IN APPRECIATION OF RAY T. MILLER
By M. Walter Pesman
You could always depend on Ray Miller! We hear a great deal these days of “featherbedding”, and we have seen some of it ourselves. I could only wish that those who are suspicious,—and the guilty ones as well, could have known Ray in his work, and in his attitude. He would always do his job well and conscientiously. Many of his horticultural accomplishments bear witness to his thorough way of doing things.
I first knew him as superintendent of Berkeley Park, at that time one of the outlying parks. He carried out many of the improvements planned by the newly appointed Parks landscape architect, S. R. DeBoer. Both worked together for at least thirty years on the Denver Park System. Ray became superintendent of City Park, later he was in charge of the western division of all city parks. Whatever job was given him to do, everybody knew it was going to be done promptly and properly, and with full knowledge of our unusual conditions of Rocky Mountain horticulture.
He became an expert on transplanting and on collecting native plant material. He’d always do just a little more than might be reasonably expected of him.
Born in Springfield, Kansas, he moved to Denver in 1905 at the age of twenty-six. His was a happy family. The two sons soon made a place for themselves, even if they did not remain with horticulture. His wife was active in many civic affairs.
When the Roadside Development program was initiated in Colorado, both Mr. Vail, the Highway engineer, and I, as landscape engineer, wanted Ray to take an active part as foreman and supervisor on the new jobs; a man was needed here who was familiar with nursery stock, including native plants, who could read blueprints with full understanding of what was planned, and who could deal with the public in many ways. Highway engineers are not always familiar with plants and their requirements. People adjoining roadside projects could not always see why they should cooperate in giving easements. Nursery contractors needed to be shown that the State Highways wanted to be fair and live up to specifications.
The new landscape supervisor soon showed that he could make friends with all, and gain their respect and understanding.
At times he had to carry out certain plans and specifications with his own crew. I remember one particular job in which he superintended the collecting, balling and burlapping of over a hundred rather large ponderosa pines in the midst of winter. They were planted just north of the Blakeland underpass: only one or two failed to survive the difficult ordeal. To this day they bear witness to his skill and know-how.
After the roadside program was discontinued, due to the war, Mr. Miller was wanted at various jobs where his skills, horticultural knowledge, and his enormous capacity for work were needed.
Not until recently was he willing to concede that a man approaching eighty ought not to attempt the physical labors of a younger man. Even then, he went on an arduous fishing trip after being an octogenarian!
To many of us, interested in horticulture, Ray Miller represents a symbol. If only we could train a hundred men in his attitude and pass on to them his knowledge of practical plant methods, we’d feel safer about the future of horticulture in the Rocky Mountain region. He has made a place in Denver and Colorado for himself, that will survive, and that will serve as an inspiration for all of us who strive for the best in horticulture.
COLORADO GARDEN SHOW
APRIL 1-10-14
DENVER COLISEUM
Preliminary plans and drawings for the Spring Garden Show have been accepted by the Show committee. From the preview of these plans it is easy to see that the residents of this area are in for a garden extravaganza second to none. The committee has accomplished the basic ground work for this spectacular show and is now ready to proceed with the additional planning and staging necessary to make it a reality in April.
Mrs. Nickels and Mrs. Honnen discuss plans on how the Garden Show will be arranged in the scale model of the Denver Coliseum.
The entire show will be planned and staged in the scale model so that everything will be in readiness for the actual show in April.
Featuring today’s outdoor living, this show promises to be a great boon to gardening in the Rocky Mountains. Its success depends on the enthusiasm and cooperation of all the various gardening groups in the area. Your Association, confident of its success and recognizing its great educational value, is co-sponsoring this show with the Botanic Gardens. We urge you, as a member, to give it your enthusiastic approval and to pass the word on to your friends.
FERTOSAN
compost accelerator
This bacteria concentrate will rot down leaves, garden waste, straw, etc., into valuable compost quickly. Free instructions.
1-ton unit $1; 4-ton unit $3
From Western Seed Co., and all good seedsmen.
“Fertosan,” West Jordan, Utah
JOHN VAN WYK
LANDSCAPING
Lawn and Garden Maintenance
SK 6-0789 2101 So. Adams
Seasonal Suggestions
This is the month of Evergreens. Their color and place in the landscape bridge the winter gap between summer and spring. At this season they are not only the dominant feature in the garden, but in the home as well, when they stand bedecked with tinsel and lights at Christmas. This is their shining hour. Theirs is the symbol of Christmas.
It is also a time for gardeners to relax, that is if you haven’t forgotten to hill up your roses or haven’t had time to plant your spring flowering bulbs. Of course, Christmas preparations will take up some of the slack time, but a good gardener should find some time for reading, now and in the wintery months ahead. This is a gentle reminder that, as a member of the Association, you have lending privileges at the Helen Fowler Library at 909 York Street. This excellent library contains a great many books on all phases of gardening, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whether you are interested in roses or iris, bugs or plant diseases, landscaping or rock gardens, you will find an appropriate book in our library.
To make your Christmas shopping easier, here are a few suggestions for your gardening friends. “The Green Thumb,” itself, makes an excellent gift for the new home owner or novice gardener. Just use the gift blank on [page 350] in this magazine. Good books on gardening, such as George Kelly’s “Good Gardens in the Sunshine States”, are welcome gifts. Your local garden shop is well stocked with tools and gimmicks that will make a hit with the weekend gardener. For the hard-to-please you will find gift certificates available at most of the nurseries and garden centers.
House plants become more noticeable and attractive now that outdoor plants have faded from the limelight. Like the plants in our gardens, they need some attention if they are to perform well. The addition, about once a month, of a soluble fertilizer to their water will take care of their mineral requirements. Check them occasionally for aphids and mealy bugs. If only a few are present, they can be removed with a cotton swab and alcohol. However if there is a heavy infestation, take them outside on a warm day (60-70°) and spray with malathion. Frequent syringing or spraying of the foliage is beneficial to most house plants. Take care not to overwater plants in ceramic or plastic containers without drainage. Small quantities of charcoal in the bottom of such containers helps keep the soil sweet.
While many of our birds have gone south for the winter, we find that many have taken up winter quarters here. When the weather is good, they seem to forage pretty well for themselves, but when snow covers the ground they are often hard pressed for food. Set up a bird feeding station in your yard and enjoy the antics of the different feathered personalities who come to take advantage of your winter hospitality. Some of the foods recommended for such a feeding station are: suet and fatty trimmings from meat; seeds of sunflower, pumpkin, millet, rye, barley, wheat, and numerous weed seeds. Most of the garden shops now carry mixed seeds for wild birds. In addition bread crumbs, popcorn, and nuts are welcome tidbits for the birds. Once you start a feeding station keep it filled. Birds learn to rely on finding food there and will suffer when you neglect it.
One word in regard to the weather, if it should stay dry for any long period of time, 3 to 4 weeks, get out the hose and give everything, particularly the evergreens, a good soaking.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year—
—Pat.
Can you think of a better gift for a new gardener or old than George Kelly’s book, HOW TO HAVE GOOD GARDENS IN THE SUNSHINE STATES? It will be used and appreciated for many years.
Available at Botanic Gardens House, at book stores, or from the author at the COTTONWOOD GARDEN SHOP, 4849 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.
GEORGE and SUE
Cottonwood Garden Shop 4849 South Santa Fe Drive
PYramid 4-0430