Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
FAMOUS FOR FLOWERS
J. II. SMALL & SONS OF WASHING
TON AND NEW YORK.
Firm Was Established in 1S55-Has
Done Notable Floral Dec
grafton.

The marvellous growth Of the city OF
Washington during the last half century Is
well illustrated in the progress made in the
direction of education, art and culture. In
no other business is this advance SO re-
fiected as in that of the florist who must
keep pace with it.
The firm of ]. H. Small & Sons was estab-
lished in 1855. In its honorable career the
firm has gained and retains the commence
of the best people of this community, and
deservedly enjoys a reputation for ingenui-
ty, taste and skill in floral decoration that
is not surpassed by any similar establish
ment in this country.
From an unpretentious beginning in what
was Georgetown in those days, but West
Washington now, where the business was
conducted by the senior member of the
present firm, has risen that magnificent
building at the southeast corner of 14th and
G streets, and it's fine and elegant stores In
New York city, at 1853 Broadway and the
Waldorf-Astoria
The firm, as at present constituted, en-
braces Mr.. ]. H. Small, the senior member,
under whose active management are con-
Quoted the greenhouses near this city. Mr..
Small was born in Watford, England, and
came to this country in 1S4S. He was one
of the pioneer florists in this city. Advanc-
ing years still find him actively directing
the cultivation and propagation of plants
and flowers.
The Washington store is under the man.
agement of Mr.. J. Henry Small, jr. Mr..
Small was born in this city in 1856. Soon
after associating himself with his father
and brother Albert he developed those
qualifications as an artist in the floral line
which have placed him in the front rank Of
florists
The New York store was established in
1892 at 1853 Broadway, and later, the
growth of the business demanding 1t, an
other store was opened at 10 West S3d
street, In the WaldorfAstoria. 1t is con-
Quoted by the junior member of the firm,
Mr.. G. Albert Small, whose reputation as
floral decorator is no less than that of his
father and brother. 1t is due to his energy
and executive ability that the New York
branch has attained the high reputation
which characterizes the Washington house.
Since it's opening many of the most i'm
portant floral decorations in New York have
been executed by the house there. Among
these are the Columbian ball and all the
floral work connected with the visit of Prin-
cess Eulalie of Spain; the celebrated Brad
ley Martin ball. which is said to have been
the most pretentious and lavish floral deco
ration given up to that time in New York;
the grand Mackey dinner; the decorations
annually for the two historic assembly and
Patriarchs' balls; the annual dinners of the
Bankers Association, the Ohio Society, the
Press Association, the Leather Association,
the chamber Of commerce and many others
of Importance.
During the recent visit of Prince Henry
of Prussia Messrs. Small decorated the hotel
and furnished the floral features of four of
the six dinners given him in New York
The floral decorations for many of the
most notable weddings in the past ten years
have been in charge Of and have been car
ried out satisfactorily by their New York
and Washington houses. All the floral
work required by the New York stock ex-
change has been for years in their charge.
Among the notable decorations of this firm
In Washington may be mentioned the inau-
gural ball of President Cleveland's last
administration, the inaugural ball of Presi-
dent Harrison and the two inaugural balls
of President Mckinley; the fine dinners
given by the Gridiron Club at the Arlington
Hotel in this city, and the decoration of
the assembly balls annually in Washington
The Messrs. Small were awarded the gold
medal at the worlds fair held in Chicago
for their exhibit of a floral model of the
United States Capitol.
For the last ten or twelve years the
Messrs Small have annually exhibited to
the citizens of Washington the finest speci-
mems of ysanthemums, roses and
orchids that have ever been grown.