The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-05-28
Our Olio.
horticultural Hall.


scription of it from the Philadelphia, Pa,
Ledger, of Saturday last, will be read with
interest by them
During the past fall and winter prepa
ratious were made on larger scale than
usual for the improvement Of the interior
of horticultural Hall and the surrounding
grounds. A larger number Of plants were
propagated than in former years, and new
designs for their arrangement in the various
beds have been prepared and are now being
carried into effect as fast as possible. The
planting in the plot Of ground east Of the
building, upon which the statue to Relig-
ious Liberty, erected by the Order of B mai
Birth, now stands. will be varied and eff
f,ctive, as it will contain a number of sub
tropical plants, such as arundo, eulalia,
cannas, pampas grass and different varie-
ties of amaranthus and coxcombs. Directly
in front of the statue a crescent shaped
bed has been laid ont which will be filed
with the plants, which, at little distance,
present to the eye the appearance of mosaic
work. On either side of this are circular
beds of golden honeysuckle, which is creep
ing arourd the raised wire-work placed 10
the centre, thus forming a cone, while
around the outer edge win be planted row
Outright hued colcus, to form contrast. In
front Of these, surrounded by geraniums,
are two specimens Of Chilian pines, which
heighten the effect considerably. At the
other end Of the building is hedge Of
pyrus japonicas, which have been in full
bloom for the past week or two, presenting
a mass of scarlet flowers beSutiful to be-
hold But they are now out Of bloom and
are being succeeded BY the azaleas which
are beginning to bloom, the buds expand
ing more aud more each day. This bed
contains over thirty different varieties, and
they viii remain 10 bloom for 4 couple Of
weeks. Within sight Of these arc beds Of
rhododendrous and roses, which viii be the
next plants to bloom, but the air 10 the Vi
eiui,y is now fragrant with the perfume Of
the numberless shrub and lilac bushes.
The ponds in LaudsdovBe ravine have been
hlled with water lilies and the beds in the
sunken garden are nov being prepared for
the plants The shape Of the beds viii be
the same as last year, bu; the order Of
planting will be entirely diifereat
THE MAIN HALL.
The arrangement Of the tropical plants
in the interior Of the bailding has been
changed and the Superintendent Is now Of
the opinion that j, presents a more bcanii-
ful appeannce than ever before. The
statues Of Diana, at one cnd Of The bali,
aud Of Melancholy, =. the other, are al
most hidden from view BY mass Of bright
green foliage Ia the circular bed, in the
centre Of the hall, are some very rare spec
linens Of the East India fan palm, with
leaves which would afford as much pro
lection as an umbrella bamboo trees,
reaching almost to the roof; Australian
palms Mexican srcepers elimbiug up an
old cedar tree, aud throwing out roots
which resemble ropes, and some Of which
are about twenty fee, loag, aud other troP-
zeal foliage, through al Of which the vis.
itor can catch gliHpsc Of the unique
fountain, aud hear the fall Of the water.
In the surrounding beds are banana trees,
Australian and African palms, Brazilian
pines, gum trees, specimens Of the euea-
lyptus or fever trees, date palms, &c There
Is Dot ycstige Of earth visible, the ground
being entirely covered with lycOPOdium,
parrieum, begonias, maiden-hair and other
varieties of ferns.
THE FERNERY,
I The fernery, il is said, nov contains
/ specimens Of ferns such as are not TO be
( found 10 any other part Of this country, and
/ not to be exceIled, if equaIled, in the old
world They have been brought to such
high state Of cultivation and certain spec
linens have increased in height so rapidly
that it was necessary to remove them fron
the platform upon which they formerly
stood and sink them into the earth. Spec
I linens Of almost every known variety Of
/ ferns are iu this room, and the view afford
ed from either end Of the room is one that
is not excelled by that of any other in the
building. These ferns are keptin a moist
condition, being wateFed frequently, aud,
as the filmy foliage of some of the larger
specimens falls 10 graceful curves, the sun s
rays will strike it and make the drops Of
water giisten like diamonds. In one Of
the beds a pond bas been made, in which
a speeimon Of the sacred lotus, or water
lily from the Nile, has been planted, while
around the edges are a number of pitcher
I plants. Surrounding this in all directions
are ferns from the Sandwich Islands, New
Zealand, Australia and other parts of the
world. Upon platform on one side of
the room under glass eases, are specimens
of those curious productions of nature
known as Venus fy trap, and meat eating
plants, while beside them, kept in the same
manner, is beautiful specimen of New
Zealand flmy fern. There are number
of other rare and valuable specimens of
ferns, bearing long scientific names, which
give no clue to their identity, except to
botanists or those who have made study
of them.
THE FORCING HOUSE.
One of the most interesting portions OF
the building at present is the forcing
house, wLcrc there are about 80 900 plants
in readiness for transplanting outside
They consist of specimens of coleus, achy-
ranthus and altemanthera, including about
20 different colors and varieties of coleus
and about four of each of the others There
arc also about 10000 plants of the same