Evening star., 1928-03-25
SPRING NEAR AS WHITE HOUSE
PLANTS BURST INTO BLOSSOM
Crocus and Magnolias Blooming, While
Other Flowers Show Signs of
Flowering Early.

There is every evidence about the
White House grounds that Spring final
ly has arrived.
The past two or three days Of mild
weather have had the effect of magic
wand on the plant life within these
beautiful acres. Hundreds of crocus,
varied in color. and lonquils have
bIoomed. and the several japanese
magnolia trees burst into blossom FRI
day night. and attracted no END oil at
tenton on the part OF paSSersoy yes
terday.
blue and white hyacinths are peep
ing above the surface in the large
flower bed in front OF the fountain II
the north grounds. and the indications
are that the forsythia and tulips Will
burst forth in all their colorful glory
within a few days The iris. OF whicn
there are hundreds In the various oeos
In the White House grounds, promise 10
follow closely.
Other Shrubs Budding.
In the meantime the many rose
bushes and other plants and shrubs
and trees have come out Of their Win
ter lethargy and are rapidly making
ready To present their Spring array
Those who are responsible for the horc-
culture and Horticulture III thess
grounds are proudly laying claim TO the
honor of having the FIRST magnolas 10
bloom In the Capital. However, IL Is
admitted that plant life generaiiy
throughout Washington Is consideranly
behind this year compared With former
wears, The several japanese cherry
trees In the rear grounds are wonder
fully wen advanced. and their beautiful
nlnk blossoms are looked for any day
now.
The huge horse chestnut tree planted
by President Mckinley near the west
gate In the front grounds Is expected
again To win the honors OF being the
iirst Of the hundreds OF trees IN these
grounds to present leaves.
Despite the rapidity with which the
plant life has matured during these
few Springlike days. the White House
gardeners are not yet making ready 10
replace the greens stationed about the
| front portico and the east and vest
wings of the White House with the
famous bay trees. The latter can stand
| very little chilly weather and they are
kept within doors until all fear OF u
sudden drop In the Temperature has
| passed
Co0Iidges Fond Of Flowers.
| Both the President and Mrs Coolidge
are especially fond OF flowers lin fact
| all forms of plant life Mrs. Coolidge
| who Ii going about very little since her
recent Illness. spends considerable time
, during the morning walking about the
, rear grounds and has watched with
genuine interest each days progress
| made by the various shrubs and plants
| During his walks back and forth TO
| the executive office and while on his
| constitutional atrolis about the front
| and rear grounds President Coolidge
| invariably stops frequently To inspect
the plant life TO see how II Is advancing
| Much interest Is eentefed In the
| White House nroous There are more
| than 1000 OF these bulbs scattered
about the grounds and when they reach
! treir full maturity they present a spec
| taeie that n the envy OF every lover
of home gardens There are u score or
more squirrels In the White House
grounds, and the gardeners contend
/ that these animals make away with
| more than thousand crocus bulbs each
| year,
Roses Center Of Attention.
The opinion III that the preaident's
| chief interest lies In the, White House
rose gardens The larger OF these
| gardens Ii Immediately east Of the
| Presidents oftlea and contains mere
| than 800 bushes and dozen or so rose
aud specimen OF rose may he found IN
this garden, and when II y ~ fuil
hlOnm II In a spot nf rare beauty,
Another knOl nf tnteFrkt Ia lAh TEAR