Evening star., 1901-11-13
Chrysanthemum Show at the Ma
tional Propagating Gardens.
Ten THOUSAND PRETTY BLOOMS
Splendid Plant Named for the
Late President Mckinley.
SOME OF THE VARIETIES

One Of the most unique exhibitions ever
shown In Washington is just being brought
to close by Colonel Theodore A. Bing-
ham, superintendent of public buildings and
grounds in the magnificent display OF val
liable chrysanthemums which for nearly
two weeks has been witnessed at the ma
tonal propagating gardens south Of the
Washington monument. During the time
that the exhibition has been in progress
the largest collection of plants in the coun-
try has been shown. and 1t has attracted
the attention of lovers OF flowers. who
have visited the place In numbers. Ten
thousand blooms still remain and notwith-
standing drafts have been made upon them
by senator's cabinet officers and represent
atives in Congress. the thousands Of flowers
which have been removed are scarcely
missed, so great is the collection remaining.
There are many rare and expensive plants
in the collection several of which are the
product of experiments conducted at the
gardens by the United States government.
The work at the miniature farm Is under
the direction Of G. H. Brown, national
landscape gardener, an expert in all Things
where flowers are concerned. As result
of the attempts which have been made
number of exquisite blooms, large and hav-
ing all the characteristics striven for by
horticulturists, were obtained
The President Mckinley Bloom.
A new bloom, and one of the oldest
flowers obtained, Is the president Mckin-
ley" tall-growing plant with an old gold
and red flower. The effect Of this color1ng
upon the general scheme Of the green
house where the plants are growing Is es-
pecialIy attractive. The species Is COM
paratively a new one, but although II was
obtained before the death OF the late chlei
MAGISTRATE in whose honor it is named, II
was presented to the public for the first
time at the opening Of the present natlonal
flower show.
Popular actresses, beautiful women ana
distinguished men are favored with chrys-
anthenumS bearing their names. Among
the handsomest plants Is the Helen Biooo-
good a hardy plant having cerise bloom
the flower The Mrs. w. B. Chamberlin IS
a chrysanthemum which has been noticed
as much, perhaps, as any othef. ~ ,s aa
incurved Japanese, with large petals anu
light lavender In color. 1t Is nine !ncnes
in diameter The Adele. white ana PINK
bloom, is small, but one Of the most valued
in the immense collection. =,
The appearance OF the greehtouse ~
which the plants are grown is that OF nun
dreds Of blossoms flashing with color anu
warmth. Every plant Is pot-groWn, SOME
thing unusual In the cultivation or chrysan-
themums and is hardy and healthy. every
color Of the rainbow Is represented. and
almost every shade In the solar spectrum
For the past few months every enort OF
this branch of the public buildings . ana 40
grounds department has been exerted to
make the "show' credit to the united
States. and the efforts have met with excel
lent results. Colonel Bingham has gwen
the work his personal supervision, and has
felt as much interest in the plants as an
enthusiastic botaniSt.
He has received numerous compliments
upon the flowers, and since the exhibition
was opened has been in communication
with horticulturists all over the country
inquiring about the numerous species OF
plants which he has here brought together.
The main purpose of the government in
raising chrysanthemums Is for their use
in the decoration Of the public parks.
White House Remembered.
Large quantities of the blooms have gone
to the White House, and huge sheaf, Of
a particular red variety, which is much
ft,nced by President Roosevelt. IS sent
each morning to the Executive Mansion.
The chief necessity for the use Of the plant
Is felt during the social season, when
quantities are required every day. Presi-
dent Roosevelt's favorite bloom Is the
BLACK Hawk" deep crimson bunch of
closely packed petals, long and soft, COM
posing a bloom that is both attractive
and snowy President Roosevelt's taste has
anists many times since his preference be-
came known, as he Is said to have chosen
for admiration one Of the most valuable
plants, in which the skill of the expert
has been eXerted to its utmost
Among the other highly priced chrysan-
themums are the Mrs. Elmer D. Smith
a compact, large yellow bloom, fully
of the best of the orange varieties The
Golden Harvest" is light lemon bloom,
considerably different in color from the
tinged with stripes Of yellow. which it in
other respects resembles. The Gold
Standard is a tall-growing yellow flower,
and makes an excellent showing beside
TT. 11,r >it,ly y
Finest Of the White Variety.
The finest white variety is the Queen"
an immense bloom. In the show it grows
beside the BLACK Hawk" the Presidents
flower, and makes beautiful effect. The
Pride is white and pink chrysanthe-
mum. and next to it in contrast grows the
Mrs. L. D. Black" prize winner. It is
OF the SNOWFALL variety and highly vaiu-
able The Mrs. Perrin Is q delicate pink
blossom and not especially effective. The
Brutus, an orange and red product of
the gardeners skill. is another striking
variety. and shows what an expert can do
along the lines OF his profession. The
large and white. and Is grown by virtue Of
It's use for decorative purposes at the
White House. Another plant, somewhat
similar. and used largely for the same
purpose. Is the &C. H: Chadwick" The
'Iyory" and the Pink Ivory" are described
by their names.
Japanese Product.
Perhaps the most striking plant in the en-
tire collection Is the LOantika, a golden
bronze blossom from Japan. One Of the ex-
pert visitors said yesterday that no such
chrysanthemums were ever seen sin Japan,
the ''chrysanthemum kingdom"s
The chrysanthemums were propagated in
March and April and grown outside until
October 1. when they were potted for
bloom and removed to the greenhouse.
They began to bud in the middle of that
month and will continue to be tn flower
until the end Of November. snt
The carnations being grown at,the gar
dens will be In bloom in the course of
few weeks. and the exhibition of this
plant. raised by the government. 1t is said
by the expert gardeners In charge, will
be the most magnificent ever seen here
Among the valuable plants in the possess
sion of Colonel Bingham Is the "Lawton,"
for which $500 was paid when first pro-
duced
ROYAL PAIR SEEK DIVORCE.
Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse
Long Eafr0nRed.