Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-02-15
TO RIVAL A $50, 900 PINK.

ton Society's annual meeting and eX-
hibition, to be held in Horticultural
Hall, in Philadelphia, on Thursday aud
Friday next, is destined TO attract wide
attention and interest. This will be
the competition between the leading
growers Of the carnation-the flower
that has supplanted the chrysanthe-
NUNS in popular iavor-for the $50 900
prize offered by Banker Thomas w.
Lawson, OF Boston, for pink superior
or even equal to his Mrs. Thomas w.
Lawson carnation, which has chsl-
lenged the sdmiration of the worlds
florists.
Mr.. Lawson's munifcent offer is
made in this form: 'If there is the
equal OF the Lawson carnation, cause
it TO be produced at the American Car
nation Society's meeting in Philadel-
phia, and l will pay its grower $1,000
for single flower (not plant), and, in
addition, if he has 5000 plants, | will
purchase the entire flower, products and
rights, and will pay $4,000 for thel.
Again, if any one will grow carna-
lion finer than the Mrs. Thomas w
lawson any time before February /,
1900. l will pay to him $1,000 as u
prlze"
The $50, 900 pink from Boston (.ll
carnations are called pinks in Bostoo)
will bs on exhibition at Horticultural
Hall, and the public will have chance
10 iudge OF the taSe OF the cultured
Bcsloniaus. Here in Philadelphis we
have variety called the "Melbs, :"
which won the Craig silver cup at the
Horticultural Society's show in 1897 in
open competition with the Mrs.
Thomas w. Lawson" the now famous
$50 0O0 Bostonian. Tiia "Melba" hes
been on view in q Chestnut street win
dow, along with its trophy, during the
pest week, and has been attracting
much attention. The experts consider
its color far more charming than the
Lawson, but the latter is bigger.
In the competition which will thus
reach its climax in Philadelphia much
money and glory is at stake, and the
rivalry is very keen. The Melba is q
beautiful shell pink, of large and per
feet form and very fragrant. It/won a
silver medal at the Chicago convention
last year, besides many certificates at
other shows.
The New Workers pin their faith and
are putting their money on big scar
let raised by Ward, noted Long ISL
and grower. He claims flowers four
| aud one. half inches and often five inches
in diameter, and if this is authentic his
pink will certainly carry the day for
size.
Shellem, of Philadelphia, has new
white which almost beat the Lawson
last fall in Philadelphia, aud many con-
slider this one still in the rage, as it is
now in better form.
Hill, of Richmond, lad, has entered
America" light scarlet, claimed to
| be the largest and most perfect shaped
scar.et carnation produced thus far.
New Jersey will be represented by q
Paterson florist with variety he ha'
uamed "Governor Griegs," the color OF
the "Daybreak" variety, but somewhat
brighter. and with stems IS 10 20 inches
long and beautifully frioged flowers OF
foe form and size The MAUD Adams
is from Trenton and is q good one, as
BELTS the charming little lady it is
named after. The color is that beauti-
full shade of pink peculiar to the Law
SON, ;" known to artists as cerise, deep,
clear color, and the most attractive,
probably, of its class. 1t is bold, hand
some flower, with good calyx a0d
extra long stems.
The Florists Club and the Pennsyl.
van;a Horticultural Society have charge
of all local arrangements in connection
with the exhibition, and the programme
they have, arranged is replete with at
tractive and instructive features.