The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-14

spicuous place in the White House con-
servatories, and in close proximity to the
nyriads of ferns that adorned the table
and dining room at the great Dewey din
ner. These We're interspersed with
beautiful profuslOn of orchids that also
claim the islands as their home.
There is something decidedly symbolic
and startling to undergraduates in the
way fora of the Philippines thrives in this
country even when forced to it. The de
wey plants that add so much to the riot
Gus tropical beauty of the Islands, are
there known as the "Acalypha sanderi-
ana" and were dubbed by Philadelphia
florist the dewey plant" The White,
House specimens, of which there are sew
erar, stand not more than p or IA inches
in hight, Wi rich, dark green foliage,
from which pend long, graceful, swaying
tasse's of brilliant rose cclor as soft and
fine as chenille, and not unlike it,
There are many rare varieties of orchids
from the Philippines, where they grow
most luxurianty, as well as snowy tropi-
cal pants of unpronounceabfe names, that
when combined with the gorgeous birds
and flowers Of that country, make it
veritable glimpse of fairyland.
In one of the tropical houses are pine
apples in fruit, and also oranges and lem
ons and other tropical fruits. In some of
the houses when the temperature Will per-
nit 1t, the fish that fill the great basin
in the lower part of the White House
grounds, as we'll as those in the basin of
the treasury are brought in, and add much
to the beauty of the surroundings.
The markings of these goldfish are most
varied and pronounced, especially the va
riety brought from JaTau, in which coun-
try they form lively round in the world
of sport The spotted fellows-no two have
marks alike-are named. The players then
gather around the glass aquarium ard
each selects his fish. Then piece of meat
tied 10 the end of string Is lowered
among the fish. Previous to this the book-
maker plays a lively part and money Is
placed opposite the names of he favor ties.
The fish that gets the morsel of meat is
the winner. Some of the spotted beau les
succumbed TO the mistaken kindness of
the invasion of youngsters during the con-
certs given in the White House grounds
during the summer, and, refusing to -four
ish on the CONNECTIONS given them by the
children, gave up the ghost and turned
food for the other fishes. Formerly they
served as a favorite amusement to the
Doubtless no first lady ever enjoyed Inc
vast conservatories as did Mrs. Hayes.
Others have found little time outside OF
social duties, but she came regularly every
day and tended many of the flowers with
her own hands, 1t was her greatest de-
light 20 see some spindling shoot develop
into a hardy plant, or care for a little
drooping one until 1t exhibited new life.
She liked to take the great shears and cut
a flower here and there for herself. The
euperintendent took so much interest in
her devotion 20 the flowers that every eff
fort was made to force some favorite plant
into blossom to surprise and delight her.
She would keep all day some flowers cut
in the morning hours. Mr.. Phister says
that in the thirty-three years that he has
been in this department no first lady has
shown so great love of flowers as Mrs.
Hayes.
Mrs. Harrison loved the roses best, and
was lavish in sending them to her less
fortunate friends Mrs. Cleveland was
fondest of the stately American Beauties
that are always associated with her, and
took the keenest possible interest in the
orchids that reached their first promi
hence in American plant life during that
administration.
The superintendent showed many fine
varieties of orchids imported from the
present scene of warfare in South Africa.
These two late wars have interfered very
materially with the importations of or
chids, palms and other tropical plants.
There are none of the curious growths
that are half-insect, half-plant that feed
upon bugs and worms. Such are fire.
quently sent 20 the White House, but are
transferred to Mr.. Smith of the Botanic
Gardens. where one finds a most varied
and interesting collection.
The head gardener of the White House
says that many of the huge palms that in
summer adorn the driveway leading to the
Presidents house date back from the time
of Presidents Fillmore and Pierce Many
others of gigantic size were but small af-
fairs when he took them in hand more
than thirty years ago, during Andy John
sons time. They have all had part in
inaugural decorations since that time, and
have outgrown their surroundings.
There is now no place al the White
House where these lofty old palms can find
room. and as they must be kept housed
they are appropriately enough sent in win
ter to the great rotunda of the pension Of
fee. where, intermingled with smaller
palms, they give a glimpse of Arcadia.
Ranged beneath them on the marble floor
are numerous garden seats. Here at the
noon hour the clerks sit and watt the
smoke from cigar and pipe up through
their historic branches.
Unusual preparations are making in the
conservatories now for brilliant floral
display this winter, and when the society
bellies come TO the White House they will
find tho most lavish decoration seen there
since Mrs. Cleveland's wedding.
Gov. elect Mash of Ohio IS wldower
ana the social duties of his administra-
Ia Ilfr frltf