Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-18
AN EXHIBITION DRILL
Visiting Florists Given Pleas
ing Entertainment
BY ENGINEER CORPS
WHITE HOUSE AND PUBLIC DE-
PARTMENTs VISITED.
Matters of Importance to Delegates
Considered at the Closing Bust
ness Session.
BY ENGINEER CORPS

Members of the Society of American
Florists crowded the White Lot at 9 o'clock
this morning to observe the exhibition drill
of the U. S. Engineer Corps, with full regt-
mental band, under the command of Col
Edward Burr.
After the drill the members Of the asso-
citation, grouped upon the treasury steps,
were photographed. and then visited the
White House, the agricultural grounds. the
botanical garden, and particularly the trial
beds OF the bureau of plant industry. At
noon a large body assembled to accept the
invitation of the Gardeners Club of Balti-
more to visit that city and make an excur-
sion upon the bay.
The retiring president ]. c. Vaughan,
was presented, while on the excursion, with
magnificent silver service by the ma
tional society as a tribute of affection and
esteem
At the Masonic Temple and National
Rifles Armory every one was early packing
the trade exhibits and clearing the floors.
Large donations of cut flowers were made
to the city hospitals.
Concluding Session.
The last session of the convention was
held last night, when the lecture Of Mr..
oSleSDy dui Oh biou6hN ouA
the largest general audience yet seen in
convention. The meeting was made humor-
Gus by the felicitous speeches of Mr.. J. D.
Carmody, sergeant-at-arms. who made the
presentations to the winners Of the two
bowling contests.
What Is regarded as the most important
work of the convention was the report of
the committee on a national floral exhibit,
recommended to be held in Boston during
the coming winter or early spring. large
part Of the guaranteed fund Of $4,000 was
subscribed before the meeting adjourned.
Incidentally meetings during the afternoon
had been held Of the Florists Hall Asso-
citation of America, the American Rose So
ciety and the American Carnation Society,
respectively.
captains and teams of bowlers was held at
the metropolitan Hotel, and a stag party
was given by ex-Vice President Joseph A.
Freeman to the delegates at 612 18th street.
The military drill at the White Lot was
attended by a thousand or more of the del
egates and their friends. Companies E, +,
G and II from the Washington barracks,
under Maj. Edward Burr formerly assist
ant Engineer Commissioner of the District,
and Lieut.. u. S. Grant, III, conducting the
maneuvers There was battalion parade,
guard mount and battalion drill, which
elected hearty applause from the delegates.
1t was stated that never before has con-
vention been SO honored.
At the conclusion of the drill the battalion,
headed by band, marched from the White
Lot via Pennsylvania avenue to the bar
racks
Provokes Discussion.
While in session yesterday the presidents
address provoked considerable discussion,
particularly that portion of it which pro-
posed the holding of a winter meeting and
national exhibit. 1t was contended that the
exhibit should be European in character,
and the great exhibits of London and
Paris should be taken as models. A special
committee to report upon the feasibility of
such a meeting was appointed consisting
of Mr.. Hill of Indiana, Mr.. Craig OF Penn
sylvania, Alexander Montgomery of Massa-
chusetts and Peter Fisher.
Committees Recommendation.
After a meeting at the Ebbitt House yes
terday afternoon the committee reported
that 1t approved of a national flower show
not for the summer, but for the winter or
spring. The exhibition should be held, the
committee believed, in Boston for 1906 and
Chicago for 1907 and be maintained for
three days. The and carnations so
cieties are pledged to cooperate and a
guarantee fund of $4,000 was advised.
The report met with such approval that
the sum of $500 was subscribed at once.
Mr.. Hugh b. Howard of the Florists Re-
View. Chicago. a delegate to the S. A. F.,
said the adoption of the report is the great
est accomplishment of the twenty first an
nual convention. The great Temple eX-
hibit at London, he says, is not only So
ciety event. but attended as it was last
year by over 100000 people, is an inspira
ton TO the English horticulturiSts such as
no other event can furnish. The exhibition
Is opened ordinarily by the king or queen
and Is always under royal patronage. To
secure for America such an event the CO.
operation of all gardeners, florists and hor
ucultursts is necessary; The prospect
,1Fu 10 NJ ~.
Will be made of national Importance. Bos-
ton was selected because the Massachusetts
horticultural Society has an endowment of
several millions of dollars and can do much
10 make the movement a success.
Lecture by oglesby Paul.
The evening session was devoted to lee
ture by Oglesby Paul, landscape artist, OF
Philadelphia, on The Ideal Country Home
for the Man with Long Head and a Short
Purse Speaking of the development of
suburban homes and their beautificat ton,
he said:
Most people l have found are like sheep
in their home making, following where
others lead. and judging from the evidence
at hand the leaders usually wore binders.
Take the average suburban settlement, for
example, where the properties are an acre
or less In eXtent-and ii is of small places
only that l shall speak. The houses in such
places are usually comfortable and attrac-
i've now. thanks to the skill OF our archi-
tects, and the real estate man may usually
be trusted to see that they have all modern
Improvements of water supply. drainage,
lighting. good roads and the like. of the
necessities we call them of modern life.
Secret Of Success.
Having thought much on the subject.
take the liberty of giving you the picture
in my mind of what such half acre might
be: The plot we will assume is rectangular,
without features Of any sort and nearly
leIel The hailSa I'd the