The Washington times., 1922-10-29
THE Garden Club of America,
which held Il annual meeting

THE Garden Club Of America.
which held II annual meeting
In Washington last week. purpose.
ly avoided including many parties
In its program. The committee.
In charge of arrangements real.
lied that the delegates could
attend luncheons, dinners and tea
parties anywhere and at any time.
Whereas they would not often
have the opportunity Of getting
into close touch with the various
government agencies which have
to do with horticulture.
Consequently the days--yes. and
the evenings too.-were filled with
meetings at which gardens and
garden lore-and garden pests
were discussed by experts. with
visits to the parks and Govern
ment reservations around Wash
ington. which are themselves
garden spots. and to the inspection
Of the beautiful and historic
gardens within easy reach of the
Capital.
However, there were certain oc.
casions which combined social
aspect with undoubted educational
and inspirational value-notably
the clubs visit to Gunston Hall.
where they enjoyed picni,
luncheon as guests OF Mrs. Louis
Hertle, the present chatelaine OF
that historic and beautiful estate.
N this day when fine old houses
like Corcoran House are
going down before the march Of
progress(?), It is a Joy to visit such
an estate as Gunston. which
has been lovingly restored and
which Is kept up in much the
same style that II was when
George Mason, author OF the
famous Virginia Bill Of Rights,
made II his home and visited
back and forth with George Wash.
ington at nearby Mount Vernon.
Both the picturesque gardens
OF Gunston Hall and the quaint
old mansion were thrown open for
the inspection Of the garden club
members and the hostess extended
warm personal welcome to her
quests. She was assisted in re.
"eiving by Lady Geddes. wife Of
he British ambassador; Mrs.
Hughes. wife OF the Secretary Of
State; Mrs. Wallace, wife OF the
Secretary of Agriculture. and Mrs
Samuel Sloan. Of New York. presi.
dent Of the Garden Club Of
america.
The club members had brought
1ox luncheons with them, but in
Il long. glass-inclosed pergola, ap-
preached by an avenue Of century.
old box which towers high above
ones head daintily appointed tabl,
was laid, from which coffee, piping
hot doughnuts and other delicacies
were served. Small tables were
provided for the comfort Of the
guests and for those who preferred
to take their luncheon in true
picnic style. benches were set out
on the terraces overlooking the
river.
The pergola. which is by way of
being an outdoor living room,
crowns the brow Of the hill upon
which Gunston Hall stands and
looks away across the gayly
painted woods Of autumn to the
blue Potomac. The garden lies
below, a sheltered. sunshiny
garden where summer flowers still
bloom and mock the chrysan-
themums and cosmos to which
these October days should by
rights be sacred. This lower ter
race is approached by a double
brick stairway, nellowed brick
doubtless brought from England in
Colonial days. and in the center
Of the garden stands a quaint old
lead fountain, the blue of the
shining sky reflected in the deep
blue Of Its carven stone bowl. It's
really amazing the flowers one
finds now hlonrnina In The hox.