Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27
BY LEE LAMAR ROBINSON.

The king is deadl Long live the king!
The cherry blossoms In Potomac Park
have come and gone for this year. Vol
umes in prose and poetry have been
written of them, and justifiably. But so
generous has been Mother Nature to
the territory which is of and around
metropolitan Washington it still has in
gratifying measure other floral offerings
of like character to those in Potomac
Park which, in the opinion of many,
exceed in beauty, as they undoubtedly
do in fragrance, the blooms which fea-
ture annually the tranSplantingS around
the Speedway from the Far East.
The apple blossoms locally should be
at their best. Unless the cold weather
should take a hand and ruthleSSly de-
Stroy the freshness and beauty of these
blooms in Montgomery County in Mary
land and in Arlington and Fairfax
Counties in Virginia, Sunday trip by
motor which offers convenient travel
and journey taking UP much less than
a day. with breakfast and dinner at
home, is awaiting those in the National
Capital who may or may not so will 1t.
Many WaShingtonians naturally have
just enjoyed the apple blossom fete
around Winchester, and have been re-
paid for their time and trouble. This
trip means two days at least by motor
If fatigue and the trials of traffic con-
geStior are not to be considered. Even
then there is some of both in the
journey. The one in prospect just now,
the National Capital local tour, largely
through its metropolitan territory,
promises, according to horticulturiSts In
the Department Of Agriculture, oppor-
tunities for feasting ones eyes on dis
plays Of the extravagances of nature
almost at ones front door, equaling, If
not exceeding, in exotic beauty any
possible to be found in the Valley of
the Shenandoah. The difference nat
urally Is in the acreage and number
Of orchards to be found close at hand.
Buds Are Of Pink Tint.
And, say these good-natured parti-
sans, the treat which Is now in store
will equally recompenSe those who may
had opportunity of seeing the cherry
blossoms in full bloom. Offerings in the
orchards, large and small, near Wash
ington should now about have reached
the stage where the buds are three
fourthS in bloom, a stage which offers
possibly the most ideal Of times for
viewing them. Enthusiastic nature
lovers say the buds on apple trees when
just about ready to open fully are in
FlClnR enough anu inspiring enough 10
pierce the armor Of the most extreme
Of cynics with their appeal. The buds
are pink, the brighter color adding to
the lure. The blossoms in full are
white.
The full-bloom stage, however, when
hundreds or thousands Of apple trees
are to be seen collectively, offers a sight
more than worth the while, and par
ticularly so If viewed from a distance,
and preferably from hill or rise.
Those motorists who have had the
privilege Of looking down into valleys
such as those to be seen from the Ma
tional Old Trails Highway in Western
Maryland and in West Virginia, as well
as in the Shenandoah country, upon
thousands Of acres Of apple trees, either
well into the bud or in full bloom. have
had thrill like unto which few scenic
views may afford.
The crab apple tree has its partisans
and, despite the psychology of its
name, is well deserving of loyalty when
it begins to put out its buds in the
Spring of the year. It's partly opened
bud is pink, also, but of a pink like
few others seen on tree or flower. An
expert in the Department of Agricul-
ture, OF the feminine persuasion, said
of the bloom of the crab apple tree
that it is very lovely" thus adequately
describing 1t, doubtless. The peach