Ontario Horticultural Association, Annual Report, 1968

DISTRICT NO.2

MRS. C. A. HERRIOT, Deep River

The societies of District 2 are becoming more aware of good public relations in their communities. More and better coverage of horticultural events and information on gardening is appearing in the local newspapers.

As District 2 is a large one (a round trip of 400 miles for the Director to visit the furthest society) events were planned that would bring societies to realize the importance they play, not just in their own communities, but at the District and Provincial levels. A workshop was held in Ottawa in the spring at which representatives from District societies met in small groups to discuss problems related to administration. Two Advisory Council meetings were held. A workshop in judging flowers was held through the courtesy of the Kemptville Agricultural College.

ALMONTE The Almonte Society's forte is their promotion of junior horticulturists. The secret is a planned program. They had 79 junior gardens in the garden competition. An award night was held in the form of a pot luck supper. Although busy with juniors, Almonte has not neglected a program for adults and public plantings continue to beautify the town.

ARNPRIOR Meetings on a regular basis help the Arnprior Society to sustain member interest. This society really made October "bulb planting month" with plantings in the island at the bridge, library and town hall. They leased property from the C.P.R. and planted tulips and perennials at the station. How lovely for travellers!

BEACH BURG Although a small society, Beachburg does good work with juniors. Public plantings beautify the village. There were thirteen flower beds cared for by members. Their garden competitions also include one for those living within a five-mile radius.

CITY VIEW Excellent junior entries at the June and fall flower shows were displayed by the City View Society. Juniors had five entries at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and received five awards. They held regular monthly meetings. One hundred and eleven entries were received in the spring garden competition; 125 in the summer garden competition and they provided potted plants to the Good Companion Group.

DEEP RIVER The civic improvement committee of this society works with the Town Parks Department. A five-year plan has been completed in four years. The strength of this society lies in its membership canvass and on its junior program. Better publicity of activities and regular meetings would improve adult member interest throughout the year.

EGANVILLE Eganville continues to beautify the town with public plantings and general member interest in gardening. A garden tour in June to members' gardens was a great inspiration.

GLOUCESTER A public planting at the Carleton County Home for the Aged and encouragement of junior gardeners highlighted this society's activities. They won three first prizes and one second prize in four classes entered at the Central Canada Exhibition, Ottawa.

KEMPTVILLE Kemptville's project was flower beds and better care at the library. They held two shows with a good number of entries. Window box and homegrounds competitions could have had more support. The encouragement of junior gardeners continues. Since the judging school, this society reports a marked improvement in arrangements and better quality exhibits.

MANOTICK Manotick Society has issued seeds and held competitions for juniors. They also held spring and fall flower shows.

OTTAWA Ottawa continued planting trees and shrubs OF Canadian origin at the City Hall Centennial Garden. Six hundred tulips were planted at the City Hall and annuals at the Good Companion Club for senior citizens. They continued to plant for those who cannot plant themselves. Their planting program included flower beds at the Children's Aid Reception Center and scented flowers at the C.N.I.B. Home for the Blind. The African Violet and Houseplant Show, held in conjunction with a church tea, was a delight not only to the exhibitors but those who came from the societies in District 2. A workshop in flower arrangement was open to the public. Members enjoyed an outing to Mount Royal Rose Garden and the Montreal Botanical Gardens in July.

PAKENHAM The District Annual Meeting was held in Pakenham at which so many of their members graciously assisted. Flower boxes and urns were planted at the township hall. They also supervised planting of bulbs at the new public school.

PEMBROKE Although the pride and joy of the Pembroke Society is Pansy Patch Park, other areas of beautification are not neglected. Regular monthly meetings are held at which experts in their own field from among the membership are encouraged to participate. Public relations was promoted by catering to a noon luncheon of the Kiwanis Club at Pansy Patch Park. Congratulations go to this society for the formation of a junior society.

PRESCOTT & DISTRICT This society assisted with the beautification of a historical site, the Colonel Jessup Family burial place. They also carried out various other public plantings around the town.

RENFREW In the spring, a drive through Renfrew was made pleasant by the bulbs planted by this society at local schools, Victoria Hospital, Rotary Club and Senior Citizens Home.

STITTSVILLE A weekly column in the newspaper created interest and kept the public aware of the Stittsville Horticultural Society. A meeting and May show held in neighboring Glen Cairn subdivision widened the sphere of interest. As a result, the number of junior gardens doubled. As each member joined this year they received two fuschias. In the fall show there was a special class for these plants.