The herald., 1896-01-02
THE FRUITS AND FLOWERS
New Years Displays in the Local
Markets and Among Florists
A Pleasing Contrast With the Ice-bound East
BewiIdering Array From Which
to Choose

The first of January has been the subjec
of innumerable "write-ups" ever since the
beginning of time and the holiday ha.
been seized upon by writer's in every CLINE
as theme most suitable to display thei
various wits and VISIONS. In searching
for a new side to this annual infliction, i
came to the mind of a HERALD reporter
yesterday while strolling through the prin
cipal thoroughfares of the city that the
fruit and flower market of Los Angeles al
this time of the year taken in contrast with
those of other places might form a pleas
ing topic for discussion.
To one accustomed to associating New
Years day with snow, ice, sleet and other
disagreeable features common to places
less fortunately located, the sight of the
fruits and flowers displayed for sale upon
the streets is indeed strange and interest
ing one. There are exposed to the public
gaze. as q delectable Offering TO Janus,
every kind of Iru; that grows displayed in
the open air and without any particular at
tempt at ostentation. The golden orange
seems to be the chief feature of the eXhibi-
ton, that is this fruit is seen in the great
est abundance. but although it has been
said by one of the eastern disparagers of
this section that California has but one
There are apples galore, from the creamy
green bell-flower TO rosy love apples, other
wise known as tomatoes. Huge punches
of grapes, purple and white. gladden. the
eye and make the mouth water, one hugs
cluster tipping the scale at five pounds,
which can be verified and is not a native
prevarication. Strawberries, blac kberries
and cranberries are also among the num-
Der, and the ubiquitous banana must not
be forgotten, neither must be omitted the
persimmon nor the pomegranate.
Pears are rather scarce just now, but
still they hold their own bravely, and the
lemon also occupies prominent place.
Guavas and figs are seen in profusiOn and
the little tangarine. although small, are
saucy enough to make their presence
known. Besides these fresh fruits, all
raised on our own soil, there are dates,
pneapples, pressed figs, making a resume
of fifteen different and distinct kinds of
fruits to start the new year with, and it is
hardly necessary to add that what is in
market now may be found all the year
round. In this catalogue the products of
the kitchen garden have not been men,
toned, but any kind of vegetable can be
procured from the homely potato to the
greater delicacies, such as celery, etc.
But fruits and vegetables are not all that
that the City of Angels can point to with
pride as corroborative proof of the ideal
W
and which we do. Imagine the surprise of
one of the juenesse doree of New York,
Boston or Chicago, upon strolling into one
of our flower markets to purchase a New
Years gift for his inamorata in the shape
of an exquisite bouquet.
In the first place he would be startled by
the luxuriance of bloom and the prodigal-
ity of shapes and colors. Roses in every
conceivable size and color, from the ma
jestic Mareschal Neil to the dainty bridal
wreath. Cloth OF Gold. La France, Gold of
Ophir, Saifrona and countless others. One
florist has thirteen different varieties of the
rose alone. Then there are the fragrant,
spicy carnations which used to grow in our
grandmothers' gardens, and which, of re-
cent years, have made Redondo famous,
and the timid violet, dewy and fresh. Like
brilliant daughter of the south, the scar
let poinsetta rears its graceful head, while
rare orchids stand IN the next vase. Pansies,
gilly-tlowers, and the sweet narcissus are
among the group. while trailing smilaX
and maidenhair ferns blend their coral
green with the brighter hues. What an
array to choose from, and with what
pleased surprise the young exquisite pays
his bill when the purchase is made. Truly,
this is Gods country. and ones flower bill
no longer becomes bugbear.
The chief beauty about all this is that
both fruit and flowers have been raised in
the open air, under the blue California
skies, and nourished by the rare California
sunshine, without any particular effort on
the part of man. The rhymes and prose
of snow and ice, are all right, but who
would not rather begin the year right here,
if they could, in Southern California,
among the flOwerso