Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-31
THE FLOWER SHOW.
TODAY WILL END THE MAGNET
CENT DISPLAY.
An Exhibition That No One Should Miss.
Some of the Curious Beautiful Plants
Noticed = A Complete Collection of
Cacti.

The horticultural society closes its ex-
after most gratifying response from the
people of this city and vicinity. Those
who have not already visited the exhi-
bition should not fail to attend. Great
pains have been taken by the society to
make this a horticultural show in the
fullest sense OF the word. Meretricious
attractions have been rigidly excluded,
resulting in a complete sense of rest and
enjoyment while examining the many
beautiful and wonderful plants and
flowers.
The Victoria Regia still continues to
be the center Of attraction, though the
greater number of nymphaes in the
larger tropical pool contests the palm
for interest.
Yesterday afternoon and evening the
attendance largely exceeded that of any
preceding day. Many prominent per-
sons were noticed and hearty wishes ex-
pressed that the society would continue
the work SO auspiciously commenced.
Quite number of people from Pasadena,
Monrovia and vicinity were in attend
ance during the afternoon.
All the cut blooms have been renewed
for Saturday, the closing night, while
the growing plants, having constant at
tention, preserve their original fresh
| ness.
One of the objects of the society in
giving this exhibition is to inspire con-
idence in the minds of the fruit-growers
that the horticultural destinies of this
L., ,v,k ka1 % kI,os~
so far as the dissemination of practical
and scientific knowledge of the subject
is concerned. This seems noble am
bition, Invested as it is of q thought of
gain. These gentlemen claim that their
ambition is to be to Southern California
what the Massachusetts horticultural
society is to that state and the Royal
horticultural society is to England.
They feel so pleased with the patronage
returned for their efforts and the many
kind words OF encouragement given that
they have already decided to hold a
spring exhibition that will even surpass
their present effort. Roses will be the
great floral feature, as well as spring
| Towering bulbs, and all the wild flowers
of Southern California that can be had
at that time. 1t is also determined to
make the preservation of the native f1o-
ra, forest trees and shrubs a popular
! idea. While at this exhibition the choic-
est of citrus fruits will be given the
place OF honor. Arrangements are
now being made with the orange grow
ers to this end, also with professional
and amateur growers of roses and all
other Towering plants. Much pleasure
is anticipated in the contests for SUI
periority in culture, and on such basis
it lis determined the society will take the
field.
Today is children's day, being a school
holiday, and a visit to Hazards pa
vilion will be at least an elementary
lesson in botany for the little ones.
Here can be seen beautiful illustrations
in oils with the correct names attached,
thus lending an added interest to the
floral gems that are soon to spring to
life with the advent of the rains.
Mr.. Labonge's collection of cacti is
certainly one of the most odd and inter
esting features to be noted. This gen.
tleman is an enthusiastic cultivator of
these plants, and for twelve years has
studied their habits and possibilities,
with surprising results. AS an example
there are four species of epiphyllums,
Brazilian forms of epiphytic cacti grow
| Ing On lHe steUub Vi bue common CallIOr-
MIA cactus, opuntia prolifera, while on
cereus the round and futed echinopsis
was perched and seemed perfectly at
home. The reverse of this was noticed
in the case OF plant of pereskia growing
vigorously on the summit of an echinop-
sis. Another plant closely related to the
cacti is the stapelia, bearing lurid flow
ers with black and wicked looking eve,
exhaling a horrible odor resembling
carrion. This latter plant comes from
the dry plains of South Africa. In great
contrast to this are the magnificent
plants of cereus grandifora, G. McDon-
4 aldi and phylocactus latifrons, all of
which give forth the most delicious
fragrance.
Some very creditable plants were no.
ticed in a group near the entrance
placed on exhibition by Mr.. P Compere.
Amongst these fine specimen of Bra
hea Glanca, palm from Northern Mex
leo. Tie leaves of this plant are almost
blue and seem to be covered with
bloom resembling that in plum.
A beautiful plant now in bloom is the
Hymantophyllum Miniatum, from Ma
tai, South Africa. This plant is closely
related to the Agapanthas, so common
in gardens. The former, however, bears
beautiful salmon colored flowers.
A very pretty device for table decora-