The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-04
CHOICE BLOOMS FOR EASTER.
Some Beautiful Buds and Blossoms for
Church and Hospital
and TO DECK The BROW OF BEAUTY.
The spotIess Lily, the Modest Violet, and
In. Fragrant Hyacinth Vie with the
Royal LONELINESS ofthe Beautiful
Rose and Blue Forget -Me-Not.

The florists and dollhouse people are
looking forward hopefully to Easter. Inc
trade in cut flowers since the holidays
has no. been large and the coming Oh
Easter Sunday when 10 matter how
little else Is expended everybody .eeis
that they must at least have posy, Is
looked forward TO with anticipation Of
big returns by the growers Of flowers.
Already certain plants have been put
I'm the hothouses 10 force them on for Il
fortnight hence. and others are still kept
I'm the outdoor hot beds that their growth
may bee .mpeded and their perfection
reached on April 18th.
At no time of the year do the cultVa1-
ors or sellers Of plants profit more by
their wares than a. Eastertide. on that
day Of rising both the quick and the
dead are always remembered and the
florists for several days before make hay
even II tho sun does fail 10 shine.
This spring there has been 80 few iedl-
~ bright. glorious sunshiny days that
many Of the Easter flowers will need an
extra amount of coaXing and care 10
bring them out 10 deck some church
chancol or the mound over some dear
dc4d.
The old idea Of only pure white flow
crs I'm the memorium seems TO have died
with the passing away OF set floral en-
blems. For several years gone by even
the horrors Of death and the necessary
sad obseQuies have been lcsesened a lit
Ito by American beauties and pink Mer-
NETS.
Perhaps people have wisely arrived at
the conclusion that they made the GO
Il D
an event ard have sought 10 brighten
il with gay-colOred flowers.
The same is true Of Easter Sunday
for though lilies Of every description deck
altar and chancel. yet mingled among
their immaculate white beauty are gor-
geous roses Of red and yellow hue. while
tulips and hyacinths in all the gay col
ors that are Known TO the growers art
or science are tucked i'm among the puri-
- Of the lilies.
FROM CHURCH TO HOSPITAL
Until a few years ago eVblcms were
as much used In churches on Easter
Sunday as at funerals. Gates ajar.
crosses crowns and columns I'm every
shape were placed in church in memory
Of the dear departed.
Later these floral rcmembrlnccs were
sent 10 the cemetery 10 be- placed upon
the grave of the one I'm whose memory
they were formed. Now. perhaps peo-
pie have learned wisdom for il is sell
dom that the flowers are not used TO
help some suffering living one to bear
pain and perhaps life as well. Now
there are few people who do net give two
directions 20 their florists when the flow
ors are being ordered.
one Is that the memorial be placed in
or that later I'M the day e be removed
TO cheer some sickened soul in one of the
many hospitals Of this great city. And
perhaps i'm IT'S second Offering IL gives
more pleasure to the one who has gone
away than the flowers ever could IT, tho
great church, surrounded by wealth and
beauty.
As Easter morn approaches the prices
Of flowers gently rise. Even with the
long winter days OF January and Febru-
airy the prices of flowers have not been
exorbitaut
This the growers say IS due to the
small call for them. There has never
been time in years the florists insist
when there has been less call for floral
decorations than the last three months.
The people who always buy n few cut
flowers for their rooms do il the same
as ever.
The true lover Of flowers would 20 hun
cry 20 have bunch of violets. "A spray
Of forget-me-nots or a single rose al
ways near them. but. although this class
Of trade is large. the profit on them is
small, for they buy in such small quaint
ties.
But the society folk. the social enter
tanners. upon whom the florists depend
for their living. have done with fewer
floral decorations the past season than
ever before. They have perhaps given
as many teas dinners. and dances. This
they know fun well they must do TO keep
up. but in dining their friends they have
surrounded them with less gorgeousness
i'm the way Of plants and flowers. and
the hard times have been felt more by
the florists than any other class OF trades
men who cater 10 the fashionable ele-
ment.
Now Eastertde is drawing near and
they are rejoicing in the prospect Of a
big sale Of flowers. On that day Of
resurrection every one desires TO remem-
Der some one dead or living. and the
custom is TO do so with a plant or
flower.
Churches and houses alike are deck
cd with gay flowers and mingled among
them are beautiful green plants of many
a variety. And this great demand for
flowers enables the growers and florists
To- put up their prices for their patrons
must have the flowers ard they take adj
vantage Of this fact.
At the greenhouses Of the cultivatOrs
an about Chicago. lilies I'm many varieties
are being forced forward for Easter day.
When the halleuiahs are sung lilies in
great profusion will adOrn the affairs and
chancel. for the purity OF the lily makes
il q fsvorite for that morn of rising"
In the lighthouses near Niles Centre,
Morgan Park. Summerdale Riverside,
and Rosehil there has never been year
when such profusion OF lilies has been
grown as the present one.
The tall. beautiful harrissi lily, with
It's slender stalk covered with pointed
leaves. Is the popular one OF the year.
and the dainty Easter lily. with its small
flower. will be sold IN as large quantities.
orders for the different flowers have
already been placed with the largest
dealers. for the people have learned
by unfortunate experiences that il IS
better 10 be an early bird when seeking
flowers at a season when every one de-
sires 10 have the best.
Tn the lighthouses the lilies that viii
be used for church decorations on Eas-
ter morning have long since been placed
in the forcing-room.
The hyacinths and tulip have not yet
all come In from the hot beds, for the
time Of forcing for those smaller bulb
Gus plants IS not. OF course. so long as
the larger ones. When the growers de-
eide that i IS time 10 take these small