Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11
|bL00MSAT THE|RBEST
Comments of Admiration at
Chrysanthemum Shows.
FINER THAN THOSE IN Japan
Visitors Viewing Results of Many
Years of Work.
SKILL IN FLOWER BUILDING
Several Steps in the Delicate Work
Many: New Products in Agri-
cultural Exhibit.
SKILL IN FLOWER BUILDING

During the annual chrysanthemum
shows of the bureau of plant industry of
the Agricultural Department and of the
propagating garden of the War Depart
ment many distinguished visitors have
BEEN entertained at the two greenhouses.
and thousands of Washngtonians and
visitors to the city have taken advantage
Of the opportunity to view the beautiful
autumnal blooms at their best. Comments
Of admiration were made by many callers.
but probably none was received with more
qualification than the statements of globe
trotters, who have been in the far east,
and Of members of the Japanese embassy
in Washington. to the effect that the
blooms shown are even finer than those
grown in Japan. though Nippon is known
as the Land of the Chrysanthemum.
Visitors to the floral exhibitions are
viewing the finished results of years of
work and experimenting Though the
blooms on show. of course. represent only
the actual labors begun a year ago., but a
description of 1.-THE infinite detail incident
to bringing out the perfect flowers and the
new varieties. covers side OF the story
which the public cannot see and can only
surmise. Probably, too, 1t goes far to-
ward explaining the reason of the compH-
ments Flower building" the improve
ment in species and blooms might be
called, but TO the nOrtlculturlStS IL Is ny
bridzng."
Method Of Hybridizing.
In the Agricultural Department tho
work Is done under the personal direc-
ton Of Mr. B. T. Galloway, chief Of the
bureau of plant industry. and the results
accomplished are those on view in the
greenhouses at 14th and streets north
west. In hybridizing. 1t was explained
yesterday flowers of equally high class
are chosen for what is practically mat
ing, and almost without exception the
new hybrid flower produced from two
blooms Of the same general Characters
tics will be perfect in form.
The first step in this delicate work is to
shear of the outer parts Of all petals, SO
that the stigmas will be exposed and
grow to vigorous maturity, and the GEN.
ter. which will produce the terminating
pollen, Is also cut out entirely. AS an
additional precaution the strengthening
flowers, in cases where other flowers are
near, so that pollen might be carried by
insects or by the wind, are encased In
bags Then, when the stigmas are fully
matured. pollen Is taken from the center
of the other flower which Is to be used
in the crossing of species and carefully
busted onto the protected bloom and the
whole left to ripen the seeds which VIII
produce the new cnrySantnemuIu. 4 he
exact graduation In colors to result can
not be determined until the new plants
have bloomed. but thereafter the new
flower can be reproduced by replanting
the tiny shoots which spring up from the
roots Replanting Of the seeds of a new
chrysanthemum would bring forth still
other variations In color and form, for
the species cannot thus be fixed"
The Agricultural Department exhibition
this year contains about two hundred new
chrysanthemums produced by hybridizing.
and in the show they are designated as
Seedlings 1905" Some OF them are OF
such fine form and color that they will be
given recognised positions In the chrysan-
themum world, and named in honor Of as
many persons. This official christening
comes within the province OF Secretary
Wilson Of the Department of Agriculture.
and It win take place a. soon az no re-
turns to the city.
Varieties Of "Pompona"
Ono feature Of the show at 14th and b
streets this year II the exhibition Of about
$50 varieties Of ''pompons." or chrysanthe-
NUNS for outdoor growing. These smaller
flowers have rarely. II ever. been recog-
mixed AZ belonging in q cnrysanthemum
show, but tho innovation has proven such
a success this year that It promises to be-
come q fixture In the displays of the bureau
Of plant industry. Almost all visitors to
the show have expressed their admiration