Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-05-25
WHITE HOUSE FLOWERS.

Mrs. Harrison is passionately fond of
orchids. She not only has them in
profusion about the rooms of the TX
ecutlve Mansion, but studies, cultivates,
and paints them. The White House
conservatory contains over $50 varie-
ties of the orchid, numbering in all
perhaps 1000 plants. Superintendent
Pfister says, that when he took charge
sixteen years ago, there were only half
a dozen species of this flower on the
grounds OF the Executive Mansion.
Mrs. Harrison's taste In the matter
OF floral decoration for the white
House is somewhat different from that
of her predecessors. She prefers solid
colors on the table. She does not want
the roses mixed, IL they are white,
they are to be all white, and if red they
are to be all red. Whatever flower has
the preference for the day, it's wealth
must be shown in solid pieces, whether
in baskets or bouquets. The limited
capacity of the conservatory prevents
the establishment of an inflexible rule
on this point, but the superintendent
makes it his business to understand the
tastes of the Presidents family, aud
naturally it is his constant study to
please.
Mrs. Clevelands favOrite flower was
the pansy. The ladies have noted with
interest that many of Ruth Cleveland s
first garments were embroidered with
pansies. After President Cleveland's
marriage the pansy became a regular
fixture In the White House, where
its delicate aroma was always dist n
guishable. 1t is still cultivated in pro-
fusion, but by no means so extensively
as in the years from 1885 to 1889.
The old employees of the White
House and the superintendent of the
conservatory recall with interest and
pleasure President Arthur's fondness
for flowers. No occupant of the Execu-
tive Mansion has shown greater
knowledge or more refined taste on the
subject 1t was sometimes amusing to
the attendants and vexatious to the
florists to see the way he would disar-
range their floral decorations. He was
always seeking to harmonize the
colors of the floral designs. He wanted
flowers in every room, and the best
that could be produced. 1t was not
sufficient, however, that they be sup
piled in profusion. There had to be a
showing of good taste in their arrange
ment on the tables and mantels. Presi-
dent Arthur spent n great deal of time
in the conservatory. He delighted in
showing his friends over the place, and
pointing out the rare and beautiful
specimens.
The White House conservatory oc-
cupies about an acre of ground. There
are eight greenhouses devoted to the
growing of plants. The conservatory
io Int
cal and temperate. The system of heat
ing, lighting, aud ventilating is as near
perfect as could be devised. All of the
buildings are under glass. There are
nearly 5000 varieties and about 80, 900
plants. Hundreds of very rare tropI-
cal plants are to be seen, as well a. all
the native or more commonly known
flowers. just at this time the Ester
lily is receiving special attention, aud
the specimens of this plant are both
numerous and beautiful. The rose
reaches its most perfect state in those
grounds. On an average, 100 roses a
day are placed in the White House.
The President gets a basket almost
every morning for his office. Occa-
sionally the supply runs short, and
something else is substituted. A fine
Dhoheb OI roses utCOfdbtS Ine w mite
House dinner table five or six days
every week. Each lady at the table re-
ceives half dozen, and each gentle
man a boutonniere.
The appropriation for the White
House conservatory averages about
s.. 900 yearly. With this sum the sal
aries of three men have to be paid, the
houses kept in repair, and soil and
plants purchased. The conservatory,
like the White House itself. is open to
visitors. All the children in the Dis
trict of Columbia have the privilege of
going once year. Owing to the lin
tied space, persons who wish to inspect
it must receive permission to do so,
and they are accompanied by the super
lntendent or guide. 1t is one of the
attractions of Washington. Students
of botany and Horticulture who come to
the city do not feel that their visit is
complete unless they are able to spend
an hour or two there.