Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-29
CITY AND DISTRICT.
ART AND NATURE.
A Subject Discussed by the Horticul.
tural SOciety-An Essay by Cod. ID. 8.
Curtiss-HOw Art has Assisted Nature
In the Culture OF Eruits and Flowers.

Col. D. s. Curtiss read before the District of
Columbia Horticultural Society, at Mrs. Nor
rell-s art rooms Wednesday, evening. an inter-
esting essay on Works of Art and Nature" In
the main, the essayist said art is only n copyist
Of the original productions. and it can rarely
excel the works of its mother; no specimen of
sculpture can surpass the exquisite grace and
symmetry of the living form; and no painting
can excel the beauty of the human face, or the
rich tints and colors of the flowers. The i'm
proyemcnt of the rO5c-from the natural sweet
briaT and fiye-petaied wild rose uD to the many
petaled mag nIHcent jncqueIninot prairie queen.
and many other5-iS the work OF art in flower
culture. for improvement on the original pro-
duct of nature. So the splendid Bartlett and
Duchess d Angouleme pears are only fruit art
work in Improvement of natures original pear.
which, in the wild state. little knOtty. almost
unpalatable. fruit. DOW it Is the best fruit We
have ia the temperate zone.
But in most cases and things art-wOrk rises in
excellence Oniy IN proportion as it approaches
the beauty, color and grace of natural works;
while in some things art is allowed to improve
upon nature as in the cases above cited of i'm
proved flowers and fruits. 1t often presents
new varieties by new arrangements and combi-
natiOns-by hybridiLing. The hower-artst has
given us more beautiful roses and finer fruits
than any simply natural ones that we have and
also better grains than any natural varieties.
Perhaps 1t Is true to say that while art never
made flower, or fruit, or grain: yet it has
probably made greater improvements by the
cutiyators art. with flowers and fruits than
with any other natural production; notably.
with the rose than with any other flower; and
with the pear. than with any other fruit,
upon their original character and qualities.
The combined industries OF nature and art have
made aud continue to sustain the mighty and
varied scenes or human life. Creating originals
Is the supreme work Of nature. investing all
with vitality. which is the life OF all arts. also;
the industry of art is to copy. transform repre-
sent and preserve natural objects in forms and
images for use. ornament aud speculation of all
imaginable varieties. Another Interesting aud
vital fact should be kept in mind 10y all artists
that Is. the art-~orher to produce his best
should always De in lively sympathy with ma
ture and the great object of all natural opera
lions. which Is usefulness. designs of benefit to
the human race-the highest types of creation.
The line between nature and art may not, in
some instances, be readily distinguished,
closely do they run together. As general rule
we may say whatever is done without the de-
sign OF thoughtful aid of man may be called the
works of nature.
CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS.
Following the essay there was quite an inter-
esting discussion. Mr.. J. G. Judd instanced
the Improvement of the dahlia az a work of art
and nature and said although he was not Old,
he could remember when it had large knot in
u.
Mr.. Saul stated that the demand had been for
double flowers but now single flowers are in
demand. and the dahlia was regarded as too
puffy. The camelia had become too much like
wax, apparently eXceiling nature but it was
not now in demand. The gladiOluS native OF
South Africa. which formerly had but one or
two white blooms. now has almost every shade
and blooms in profllsiOn.
Mr. j. 7. c.. Clark remarked that the first
grape introduced here was the Catawba, by Mr.
dlT nft DOR ,Sat.ly nd rcfo rod tot hn
lection To which many attained and the improve
ment made. Mr.. Clark referred to the improve
nent in flowers. noticing that in his recollection
verbenas had been sold for 81 per plant.
Mr. Saul said that rule plants from China
and Japan will do we'll here. while those from
western Europe did not seem to thrive here but
flourish on the Pacific slope.
Major Driscoll gave his experience in grape
culture. stating that two years ago he had set
out eight varieties of grape among them the
Iona. and his experience was such that he would
advise all who mad yard to cultivate them.
MI Saul said that one of the objects of the
society was to educate the people on the subject
OF horticulture, and he observed that the public
knew little of fruits. He instanced a grower
coming to him for Strawberries and when he
(Mr. Saul spoke OF the flavor, he Remarked: II
don't want favor; what want is looks so that
they will sell" In Philadelphia pear is being
sold at fifty cents piece. which is not tit for
hog to eat. but looks delicious.
THE PROFITS OF GRAPE CULTURE.
Mr.. Clark said as to grape culture that he
could at one cent per pound get more from
grapes on one acre than he could from tobacco
or any other crop.
Mr.. Saul spoke of new rose which had been
purchased in England for f7OO (s3 500. the pur-
chaser STIMULATING that he would not sell cut
ting for two years.
Mr.. Saul in answer to q question said that
mignOnnette to bloom in the winter should be
sOwed about September LIST, but it would do to
SOW now.