The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-04-04

fragrant as a June morning. Through
the courtesy of Colonel Dubois. OF the
White House stan and Officers, This
Times correspondent spent some time
ransacking every nook and Granny OF
this famous home of the palms and
flowers that deck the state apartments
OF the executive mansion during the
gay social season.
When the genial colonel was about
to open the door OF the inner corridor
he cautiously took peep inside before
throwing wide the entrance TO the
private portion of the mansion. Then
he softly closed II and tried hard TO
look very much unconcerned for mo-
ment. The writer tried to do the same.
yet knew perfectly we'll that the two
little ones gowned in white coming
down the stairs with the German girl
were Ruth and Esther and the new
kindergarten teacher en- route to lunch
con In the dining room: and more than
all that. the little hands were waving
handkerchiefs at us through the half
closed door. After an instants pause
seeing the coast was clear. we went
In to meet Mr. Pfister. the head gar
dener. who has had charge OF the presi-
dents Conservatives since the begin
ming OF the Hayes administration.
The very oldest thing growing here Is
huge palm two hundred and fifty
years old. II is a sage palm and was
purchased for the government in 1860
by General Michler. at the Winans sale
In Baltimore. A palm tells its age 20
us by the yellowish rings on the out
side. The rings commence to form.
one each year, at the end of q quarter
or century. and during that period
the trunk is growing. This notable
palm Is never moved from the midst
OF mammoth bed of palms and tropi-
cal plants. and II gives every promise
OF living several centuries more. II You
are lover OF orchids. with their vivid |
and indescribable pinks, green's. yell
lows. puppies. reds and browns, this Is |
the very spot to pause a moment The |
flowers OF this dendrobium specimen |
here number four hundred and eighty
five. and all OF the dainty wax bios
sons. which are pale pink and white.
with deep crimson. are worth
their weight In gold. There are over
three hundred and seventy-five kinds
OF orchids here. and in 1877 the collec-
lion numbered but three standard va
rieties.
long shelf at the end OF the first
is lined with dozen
varieties now in bloom and all of
delicious colorlng Some of the most
bizarre forms are a pure white. with
PETALS as silken and crumpled as crepe
lie chine. and perfume delightful be-
'ond description. Mrs. Harrison used
o enjoy painting these quaintest and
most brilliant of all flowers. and was
specially successful. Her pink or
hids on china were perfectly executed.
hey are the most difficult flowers TO
opy either in oils or water colors.
In one corner Is big bush covered
'lth small purple flowers and pure
'hite howers. growing side by side on
he same stem. II is a native OF India. 9
very rare and rejoices in the unique 9
tile OF Youth and Old Age" When :
he purple flower is old and ready to {
rop of. Ii turns suddenly pure white Z
nd looks prettier than ever for a few X
avs. Next to this is a magnificent q
Decimen of the acacia pubescens, COW 1
red with veil OF yellow lace-like .
ny flowers rich in color and fragrance. d
is valuable as a decorative flower for u
tate dinners. During the eighteen 81
ears this gardener has been here he n
as designed all the decorations for r