At the invitation of its vice president, Mrs. William M. Butler, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club met at her summer home, “Mohu”, on August 12th.

 

A very large attendance was most gratifying, as Edward G. Harring­ton, secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural Scciety, gave a very interesting lecture on the Arnold Arboretum, illustrated with colored lantern slides, of the more interest­ing trees, shrubs and flowers in the arboretum, at the same time giving a comprehensive and illuminating idea of the work and its importance in the horticultural world. As sev­eral members said afterwards, “We had no idea there was such a won­derful place!”

 

A business meeting was held im­mediately after the lecture, and new members were admitted, making a total of 35 now enrolled. A deep interest not only in gardens and growing things has been shown to have been lying latent in the minds of many people, but besides that a widespread and intense feeling for the beauties of the Island as a whole has grown. Already several matters outside the small limits of personal gardens and places have been taken up and progress has been made, promising well for the future. Bill­boards have been removed, and let­ters have been sent on various mis­sions of progress and improvement. The club has been treated most cour­teously by everyone approached on these subjects. It is the aim of the club to become a helpful factor in Island horticultural affairs, and to care for and enhance the natural beauties which are our precious possessions.

 

Mrs. Butler would not allow the members to go until they had seen the garden and beautiful grounds of Mohu and partaken of delectable re­freshments. Everyone felt that it was a memorable occasion and en­joyed every moment. The club gave their gracious hostess a vote of thanks at the end of the meeting. The Garden Club has been particu­larly fortunate in such generous members, for the July meeting was held at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Eustis, at their beautiful Hollyholm. This place is quite wonderful in a different way, and it was a great privilege to see it. The hos­pitality of the owners, both of whom are members of the club, was greatly appreciated.

 

With such natural scenic beau­ties and such wonderful horticulture already here, the Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club should be able to go far and do much in fostering and caring for these things, and in add­ing as time goes on, in every way, to the beauty of forest and roadside, gardens and home surroundings and town betterment. The club is to be affiliated with the Federation of Gar­den Clubs of Massachusetts, and perhaps later on with the Garden Club of America.