The herald., 1893-12-25
Director Graham on the Color
Tone of the Buildings.
Picturesque and Artistic Effects Pro
dnced by the Decoration.
The General Color Pian-The Grand
Central Court - A Great Dis
play OF Citrus Fruits
Assured.
Special correspondence to the HERALD.

beginning to bear fruit. All the main
buildings are practically finished, go far
rs the details OF construction are con-
cerned, and now comes the matter Of
decoration. Charles Graham, the we'll.
known artist. better known. perhaps. in
the east than in California on account of
his extensive experience with the
Columbian exposition, has been ap-
pointed as director OF color for the mid
winter exposition, and to him falls the
duty of superntending the decoration OF
the exposition buildings. There has
been made no effort in this connection
to pattern after the Columbian exposi-
tion. The term "Wlite City" will
never be appropriately applied to this
exposition. Mr.. Graham's idea has
been to let delicate tints predominate,
and to 30 distribute and arrange theee
that the peculiar atmospheric effects Of
the California climate shall be utilized
to enhance their harmony and increase
/ their beauty. Warm tones are not par
/ ticularly necessary in the decoration Of
any group OF buildings in this glorious
climate of California, and the darkness
of background afforded by the almost
! black foliage is magnificent setting ior
the delicate tints which are to prevail.
Some excellent effects have already
been partially produced on the main
buildings, although none OF them are
yet to be seen in the fullness Of perfec.
tion. There will be good deal OF gold
in the scheme OF color, although not
enough oil it to give the architectural
group the name of the "Golden City,"
The domea of the administration build
ing will be heavily gilded, and the west
ern sun, striking full upon them, will
undoubtedly play very important part
in the plcturesqueness OF the piano.
rama. Mr.. Graham says that several
oi the buildings of this exposition sur
pass in perfection OF detail and aIchi-
tectural development the buildings of
the Columbian exposition, and that in
the line OF opportunity offered for
picturesque and landscape effects, the
like has never been seen in any exposi-
tion.
The ornamentation OF the grand CEN
trail court is also receiving great deal
OF attention Just now. The electrical
fountain is being installed in one end,
the basin for the allegorical fountain is
in place at the other, aud the sculpture
will soon be ready to be put in position.
The electric tower has reached third
OF its height, and two more weeks will
see it com pleted. Eight or ten inches
OF rich loam has been spread over the
surface OF the grand plaza, and on it
will be Gown the seed OF the flow ers
and foliage which are to make this the
most beautiful spot in all the beautiful
Golden Gate Park. There have already
been transplanted to this grand par
sllelogrRm large number OF bamboo
plants and date palms that have been
artistically- distributed, and have made
favorable impression on the public,
which wrrante the assertion that the
picture to be presented within the line S
Of the court, around which the main
buildings are situated, will be one OF
SURPRISING loveliness. The Venetian
masts, several hundred in number,
which are to stand like line of SOL
diery around this court, are already in
position. These are to bear the flags
of all nations by day, and electric arc
lights at night; and between them the
sun will shine upon long lines of parti-
colored streamerH, while the darkness
Of each succeeding night will be relieved
by long lines of incandescent lights and
fancy lanterns in the development of
the carnival effects which have been
contemplated in this connection.
The work on the confessional build
ings is progressing satisfactorily. The
exposition will be nearer ready on open
ing day than has been the case of any
large exposition in the history of the
world. The management OF the exposi-
tion are 10 be particularly congratulated
on the fact that in the erection of the 20
odd structures within the exposition
grounds. on which there has been an
aggregate expenditure of $1,000,000,
there has, thus far, occurred no labor
trouble, no accidents, and not even an
alarm of fire.
The programme for opening day has
not yet been completed. but the cere-
monies will be OF character to warrant
the unbottling of all the enthusiaem
which San Francisco and the adjoining
cities and towns have been getting up for
this occasion. 1t took the business men
of San Francisco long while to wake
up to the Importance OF this exposition,
but there is no longer any room for
criticism on this score, and it is safe to
say when opening day shall arrive the
city will be more gaily decorated and its
inhabitants will turn out more univer-
| sally than on any other occasion that
has marked the history of California.
A feature OF the exposition which has
now been fully developed is that which
is to include the display OF citrus fruit
from different parts of the state. There
are in the state two citrus fruit associa-
tions-that of Southern California and
that of the northern citrus counties.
| Both these fairs will be held this year
in connection with the midwinter ex-
position, and it will be interesting to
eastern people to know that these grand
displays of oranges and lemons are
made in the months of January and
February. The management OF the
state citrus fair northern district has
just announced it's date to be from Jan
uary 15 to February Is, and that OF
Southern California will be on at the
same time. In addition to these citrus
displays Fresno county has completed
arrangements to erect model OF her
court house to be constructed OF oranges
and raisins, SO that eastern visitors will
see more wonderful displays of the
golden fruit than has ever been made
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