The Washington times., 1908-11-08
n STREET PIONEER
ISZ.D. BLACKSTONE
St. Mary's County Man Be-
lieYes in Educating Pub
lie Up to Flowers.

Il. D. Blackstone, whose flower shop
at Fourteenth and II streets northwest
offers a pretty picture throughout the
year. has the d stinction Of having es-
tablighed the pioneer business house in
that section Of the city.
When Mr.. Blackstone opened his
flower store ten years ago. his was
practically the only business house ia
that immediate vicinity. The neighbor-
hood was an exclusive residential sec
tions and no evidence was given at that
time that the business OF the city
would move from the section in which
il had been maintained so many years,
toward the uOrJhWest-a trend IL took
several years ago, and which has led
ooIehs or hrms 10 give up their old
quarters farther downtown and move
toward the northwest
Mr.. Blackstone Is a native Of St.
MdTy's county. Md, and Il was after
his graduation from Charlotte Hall
Military Academy that he came to
Washington. Like many other boys,
under the same circumstances, ne sup
ported himself as best he could for a
year, and then entered the employment
Of local florist, where he remained
seven years.
Goes In for Self
During this time he learned the bust
ness thoroughly, and decided 70 branch
out cor himself. lie opened a shop in
Fourtee nth street. and for two years
ne remained there finally moving TO
the northwest corner Of Fourteenth and
II streets, where his attractive shop
I has been beauty spot since
although Mr.. Blackstone does not
ma he speciality OF any one plant or
flowers, he has devoted his energies 10
/ auo her cause. In the past few years,
] tlrou5S a systematic series OF .spe-
al sales OF flowers on Saturdays, he
b as endeavOTed to educate the pub
/ lie generally-not the wealthy people
OF washington, but those in ordinary
ci-cumstauces-tO the ADVANTAGE and
pleasure or keeping a few flowers In
the home, Mr.. Blackstone maintains
that nearly every one is able TO spend
20 cents week for flowers
for the home. and In order to make
us possible. he long ago instituted
special sales when clusters Of flowers
were sold at 10 and Is cents
: - beginning he sent out probably a
! dO-~7 e these boxes each week, he IS
now sending more than a hundred.
There & no profit in 10 for him Mr.
BIac >ist1ae said. but when people get
arc toned 10 seeing a few flowers
+, arounn the house they begin 10 ap-
preciate their beauty and understand
the pleasure they give.
Is Attractive Shop.
The Blackstone shop IS exceedingly
attractive. A small gallery running
around the store is filled with tiny
cedar trees. and the walls are lined
I alternately with mirrors and pictures
Of wedding bouquets which the firm
has furnished for famous brides Tall
palms and ferns are distributed about
the place and large and small vases
and jars are always filed with the
freshest flowers Of the season
The windows are always attractive,
! and Mr. Blackstone takes especial
pride l. this part OF his establishment.
At Easter time. one IS always sure IN
see tho iOveliest flowers OF the season
ViOlets and Easter lilies-arranged in
the window IN some unique manner.
and at the present time, Mr.. Black
stone is exhibiting some Of the finest
/ specimens Of ChTysauthemums ever
shown in Washington.
IL the growth OF his business, Mr..
Blackstone has seen the realization
Of the hopes Of his youth I'm building
up his own establishment, and making
II a model Of It's kind.