Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-22
EVERY FLOWER A ROSE
TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
Difficulty Experienced in
"EIecting" a Bloom for the
National Capital.

Whats in a name? A rose by any
other name would
And that's where the trouble is in the
voting contest which has been arranged
in the school for 1.-THE flower Of the Ma
tional Capital for 1912" The trouble is
not in calling a rose out of It's name, but
in calling every other flower a rose.
Several days ago the children were told
they would have a vote-regular election
day-on which they should decide what
flower should decorate the city streets
during the coming summer. The plan was
to have the pupils name some easily cul-
tivated annual flower seed. which could be
the general attractiveness OF Washington
by having large beds of flowers all Of one
hue.
Rose Ineligible.
But when the vote was taken nearly
every one voted for rose" The rose
was ineligible for several reasons. It Is
not plant which can be grown as an
annual: it is not easily cultivated. and 1t
is not a cheap plant When the trend Of
the voting contest was apparent Miss
Susan b. Sipe, who has the matter in
charge, had the voting postponed SO that
kind of flower which must be selected and
make more intelligent choice. OF course.
the fact that some particular flower Is
chosen AS the city flower for the year win
not mean that other flowers are not to be
planted or cultivated, but simply that the
children will lay special emphasis on the
cultivation of q particular plant.
The voting will be resumed this week.
and 1t is hoped by those in charge will
bring better results. The decision reached
xafl1 he
Miss Sipe Explains.
Miss Sipe explained the matter today.
"A longer time for the education Of the
children on the kinds of flowers to choose
from was found necessary she said.
"A city flower should be one that may be
planted by every one in great masses at
little expense. Otherwise it Is not city
flower Naturally, the first flower that
comes into the Juvenile mind is the rose.
Investigations in the first grade connect
ed with the Normal School in the early
part of the school year show that little
folks apply the name Of rose to every
flower whose name they do not actually
know. - geranium was called a red rose,
the golden rod q yellow rose. II the name
rose was not right. the lily was the next
familiar name. Consequently. as soon az
a city flower was mentioned there was q
most enthusiastic clamor for q rose, with
carnations and violets following closely.
Roses, under childish c1ltivat on. would
make no display. Many children could
not procure single rose bush, much less
make an effective showing.
1.-The teachers have also been urged TO
make use Of the opportunity to give les
sons in good citizenship not only the evil
dent one Of pride In the city's appearance,
but in the necessity of the minority bend
ing to the Judgment of the majority and
every one willingly planting the one
chosen"
Enumeration by Colors.
The flowers which have been recon.
mended and declared eligible. with in.
formation concerning them, are as fol
lows, classified by color:
Red-Scarlet sage should not be planted
| close to red brick unless softened by q
green background. 1t looks best wher
massed in mounds and hedges It need.
plenty of water. The first blossoms shoulC
/ be pinched of. 1t In considered rather
| difficult TO raise from seed. but many
| fourth grade children had success with
| IL last year.
China pinks are useful as border now
| ers. Their shade varies from light Il
dark red. They are odor1ess and bloom
until frost comes. Being very hardy. theJ
often survive the winter to blossom anew
the following Sprng.
Zinnias are another hardy species. Thi