President's Message - 1960

OHS Yearbook 1960

The President's Message

IT IS MY privilege to serve your Society again as President for the year 1960. In some amateur interests, age is a limiting factor, but in horticulture one may start as a child and continue active to an advanced age: even then interest still remains. I recently learned of a man, age 75, who is beginning to experiment in the grafting of peonies and is obtaining excellent results.

At this time I would direct the attention of members to three phases of our work. First: it would be helpful if parents in the new housing developments encouraged their Young folks to grow annuals in a small area allotted to each child. The Society's shows have classes in which the juniors may exhibit their flowers in competition without membership qualification.

The second matter is that of Membership. Your Directors are concerned with the large membership turn-over which occurs each year. A membership of around 750 is maintained, but each year we miss many friendly faces which have greeted us during preceding years. It is difficult to determine the causes' for this condition. If our pro­grammes do not give the horticultural information which you need, please continue your support and submit your suggestions, which, I assure you, will receive the careful consideration of your Directors. This is your Society-you can make it, or break it.

The final matter is that of entries in our Shows. Each year there are classes without any entries. In some years certain varieties do not thrive and lack of entries at such times is understandable, but last year, to cite an instance, there were surprisingly few entries in the Pot Plant section of the African Violet show. Many members grow excellent house plants and selections from these would add considerably to the attractiveness of the Show. Many of our members grow vegetables that are worthy of, exhibition. The variety of classes in the Autumn show gives opportunity to place these in competition with the products of other growers.

May I extend to all members and, indeed, to the many Ottawa citizens who love to grow things in the garden, an enjoyable and horticulturally successful year" and we hope to see some of your products at our Society's shows.

John M. Robinson

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