Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-15
FLORISTS AT BANQUET
DELEGATES TO CONVENTION
GUESTS OF LOCAL CLUB.
Amid Decorations Of Unusual Beauty
Visitors and Hosts Dine and
Hear Speeches.

families, gathered around the banquet
board at the Arlington Hotel last evening.
About 200 sat at the long tables. and
after a repast Of food enjoyed q feast Of
wit and wisdom.
The banquet was held between walls
richly bedecked with natures products
utilized as only the gardener and the florist
can. for gratifying the sense Of beauty and
of good taste. Smilax was used profusely
in the decorations; in trailing vines It
chung to a background Of American flags.
Roses and carnations were used in large
numbers, and along each table trailed
strings Of roses. Small vari-colored cleo
trio lights were used in profusion to add to
the brilliancy Of the dining room and Its
decorations.
Peter Bissett, president of the Florists
Club. presided at the start, but soon called
upon John r. Freeman. who acted as
POSTMASTER. Addresses were made by
Simon Wolf. Commissioner Macfarland
Robert Simpson. president Of the Ameri-
can Rose Society; George II. Brown, super
intendent of the propagating gardens; Dr.
B. T. Galloway of the Department of Agri-
culture. Patrick O'Mara Of New York,
William R. Smith, superintendent OF the
president-elect Of the Society Of American
Florists; William F. GUIDE and Robert
Craig.
Toast to the President.
"Our Country" was the topic to which
Mr.. Walt responded, and before beginning
he proposed a toast to the President Of the
United States.
Our country cannot be too often toasted.
1t is a glorious thing to have love for the
country not only on the part Of those born
here, but also of those who come here from
these tables we have the oest representa-
tives Of the nation The Scotch, the Irish.
the English and persons Of other countries
are represented here, side, by side with
those born here. AL are Americans, blend
ed together for the common veal.
ut is a glorious privilege to have coun-
try where every man of every nation has
a home, and where he can worship In the
religion which his reason dictates. This
country stands as sponsor to the world for
all which the highest civilization stands for.
Since the Spanish war this country has
made great progress. We ask no favors Of
any nation; but every nation asks us to
step into the breach to help humanity.
Let us continue in this onward tread,
never afraid of any nation. but always con-
ciliatory, just, equitable. ready to give-in
to every nation with whom we deal. Thus.
the country will rise greater and greater
in the passing years. May it continue to
progress until time Is no more God keep
the republic Of the United States"
Not Merely Trade Organization.
President Simpson of the American Rose
Society, who was the next speaker, declared
that the society Of which he Is the head
is not merely q trade organization, but Is
broader, larger, better.
Much money is given to educate our
people," he said. 1--WE read a few days ago
that 10000, 600 had been given to the
cause of education. The American Rose
Society is an educator, it aims to make peo-
pie appreciate roses We want roses to
grow In every dooryard."
John Brady, the man who discovered the
American Beauty. was next introduced. He
simply bowed in acknowledgment:
"Washington, the City Beautiful was the
toast to which Commissioner Macfariand
responded He declared that the American
Rose Society may well be called the League
of Beauty, and expressed the wish that all
the people of the city could see the exhi-
is regarded as the most beautiful city of
the country, If not Of the whole world. and
it is going to be- 1t Is desired to have not
simply beautiful buildings, beautiful ave-
and yards, he declared; and for that we
must look to the generation to follow.
In closing Commissioner Macfarland
pointed out that the people outside pay half
| the expenses of the District, and he wishes
he said. that they would feel a half interest
| in the capital.
I'VE appeal to you as citizens Of the
states and owners of the capital" the
L
ators and representatives to interest them
| selves in bills providing for the embellish-
ment Of your national capital"
Parks, Past and Present.
| In speaking Of Washington parks. pas,
and present, Mr.. Brown told Of the progress
| made here during the fifty years he has
been connected with them. In 1851, he
stated, the President employed A. j. Down
| ing to formulate plan for park system
| for the capital Mr.. Downing was drowned
| the following year. and not much was done
| until 1867, whee the work was turned over
| to the engineering department. At present
| there are $500 acres In parks and public
grounds in the District. and about half OF
that is partially improved The Washington
| of the future. he said, is as much ahead OF
| the present as the present Is ahead of what
| it was fifty years ago. Those Of the follow
ing generations will see. he added, some
] thing equal to the park places of the
European cities.
| DR.. Galloway Of the Agricultural Depart
ment. to show the proportions Of the indus
! try of growing flowers under glass, said
| that if all the glass in all the green houses
! in the country, each a foot square. was put
end to end 1t would reach 1900 miles
| From tree still in the green houses Of the
\ department here q navel orange tree was
! started in California, and today there are
25,0OO acres of such trees in California from
| that one tree.
| Mr.. O'Mara remarked that ne admires the
pure heart and clear head Of the gardener
He is the Atlas. bearing the horticulture
of the world" he stated. land the man who
rises to be a head gardener is not honored
| enough in this or any other country"
Superintendent Smith of the Botanical
| Gardens said that he is thankful for being
| a gardener"
President-elect Stewart of the Society OF
American Florists announced that hear
| ing was scheduled for today before the in
| terState commerce commission to see
i EXPRESS m
for the florists or whether the florists were
made for the express companies"
| Other speakers were brief In their re-
| marks, Mr.. GUIDE responding to the toast
| Our Guests. and Mr. Craig toasting THE
| Ladies'" Impromptu speeches were made by
E. G. Hill of Richmond, Ind. w. H. Elliot,
! and Benjamin Hammond.
CROWDS AT THE SHOW.
Lovers of Roses Linger About the
Many Booths.
i /,