
follows, therefore, that we must take
hold and have it properly exploited or de-
ferred until such time aS it can be credit
ably carried out. Otherwise, future ex-
hibitions in the same locality, undertaken
by our craft and with our best efforts
will be discredited by the public because
OF the fake shows which we have without
protest allowed to be undertaken.
Practical Education.
This subject has been referred to a num-
ber of times in the history of our society.
and 1 can only repeat the conclusion that
our work should be done through some of
the universities already established. The
states of New York, Massachusetts, Michi-
gan. Missouri, Indiana Illinois, and prob
ably others. contain universities which af-
ford fairly good opportunities for horticul
tural education.
If the treasury of this society contained a
somewhat larger permanent fund, or If
some of its well-to-do members would COM
bine and contribute to such fund, the So
ctety might well endoW chair of practical
Horticulture in some of the already estab-
lished colleges or universities, or it might
provide for practical lectures to be given at
certain times during the year at one or all
of the above named universities.
would suggest that should you at this
slider the subject of promoting the adop-
tion OF text book on plant life In our pri-
mary schools. that this last question can
we'll be left with the same committee.
The high protective tariff on glass, flow
erfng bulbs and plants has frequently been
complained of by many of our members
but without effect. and many OF those who
have labored hard for relief In former
years have finally abandoned the case as
hopeless. l am glad to see at this time that
help seems to be at hand. The continued
enforcement of a high and arbitrary tariff,
which in many cases causes annoying and
veXatious details for both seller and buyer,
together with fines and arbitrarily in
creased valuations. have borne their natural
fruit and various foreign countries are
meeting US more than half way with high
tariff rates for merchandise which we have
been selling literally abroad. Further,
they are placing duties as high as T5 per
cent against goods received from countries
whose known protective tariff is excessive
and are making the duties low as Is per
cent when the tariff of such countries is
moderate.
Postal Reform.
For our members who print catalogues
and mall their wares, and their number and
percentage is increasing. this Is perhaps the
most important national matter affecting
U.s. 1t seems reasonable that the third and
fourth class matter should be combined on
a basis of l cent for two ounces. We should
have bulk rate per pound for catalogues
without the per ounce weight limit which
now compels us to trim each catalogue to
an exact fraction with no gain to the gov
ernment.
Lastly. we should have a trial of the par
GELS post. Many of those who have given
the subject much study and who know Its
workings are firm believers in it. and 1t GER
tainly seems well worth while to give II a
trial. Each member could write his con-
gressmen concerning these reforms. and
could induce others to write also. We ought
to encourage our legislative committee by
pledging ourselves at this meeting to give
such support. The seedsmen and nursery
men. the agricultural implement association
and other strong national associations are
with us. This is the time to act.
Special Committee.
A special committee Of three was ap-
pointed to consider and report on the sug-
gestions of Presidents Vaughan's speech.
At the Thursday morning session the COM
mittee will report and the topics be open
for general discussion.
The reports of officers and committees
followed with special attention to the sec
retary's and treasurer's. A committee was
appointed to digest and report on the COM
munications from the state vice presidents.
AS the meeting had been delayed by the
late arrival of the Chicago delegation the
motion to adjourn was put and carried.
the reading of communications being de
layed until this morning.
At o'clock six special cars took the del
egates and their friends from Carroll In
stitute Hall to the home of Mr.. Charles
Loeffier. where the Washington Florists
Club entertained the s. A. F. by an open
air reception.
Entertainment by the Washington Flor
lists Club reached the point of art In the
management of the open-air reception ten
dered to President Vaughan last night
1t has been said by many members of the
national society that Washington thirteen
years ago surpassed itself in the cordially
of its greeting. but this twenty-first annual
meeting, in their opinion, has eclipsed all
others. The visitors say they are greatly
pleased by the supreme effort of the WASH
ington club as shown in the lawn fete of
last night. The club of Washington for
lists have been at work for some weeks on
a special innovation of the presidents re-
ception, and having secured an appropriate
lawn the old formal reception was given up
Had Good Weather.
Capital weather prevailed at the fete and
the scene was indeed fairylike A complete
transformation of the Loeffler lawn was ef-
fected by the w. f. c. O. Thousands of
electric lights and japanese lanterns lit up
the grounds which had been planted with
large trees and magnificent flowers. Music
was rendered by Pistorios band during the
evening under a pavilion of gladioli and
ferns. An immense triumphal arch opened
upon the lawn. In the rear an old-fash-
ioEed barbecue was carried out with con-
summate skill. 1,200-pound bullock was
roasting on an immense iron spit under the
careful roasting of the great bullock lasted
from o'clock until $50. when the host of
visitors crowding around the long counters
were reGale6with tender food not to be