Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-13

II never realized until this Spring.
said the man who had been in Wash
ington for several years, lust how many
flowers there are in this CITY,"
There are many people who have
been living here all their lives, who
DO not realize the position the National
Capital has taken as q floral place de
luxe.
Their eyes possess a sort Of blind spot,
as 1t were, which prevents them from
seeing exactly what they look at.
Some special occasion, or maybe a
memory, or just word, will reveal to
them suddenly the flower beauty Of the
District Of Columbia and nearby
suburbs.
That is why we never tire here of
pointing out this glory of Washington,
in the belief land gertrude, for that
natter that many persons are over
looking what they might as well enjoy.
The city enjoys not only the advan-
tages. in a horticultural way, OF the
work of the various Government agen-
cies, such as the Botanic Garden, the
United States propagating gardens, and
the Department of Agriculture green
houses, but also of an aroused public
interest in gardening in all its phases.
The interest Is mirrored in the in
crease in numbers and the expansion
in size of seed stores and other houses
selling plants, fertilizers, tools. etc. to
the amateur gardener. ana especially
in the tremendous growth. during the
past decade, of the department store
business in the same.
The writer here has for number OF
years been devoting considerable space
to a consideration of the joys Of home
gardening, and as a result of CORE
spondence realizes, as not every one
does. perhaps the really great increase
in public interest in such work which
has taken place from 1922 on.
This is not to say that no one garden
ed in Washington and suburbs before
the Great War. They did. CT course.
The National Capital has always been
lovely in Springtime.
The great mass of the people, how
ever. did not go in" for flowers and
shrubs on the present scale. nor did the
reading and conversational topics con-
nected Herewith loom so large.
Publicity in its various branches has
focused thousands OF eyes and minds
upon flowers and gardens, upon land
scape gardening and outdoor living
rooms" SO that today these terms are
commonplace.
The happy fact is that words and
interest have been translated into deeds
and creations. Everywhere one goes he
sees some attempts at floral beautifica-
ton.
Home owners are interested In the
subject as never before. 1t Is realized
that while money makes the mare go,
here as elsewhere in a sense. still 1t
is amazing what may be done with a
~
water and much determination.
The result is a city which is actually
more beautiful the year round aided by
the thought given by builders and home
owners to such matters as foundation
paintings, the retention of trees, and
so on.
There is no subject too small. and
apparently none too large, to receive
the consideration Of home lovers. We
have heard business men Of affairs talk
heatedly over the merits Of privet
hedge as compared with the desirable
ity and good qualities Of a hedge Of
Japanese barberry.
Two men who have known each
other in a business way for 20 years
suddenly find that they are mutually
interested In water gardens, or water
lily pools.
At once their acquaintance takes on
new note. while each details the
trials and tribulations. as well as the
sport. OF getting balanced pool,
what with goldfish. tadpoles, black
japanese snails, oxygenating plants,
waterlilies, etc.
The desirability Of fresh water
clam in such an outdoor aquarium
becomes all Of a sudden a more en-
crossing topic to these two men than
the latest antics Of a bewildered Con-
gress.
Second childhood?
Not a bit Of it!
These good men and true are dis