Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-29
ONE THING THAT Is NEEDED AND WOULD
PAY.
[For the SPECTATOR

[For the SPECTATOR.
There is evidently spirit of enterprise
abroad among our people. There is no
small amount of unemp Dyed capital in our
city which is seeking investment Various
Improvements have been the subject of dis
cnssion. Among others, the prOpriety of
erecting an extensive and attractive hotel
has been earnestly spoken of. All the
signs of the times indicate that public
opinion is moving in the proper direction.
Thoughtful men see that new enterprises
must be set on foot to maintain the pros
peri'y and progress of our little mountain
city. 1t is to be hoped that the hotel pro-
Ject will not be allowed to die. We possess
climate of unsurpassed salubrity, espe
| cially in the summer and early autumn,
when people from the malarial regions are
obliged to leave their homes. The expe-
rience of each summer ought to satisfy
every one that if our town was provided
with an inviting hotel, it would be crowded
with guests from abroad. People are get
ting tired of the monotony of watering
places. They Cesire to be near various
| railroads. They want the advantages of
churches, and access to good stor and
| livery stables and other facilities which
can only be had in town of some size.
Let us then, by all means, have spacious,
| well ventilated, cOmmoduus aud attractive
hotel, with tasteful exterior as we'll as
convenient internal arrangements.
| But the matter to which wish to call
special attention is of different character,
| though it may have very close relations to
the proposed hotel.
| The object which had directly in view
in commencing this article, was to call the
attention of our people TO the proprety If
establishing here A LARGE CON SERVA-
TORY WITH LIGHTHOUSES AM 9TH
Err CONVENIENCES for the extensive
cultivation of flowers and shrubs.
1t has often been a matter of surprise to
me that something of the kind has not
long ago been established here. Winches-
ter, with not much more than half our pop
ulation has two Or three in successful Ope-
ration. There is also enc near the Univer-
sity of Virs inia. But Stauntor with pop
uation Gncluding its subsurbs outside of
the city Iimits) of near nine thousand souls
! is dependent on other places fot its supply
of flowers. When its citizens wish to pay
the last tribute Of affection and respect to
deceased friend, or to alleviate the suf-
ferings of one languishing on bed of sick
ness by presenting bouquet, they are
obliged to send abroad for flowers, which
come half withered and deprived of much
of their freshness and fragrance. And SO
it is in regard to weddings and other festive
occasions. Nothing that art can achieve is
so sweet and appropriate on such occasions
as flowers. y
| StauntOn seems to possess peculiar ad
vantages for the establishments of con-
servatory on large scale. The presence
| in our female schools of near four hundred
young ladies, who have natural affinity
| for blossoms and every thing that is fresh
and sweet ana refined. suggests constant
demand for fl VETS. Railroads rddiate
north, south. east, and west, from our little
city, affording convenient and speedy
means of transmitting them in all direc-
tons. to all who may need them. More
over, Staunton is the heart of the richest
and one of the most intelligent and popu-
lous counties of our State. Our admirab BILE
schools are gradually diffusing culture and
refinement and aesthetic tastes among the
femalt of the country. Education naturally
carries with it fondness r flowers. When
the girls return from the schools. they inya-
riabIy desire to surround themselves with
roses, and pansies, lilies, &c., not only as
personal adornments, but as tending to
| throw. new charm and grace around the
| paternal mansion.
The concurrence of all these circumstan-
ces ust ensure a large and lucrative
| patronage to spacious and well-conducted
conservatory.
| But to ensure success, it must not be a
two-penny affair. 1t must be organized ON
basis proportional to the demand. To do
this will require a combination of capital
| with skilled labor and experience. Posi-
| bly, no one person may possess both to an
adequate extent. There is plenty of CAPT.
| tai awaiting investment when the promise
of a fair return is presented. So also there
are doubtless many who possess the neces-
sary skill and experience, who are denied
the opportunity Of displaying them for the
want of the necessary capital to provide
the necessary outfit. Here is case for the
application of the principle of co operation
Let capital associate itself with skilled
labor in the establishment of conserva-
tory and nursery of flowers, and shrubs,
and choice fruits, and unless there be gross
acknowledgements, there can be no doubt of
successful and profitable result.
During the summer and early autumn our
city is crowded with educated and refined
visitors. To these conservatory would be
peculiarly attractive. Other thousands pass
through ON railroad trains, to whom bou-
quets would be peculiarly acceptable.
These two classes would be ready pun ehas-
ers if the opportunity were afforded them.
Any cit zen of Winchester will inform
your readers that Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Steele
Of that city each reared, supported, and
educated families from the profits of their
respective fower-gardens and hot houses
If this could be done in a place of half the
population of Staunton, and when they
had to compete with Baltimore, but three
or four hours distant and accessible by
half dozen trains, can any one doubt that
an establishments of the same kind located
in Staunton. with so many peculiar advan-
tages and small competition, would yield
rich reward to the labor and capital Invest
ed in it? Will not soma of our citizens
make the EXPERIMENT.
REMARKS By DR.. j. L. NJ. CURRY