The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-08
ROBERTSON'S STORE
IN FASHION CENTER
Place Is Oldest on Connec-
tiCut Avenue and Has
Great Trade.

Perhaps one Of the most unique flower
shops. in the city is that of John Rob
ertson, at HOS Connecticut avenue north
west. Presided over by Mr.. Robertson
In person. ana Mr.. Robertson has a
distinct personality. it caters TO one
OF the most fashionable and exclusive
trades In the city
This shop is the oldest on Connecticut
avenue. and was the frst established in
The ultTafashionable section of the cfty.
It remains today as it was a score or
more years ago. and has, in large part.
the same trade.
The store was opened twenty-five
years ago by Alexander b. Garden. Of
Anaeostia, who still conducts a big how-
er nursery In that suburb When Mr.
Garden opened his place. the section
around Dupont Circle, now the most
fashionable in the city, was then little
more than a swamp, and the first hand
some dwellings We're just working their
way up Connecticut avenue. The build
Ing Is one Of the Oldest in that section,
and was built by Rauscher, the caterer,
who, IS the Section grew, found the
building TOO small for his wants,
Goes to AnacOstia.
Nine years ago Mr.. Garden decided
10 devote his entire attention to hts
AnacoStia nuI series. and he sold the
Connecticut avenue business to Mr..
Robertson Since that time, the bust
ness has grown steadily with the
growth OF the city to the northwest
The shop inside is a mass Of palms
and cut flowers. and Mr.. Robertson
gets some Of the rarest buds in the
city. He has made the care of flowers
life long study, and is himself an
expert gardener. Consequently, ne is
familiar with every phase Of plant life.
For many years. Mr.. Robertson was an
expert IN the Department OF Agricul-
ture and in the White House. He has
grown flowers since his early childhood.
and he learned the business with the
thoroughness that the European teach
ers give. In Europe, gardening is a
profession, and man must serve an
eight years apprenticeship before be
IS regarded as fully qualified
Mr.. Robertson was born in Bathshire.
Scotland. September 10. 1853 and he re-
Celved his education in the Scotch
schools. When he became Old enough,
he started as a gardener. and learned
botany from the ground up. He held
positions on many of the big estates Of
England ana Scotland, but in 1882 de-
Cided TO come 10 America He entered
the employ of William Bennett, the cele-
brated florist OF FIatbush, Brooklyn,
VINO year later, because of his great
skill in plant production. sent him 70
the White House gardens
H.. NJ. Va
For nine years Mr. Robertson did the
conservatory and landscape work. when
he was transferred to the Department of
Agriculture. He was at the department
in the bropagating gardens in this city
for eight years. when he resigned and
the Connecticut avenue bust
mesh from Mr.. Garden.
Many OF the estates OF the wealthy
around Washington. even the city man
sions around Dupont circle show the
expert hand OF Mr. Robertson. Al
though he has not made a speciality of
growing or landscape work since he has
been in business he receives continual /
calls from his patrons many OF whom /
VIII not lay a lawn without his advice. |
In doing this work Mr. Robertson has
become a genius in laying small gardens (
in the limited spaces of the city. Most /
OF all TO him, however. is the /
Hover shop. 10 which he deVOtes most I
Of his attention. He does not make a /.
speciality of any elias OF work. Mr.. Rob
ertSOn Ia vice president OF the Florists !
Climb. and Is one of the chief promoters /
tiTelessly for the success OF the show, {
- he has worked in the past for the I
club