The Washington times., 1901-09-27

sometimes scarlet and again pink. 1t is
one of the most interesting plants in the
| collection. The Holy Ghost another odd
| plant, a species of orchid, the flower of
| which resembles a white dove resting
| upon book, is one of the many interest
| ing plants grown in the hothouses.
| What is probably the most curious plant
| to be seen iE the Government green
houses is the acalypha sanderii, native
Of the Philippines and China, recent
acquisition, which will be used after New
! Year at the public receptions at the tx
| ecutive Mansion, where it will no doubt
create a sensation. The leaves of the
plant are distinctive and beautiful, but
the crogning glory, the feature which viii
| attract the attention of all who see II, IL
| the long crimson panacies wich grow
| in a cluster from the crown of foliage
and droop in brilliant tasscls through the
! leaves. some times below the pot in which
the plant is grown.
Some of these plants are now in bloom
! at the propagating garden greenhouses,
but a large number are being reserved
! for decorative uses at the White House.
| The blooms are cut off each day as they
| appear. in order that they may bloom
profusely after January l.
In one of the greenhouses is the largest
| collection OF crotocS. the plant from
which croton oil is made, in the country.
\ The fame of the collection which is really
a great one, Is better known abroad than
| in Washington. where the average person
does not realize the value and extent of
| the Government collection OF plants at
the national gardens here.
! The superintendent of the propagatins
| gardens, Mr.. Brown, is now ready to plant
| z5,ev pansies in the public parks. The
| work will be begun early next week. The
pansies are hardy, and bloom early
Among them are a number of new varie-
| ties, one particularly, scarlet flower,
| which will not be seen in Washington
until they appear in the flower beds of
| the parks.
More than 5000 ehrysanthemums have
been planted. The work of planting this
! flower will be completed by next week.
They Will I'LL a certain number of beds.
| Following the chrysanthemums pansies
will be planted. They will remain out all
| winter and bloom early in the spring.
Pansies will be followed in planting by
tulips and crocus. More than $1,000 bulbs
are on hand. They will be set out by the
end of October.
The collection of chrysanthemums at
the propagating gardens is one of the
largest and most valuable in the United
States. II comprises more than forty diff
ferent varieties, and aggregates 12.000 sep
arate plants. a number of these are new,
having never before been seen in Wash
ington, while the commoner varieties have
been elimina ted. Each of the forty diff
ferent kinds represents something definite
in chrysanthemum growing. The collec-
ton is a source of much pride to the
superintendent ot the gardens.
Preparations are now being made for a
mammoth chrysanthemum show of the
Government plants, which will be held at
the gardens early in November.
Already the exhibition is assured of Sue
cess. The show will be the largest of
the kind ever given in Washington. and
1t is expected that ii will attract the at
tention of flower lovers in large num-
bers.
Among the plants and flowers which will
be seen in the parks next summer will
be several new varieties of shrubs and
Snowy budding plants, of which the pep
per plant now under glass at the green
houses, will easily be the most attractive.
! The pepper berries. upon the same
growth. are of various colors, white, red,
and purple, and its appearance in the
flower beds of the public parks will be
hailed with delight by all lovers of grow
ing things.
A new lily. having the appearance of the
Easter N.Y. has been obtained recently
by Superintendent Brown, from a cross
between two varieties. 1t will be used
at the White House for Easter decora-
tions.
A new variety of hardy purple aster
will be seen for the first time next sum
mer in the parks, experiments with 1t at
the propagating gardens having proved
highly successful. A number of other
shrubs, evergreens, and tropical palms
will also be used in the decorative scheme
in the public reservations, especially In
the larger parks. next season.