Evening star., 1950-01-22
Farm and Garden
Most of 90 Clubs in Area Actively Support
National Show to Be Held Here in March
By w. n. Younaman
Garden Editor

EGif6F
Orchid Society, National Capital
Dahlia Society, and the Metro
politan African Violet Club, ap-
peal to the specialist.
Aside from cultural information
which, by the way, is exceedingly
important to the newcomer or the
new home owner, garden clubs
offer much in the way of pur-
chasing committees who provide
needed materials and plants at a
substantial saving to the member.
For example, the recent Takoma
horticultural fall rose order totaled
several thousand bushes. They
also bought $4,000 pansy plants
for fall planting and approximate
ly $4,000 Holland bulbs were de-
livered to their members.
The Potomac Rose Society has a
most active purchasing committee
headed by A. c. Barrett, who pro-
vides members with dusts and
sprays. soil fumigants, rose bushes,
pruning knives, fertilizers, etc.
Exchange sales where surplus
stock is offered is a major activity
of many clubs.
Fine Newsletters Issued.
Several regularly issue well
written newsletters that contain
much timely, accurate and con-
Structive garden information. No
doubt, many belong to the clubs
for the newsletter and the pur-
chasing privileges alone and sell
dom attend meeting. The two
services are we'll worth several
times the nominal dues.
Many garden clubs weather
along on dues as low as 81 a year,
few charge So, others more. Most
clubs and garden sections of civic
and woman's clubs render far
more to their members in the way
of services than do the national
organizations whose major con-
tribution is a magazine or year.
book with little or no local en-
phasis.
The flower shows of the clubs
are still another way in which
service is rendered to the COM
munity. While most folks think of
a flower show in terms of ribbons
there are more fundamental
values. The display of kinds and
varieties adapted to the Washing
ton area is Of major Importance.
The building of an incentive to
good culture is far more important
than the ribbons handed out. And.
last but not least the good gar
deners become known and it is
to them that the beginners turn
for help, either through personal
contact or during the question and
answer period at the regularly
scheduled meetings.
Some garden clubs have an un-
limited membership, others are
limited and conf1ne their meet
ings to the homes of members.
Nature of Clubs Influence.
Some OF the. local clubs on the
Maryland side belong to the Mary
land Federation of Garden Clubs.
A few of those on the Virginia side
belong to the Virginia Federation.
And, there may be some who are
members Of the Garden Club of
America Most clubs, however,
confine their activities to local
fields This may or may not be
good. depending upon how often
they wish to take part in regional
or national activities. Individually,
a club does not have very strong
voice when it comes to taking part
in discussion of import restric-
tlons or other problems of nation
wide Importance. But, a loosely
Knit organization, such as that
set up for the National Flower
and Garden Show next March.
can function as effectively as
though all were members of some
central group.
however, there are others who
wish for the day when there will
be central clearing house, library.
lecture bureau and other features
which would make their work
easier, and perhaps more effective.
Garden clubs are invited to send
complete lists of officers to The
Star and to provide notices In
advance of all meetings. Following
is an incomplete listing of clubs
in the area:
Alexsndria G.. c.. Alexandria HorticuI-
Womans club: Ai.HslloWs Guild iHlieAanaria Ameria
E. hsissssSsosSs zSsfss5s AS:"s;"1 AS SagaIB
Botanical Society Of washinetonn'e oneh Bethesda tn
hnunty hssds w. G. 81 Braabnls ssrdsn HsaSa isfsa &
den section of Bureith citizens As Gssoca- saa-
Charles COUNTY &. c. Dsssts Garden h Section ION Ct
Sheverly W. c.. Chevy Chase fD.C5 G. C..
oneSB o cSeS2 GhsSs csss Md no & garden section
81 s1o,sS c9qncil r1nh of Jewish Women, congres-
SASsapSaAc anu SOtOmaC Iris Society,
PPif1cqlt Pdat pi Run 6. C., Dillon Park G. G.,
p.Ei Fairfax G: c.. Fails Church G. c..
Prince Georges County. Forest Hills G, c.,
Fort Belyoir G. c.. Four Rivers G. c.
Nelghborhood G. C. of Gaithersburg- Wash
| garden Club of the Glen, GEORGETOWN
G. G., Gibson Island G. c., Glenwood
| Road G. c.. Great Falls c. c., Hillan-
| dale G. c.. Hunting Creek 6. c.
/ Hyattsville HORTICULTURAL Society, Junior
Army-Navy Guild, Kensington G. c., Ken
wood G; e, Leesburg g. C., Manassas
g. C., Mems Garden Club of MONTGOMERY
County, METROPOLITAN African Violet Club,
Middleburg G. c., Nansemond River G. C.,
/ National Association of Gardeners %. c,
divlsionl, National Capital Dahlia Society,
! National Capital Orchid Society.
Palisades G.. c.. Perennial G. c., Pied
mont g. c., Potomac Rose Society Pro-
| Rockville G. c., Rose G. c., Rosemont
! g. G.. st. Mary's G. c.. Sandy Spring G.
| G.; Silver Spring G. C.. garden section Of
| Silver Spring W. c., Sligo Park Hills q. G.,
Society of Little Gardens of Foxhall VIII
lage. Rose Garden Foundation.
Tskoma Horticultural Club, garden Sec
! 9. C.. Town and Country Club, Trowel
| Club. garden section of Goth Century w. c.,
Warrenton G: c.. Washington @. c., Wes-
ley Heights G. c., Wesley Heights-Spring