Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-28
NEW IDEAS TN GaLENEsNES.


The Fourteenth OF February Trisses
That Cost ~ Much ~ Fihsy llossArs.
From the New York star.
The variety and quality Of the valentines cN-
hibited have never before been equaled 4 Star
reporter visited the establishment of a veteran
manufacturer of this style OF goods and TOOK a
view Of the new varieties. THE sairs SO far
this season. said the proprietor far exceed
those OF any previous year" Ono beautiul
specimen was contained In boN-or rather the
box was part of the valentine. The outer Gov
ering was ornamented to represent precious
stones and presented very rich appearance.
On the lid, In the center. was q scroll. hich
the name of the fair recipient could be written
BY the hand Of the lover On raising the lid a
mass of lace drapery was revealed. WITH piece
OF filnged ribbon at each corner. the ccGter
forming an avenue toward a very suggestive
buildings church. This costs only ten dollars.
Other varieties were ornamented with -oid
silver and diamond dust The cheaper ,arietias,
ranging from ten cents to one dollar arc princi-
paily composed OF lace paper. In fact il may be
said that lace paper is the foundation OF valen-
tines. Some of the latter are constructed
that on pulling cord a miniature stage Is
revealed. with lace curtains and ornamental
scenery, while ut the back a sentimental youth
ard maiden are perched upon balcony. gazing
al moon whose nearness would Startlc the
ordinary observer in real life Even Tor so triiing
a sum as five cents a very pretty little memento
may be purchased.
The retail price Of valentines" said the
dealer, runs from one cent to fifty dollars
do you mean to say that the latter sum Is
expended upon one valcntine:" asked the
reporter.
Certainly. here is one and he displayed
magnificent creation in which gold and silver
lace paper. diamond dust. real lace ribbon and
beautiful feathers combined TO make a perfect
beauty. the whole being inelOsed in y rich
frame.
''Such a valentine as that" said the manu-
facturer. generally does the business. TO
thou and do likewise"
The Cost Of Modern Ornamental Gar.
denins.
From the Garden.
Employers, for example. seldom trouble them
selves to inquire where the Thousands of bed
ding and other plants come from that fIl their
parterres aud borders during the summer
months alone: but if their gardens had to be
furnished by contract to their taste and wishes
by some nurseryman, and they found that 1t
would cost perhaps f400 or $500 simply TO Oil
the beds Of an ordinary flower garden they
would see the matter in another aspect.
moderate-siZed garden will absorb twenty
or thirty Thousand plants. common Snd yaltl-
able and We question if any one would con-
tract to supply the same TO the buyers seIec-
ton at less cost than fl0 or f2O Der LOCO
and this does not take into account the Keeping
of the garden, but only the plants and planting
of it.
We know one gentleman who pays London
furnisher ESQ for furnishing his front hall and
glass porch attached to his London mansion for
three months during the season. and for which
only common plants are used. The same gentle
mans gardener supplies all the cut flowers, many
of them valuable orchids, during the same
period, has to be on the alert to supply the
country mansion every other month Of the year.
if necessary. with cut flowers and plants on an
extensive scale. furnish Conservatives and green
houses. and keep them gay, which, If he was
allowed to charge for at the same rate as the
London furnisiler. or any other would represent
sum of money greater than is incurred in keep
ing up kitchen gardens pleasure grounds flower
gardens and houses, together during the whole
year.
The extension of fruit culture under glass has
tended TO increase the cost Of gardening a good
deal. but it has increased the profits ALSO when
the glass is utilized to it's fullest extent; but In
houses for plants. such as orchids. now becom-
ing SO popular and necessary that no lady or
gentleman likes to confess being unacquainted
with them, the case is different. for managed as
they should be. and much attention they need
they increase the expenses very considerably
without showing any substantial return on the
face OF it. save the rare blossoms now and then
produced.