Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-21
FLORAL PYTHIAN WELCOME
The Public Parks Will Display the Emblems
of the Order.
beautiful and Artistic Effects Which
VIII He Produced by Direction
of Col. John NJ. Wilson.

Probably no one feature Of the program of
entertainment prepared for the Knights Of
Pythias at their coming encampment in
this city will prove more pleasing and at
tractive than that arranged in their honor
by Col. ]. NJ. Wilson, in charge OF public
buildings and grounds. Following the ex-
ample set by his predecessor, Col. Ernest,
at tho time Of the Grand Army encamp-
ment in September. '92, Col. Wilson has
arranged to have the principal public parks
of the city decorated in special honor Of
the visiting knights. His orders in this
respect have been faithfully executed by
his chief assistant, Mr.. George H. Brown
The plan contemplates the planting of
thirteen flower beds In the more promi-
nent reservations SO as to give floral rep
resentation Of the chief insignia of the or
der Of Knights Of Pythias. Two of these
beds are on the north side Of Franklin
Square. four are in the pear-shaped plats
In the south front of Judiciary Square and
the other seven are in the grounds sur
rounding the Washington monument The
last named reservation having been selected
as the camp Of the knights on this occa-
sion, will properly contain the principal
floral decoration.
The largest and most pretentious of these
beds Is located east Of the monument near
the main entrance to that shaft It is six
teen feet in diameter and has been plant
ed so as to constitute an almost exact re-
production Of the principal badge of the
order. 1t u pentagon In shape, and the
main features of the badge are modelled
in earth and stand out -boldly In bas-relief
The figures are all drawn by scale and are
as nearly perfect as Is possible in such a
formation. The design of the badge Is IA
miliar. Its conspicuous features are a trl-
angle supporting shield. bearing the let
tiers IF. c. B." helmet and breas tplate
in one piece, with vizor attachment, over
with an American eagle at the apex of the
triangle. All the armor Is of ancient Nor
man style.
The Plants Used.
The eagle Is formed of four varieties Of
echeviras, succulent plant. commonly
known as Hen and Chickens" the differ
ent shades representing the different parts
Of the eagle. The eyes are red the beak
Is green. Of blush shade. the wings, back,
and tail are in dark flowers and the breast
Is in light coiors. The breastplate, which
is the largest item IN the badge. Is formed
of aurea, or golden, alternantLera, low
growing dwarf plant OF small foliage, and
many varieties. The battle axes are formed
Of light and dark green echevlras. The ar
rangement of the plants brings forth the
golden and lighter silver colors of the real
badge. Flowers are arranged SO as to give
an almost perfect represen tlon of the bolls
In the breastplate and shield. The triangle
which forms the basis OF the badge is COM
posed of alternanthera. The spaces in the
bed outside of the triangle are planted with
lobelias. forming blue field for the whole
The general effect Of the design is golden,
with white red and blue shades, with green
leaves as a softening ensemble.
The other six badges In the Monument
glounds are In one bed, located in a promi-
nent place at the intersection Of the roads
tDR To h.
ponds. The bed Is thirty feet In diameter
and Is planted in tho shape Of a six-pointed
star, the body Of which Is formed of coIeus
a plant or beautiful deep chocolate color.
The Floral Badges. -..
Tho badges are represented in the six
triangular spaces between the points of the
star. One Of these badges is formed In
floral designs Of two crossed quilted pens;
another Of two crossed keys; another Of
two crossed swords; another Of a quill and
a key crossed; another of a large single
sword. and another Of a combined torch and
fssces. All these badges are represented
in echeviras. anonymous. sabithorbia alter
nanthera and lobelias. all low-growing
dwarf plants: capable Of being trimmed and
The two beds In Franklin Park show
floral representations OF the badges distin-
guished by crossed keys and crossed quilts.
The four beds in judiciary Square repre-
sent badges containing similar designs, and
In addition badges distinguished by torch
and fasces, crossed quilts, crossed swords
and key and quill crossed. All these
beds are circular in form and twelve
feet in diameter and all bearing the
symbolic triangle as general basis.
Tho plants used In these beds are
the same as those employed in the beds In
the Monument grounds. Aside from their
appropriateness in the matter of color their
selection Is due mainly to the fact that
they are capable Of being frequently trim
med and dressed without affecting their
vitality. ard that they will be at the height
or their beauty at the time of the encamp-
msnt. These beds were laid out In the
spring, and although they are already com
plete 30 far as artificial means are con-
cerned. they will not burst forth in the
perfection OF their natural beauty until the
knights assemble here in August.
Camp and Grounds.
The Pythian encampment subcommittee
on camp and camp ground was to have held
Its regular weekly meeting at the warder
building this afternoon. but because of
the unavoidable absence Of the chairman.
Mr.. Lawrence Gardner, a postponement
has been made necessary. There is nothing
of pressing Importance to come before this
committee Just at this time as the esti-
mates Of cost for the camp are now In the
hands OF the auditing committee, of which
earnest work of the subcommittee on camp
Will begin when II becomes necessary to
prepare for the sheltering OF the incoming
army. The day on which work on the
camp will be begun has not been settled on,
but It Is thought that two weeks will af-
order for the accommodation Of the SOL
6iers Of the lily.
Real Estate Sales.