The indicator., 1897-12-18
GOVERNMENT GARDENS.
Furnish Free Flowers ALI the Year
Round.
Custom Against which Washing
ton Flower Dealers Are WaEinE
war-BeautifuI Free Floral
Exhibits.

One of the most pleasing features in
official life in Washington is the con-
slant receipt, without cost, of cut How
ers from the government gardens.
These flowers are furnished ut the
white house and in all the executive de-
partments almost every day the year
round, and not only are the desks of
the higher officials made beautiful with
the gifts of nature, but they are passed
around to the residences not only of the
administration, but of congressman,
and even of subordinates. The under
standing everywhere is that as the flow
ers are grown in the botanical gardens
and conservatories. they simply are
saved from going to waste by being cut
and distributed where they will be most
appreciated. This is Il pretty custom,
and has become so general that no one
ever thought of complaining about il.
But the florists of the city find them
selves unable to compete with the gov
ernment's free flower show, and they
have banded together TO protest. They
have asked the president and heads of
departments to prohibit the use of gov
ernm4nt property for private purposes.
They do not care about vase of fresh
flowers being kept on an officials desk,
but they do find fault with the propaga-
ton of flowers in hot houses and in the
parks and gardens by Il special force OF
men to keep the whole of official Wash
ington supplied with bouquets and
table ornaments. They also protest
against the loan of potted plants for
receptions, unless at the departments
where they belong
The superintendent of public build
ings and grounds is at a loss to know
how to meet the issue presented by the
lccal flower dealers. If he lets the flow
ers in the parks and gardens go TO waste
he does not believe that anyone will be
compelled to purchase more flowers
than they now find it necessary TO buy.
The government gardens continue to
make these beautiful natural exhibits,
and it would seem a shame to let them
rot on their stems when they can give so
much pleasure by being judiciously
scattered. Not only do the officials in
the departments and the legislators
have the benefit of the governments
interest in horticulture, burt the hos
pitals as well are supplied from Uncle
Sans nurseries.
AS the government plants of the more
expensive and rare varieties are never
used except at official receptions, and
then only by the president and the
heads of department TO which they be-
lcng. there does not seem TO be any
more of an abuse in the custom than in
the use of carriages and horses by the
same officials at government expense.
The livery stable men could with more
justice protest against the use by the
petty officials OF government turnouts
for social purposes. This objection
would have good foundation. There is
no earthly reason why any official, out
side of the president and the members
of his cabinet, should be supplied with
horses and carriages. As it is now, gov
ernment carriages attend receptions
and theaters in the evening and drive
housekeepers to market in daytime for
the regular supply of meat and vege-
tables. This is an abuse which ought to
be remedied, but the flowers will grow
and fade, whether they are distributed
or not.-N. Y. Times.