The Washington times., 1901-12-15
CHRISTMAS TREES
FOR THE CAPITAL.
THE TRADE HASA BRIEF SEASON.
Farmers and CoIorcd Huclsstcrs
Chiefly Engaged in It--hnrIcst
Harvest of Greens Gathered in
Nearby Counties of Maryland.


crop of Christmas trees is ripe, and
awaiting the onslaught of the depopu-
lator of the virgin forests. "Woodman
spare that tree" doesn't 90 witt the
country lad and his hatchet. He is al
ready out for evergrcens and holly. and
of course the ever present fir tree, with
out which no Christmas would be sue
cess.
Where do all the Christmas trees
come from?" Ask that question of the
average man. who, every oath OF Decem-
Der starts out with the purchase price
in his pockets to buy one, and he will
| look at you in amazement. why, they
| just grow" the average man will say.
To get at the real solution OF the
problem 1t is necessary to ask the old
uncle or aunty on the street line of the
Centre Market. They can tell you. and
although they also will be likely to say,
"dey jest grows" it is always possible to
get at the exact geographical location of
the Christmas tree country by a little
careful questioning.
That there is a Christmas tree country
is true, and that from which is drawn the
supply of evergreen for the Washington
markets lies so near the Capital that a
short walk into the woods of either Mary
land or Virginia will take one into its
very heart in the course of an afternoons
stroll The thousands Of trees used at
| Christmas time 10 gladden. the hearts of
the Washington juvenile believers in Santa
Claus. come principally from Prince
| George and Charles counties. Maryland,
and Fairfax and Loudoun counties, Vir-
ginia.
How many trees are necessary to sur
round the Capital with a proper spirit of
Christmas is question not easily an
sweled. The figures would run up into
the thousands, for the population Of
Washington is large, so large that there
are approximately 60,OGO families here
Not every family is blessed at Christmas
with Christmas tree. but almost every
one is, and it is safe to say that wherever
the baby is found, not far away on Christ
man morning will be gaily bctecked
clump of green foliage.
Fifteen Cents to Dollar.
The average price of Christmas tree.
in good condition, and not left over from
last season. is so cents.
Some Of the fine. tall, and straight
spruce pines which come from distance,
the aristocrats, as 1t were. of the Christ
mas tree family, fetch higher prices, and
many are the householders who viii
gladly pay from 81 to SO for a fragrant
and healthy tree of this variety.
OF the commoner kinds of trees, those
which arc, however, symmetrical in
shape, and excellently green in color.
many fine specimens can be purchased for
times, will induce the darkey proprietor
Of the lead Of trees to transfer his prop
erty to the front parlor.
Throughout Maryland and Virginia the
crop of trees. carefully selected for the
market, is ready for harvest, and the
sound of the ak will soon be heard. The
time is now near at hand when Christ
mas trees will be in great demand, and
the truck farmer who handles the article
for few days each winter. is not the
kind az man to fail in satisfying the de-
mand when his own place produces often
acres of the proper size and shape.
A Centre Market Scene.
It is not good plan, however, to cut
the trees too soon, so that the first arc
being felled about now, and only a few
loads have already been imported. The
trees are brought into the city much in
the same way that vegetables are carted
during the summer, by wagon. And a
wagon will hold so many trees, big and
little, good, bad, and Indifferent, that it
Is surprising sometimes to see what n
heavy load can be drawn by one or two
horses.
Every good Washingtonian knows
where the Christmas trees are carried
when they reach the city. The triangu-
lar block wherein is the statue of Cen
eral Rawlins. on the Avenue, just in front
OF the big market, is the place which
each year is taken possession Of by the
dealers in evergreens Of all kinds. and
it is to be doubted whether there is, in
the whole country. more picturesque
spot than this one. when masses Of trees
nre stacked high upon the pavcments On
both sides of the Avenue, and OF Louisiana
Avenue as well.
For several days before Christmas
properly begins. and Christmas really
starts a good week before the 25th Of
December, brisk and good -natured trade
is carried on at this particular square he
tween the dealer on the one hand and tde
busy housewife on the other.
Patcr FnmnIins Enters.
AS the great day approaches the father
of the family. who. up to this time. has
scorned to enter into the intense excite
mcnt of the inomentous event. is not too
proud to be seen bargaining for wreaths and
Christmas trees while on the very night
before Christmas he so far forgets him
self as to be proud to bear through the
streets upon his shoulder the ~reen badge
of the courage of his wife's convictions
OF Christmas trees, such as are found
ia Washington, there are, properly speak
ing, three kinds. the fir or the pine, the
hemlock, which belongs TO the same fami-
Iy: the cedar, and the holly. the pretticst
and most characteristic tree which grows
for Christmas purposes. The small pine,
preferably those bearing many cones. are
the commonest species used as Christ
mas trees although the cedar seems to
be regaining much of the great populari-
tv which 1t possessed some years ago.
The spruce pine is the handsomest OF that
family. The holly is used more for strict
iv decorative purpose although many