New-York tribune., 1901-02-03
WHITE HOUSE FLOWERS.
A COMPLETE HORTICULTURAL ESTAB-
LISHMENT MAINTAINED FOR
THE PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT.


rnistic eyes upon his calling. lie sees his sales
room crowded 10y the devOtees of fashion and
the products of his greenhouses made TO pay
tribute to the demands of society From Janu-
AIRY Ia. when the season proper begins uhtlI the
opening of Lent when society goes into tempo
rarv retirement the demand for elaborate floral
decorations for teas. receptions, cotillons ana
like functions is constant, and the florist Is kept
busy His prices follow closely those of New
York. and he is for the time being an autocrat
The death of Queen Victoria put an end TO
many social plans here, but Washington has be-
come such an important centre of society that
the season is certain to be notable one.
In floral display the White House naturally
sets the pace in Washington Through the
liberality of Congress the President has mag
niicent resources at his command in this re-
spect. 1t would cost the private individual
small fortune to organize and maintain COM
plete horticultural establishment like the one
connected with the Executive Mansion. There
is not another in this region approaching it in
size or detail which is not operated for CONNER
cial purposes Most Of the time from twelve to
fifteen men employed to care for it.
The average visitor to the White House gets
Only imperfect idea Of this delightful adjunct
10 The Mansion. The large conservatory open
ing from the main corridor is free TO visitors
the occasion Of "A state dinner or reception.
and frequently people from out of town manage
t. its beauties. There several COM
modious greenhouses not connected with the
conservatory to which access is had only by
means IF permit issued by the custodian OF
the White House grounds
The tour Of these greenhouses is wonderfully
interesting. particularly at this season Of the
year. The superintendent is Henry Ihster. and
he has occupied his present place nearly twenty
FIVE years. in which time he has seen several
Administrations come and go and had good
opportunity To study the tastes OF Presidents
and the members Of their families in the direc-
ton of horticulture. Mr. Phster is close stu
dent. ana keeps thoroughly abreast Of horti-
cultural progress. Il have To study he said TO
the writer. in order to keep up with the times.
Their is constant advance in horticultural
science. and Close observation is necessary To-
enable me To maintain my department on par
with the best foreign establishments OF the
kind
Franklin Pierce was the first President who
Seems 10 have taken interest In flowers
During his occupancy Of the White House "A
greenhouse was built in the grounds between
the Mansion and the Treasury building. The
plan of this structure is not now in existence
but from the proportions of the central part.
which Was removed years ago To different site
and is still in use. Mr.. Pnster thinks the house
was about seventy-hve feet long. In Buch-
anans term the present conservatory WAS
planned. This building adjons the White House
the west. and is substantially built Of brick
and iron. II was completed in Lincoln's Ad-
ministration. Since that time the greenhouses
have been added 10y one
The conservatory is one of the handsomest
and most complete in the country. II is filed
with rare foliage ana towering plants. and
makes a delightful annex the White House
on social occasions. An asphaltcd walk scpa-
rates the western wall Of the conservatory from
the greenhouses. which include "A grapery. a
camclia hous- two rose houses two orchid
houses. one propagatinG house and "A house for
bedding plants. There wonderful
Specimens of red and white camelias in the
Whit" House collection. Some Of the plants are
yeritable trees and among the oldest in the
country
The orchid house presents a charming in
terror. Some magnificent specimens are in full
bloom. In the greenhouses there are spaces
allotted To miscellaneous plants. and hyacinths.
narcissus. helotrope. the flaming poinsettia.
geraniums and other flowers may be seen in
full bloom.
The greenhouses furnish the plants and cut
flowers which go To make the White House
floral decorations famous the world over. To !
those who have never attended White House !
function description of the decorations en- |
plOyed II a recent dinner given to the DipIo- !
u0afic C.rt,s will he in