Imperial Valley press., 1939-03-02
PoSiieS
PYOVG
Point
Fair Demonstrates
Desert Can Blossom
AS And With Roses
BY MARGUERITE BROOKS


Living proof that a desert
can be made to ''rejoice and
blossom as the rose" will be
displayed in a booth devoted
To garden flowers grown in 1mpe-
rial Valley where nothing but cacu
flourished 30 years ago.
This year. for the first time IN |
the history of the annual county |
fair. flowers and ornamental plants
have a department all their own !
The homes and gardens of each
community will give up their cholc-
est blooms to make the display one
of the most attractive in the eX-
hibit building.
A strange quirk in human nature
is revealed by a study OF the exnlolt
list which contains a wide selection
ranging from lilies and violets TO
shrubbery. There are only three
divisions for the entry of cacu,
the only plant found growing IN
the valley when man first visited
il. Apparently those who made the
entry lists had little interest in the
only plants the desert could sup
port before irrigation transformed
it TO a garden spot.
46 Divisions
Flower fanciers may compete for
first. second, and third prizes in
46 divisions. The sweepstakes WIN
ner for flowers will get SIS and
the sweepstakes winner in the or
namental plants division SIS. Other
prizes range from 81 to SIS.
j. c. Archias, Brawley nursery
man, and Dave Vencill. Holtville
banker, are in charge of the exhibit,
They plan to make the display
an example of what is possible in
the way of flowers to adorn the
gardens and yards of valley homes.
The booth, 10 feet by 20 feet in
extent, will occupy a prominent
position in the main exhibit build
ing facing the state exhibit.
Nursery Stock
Nursery stock consisting of trees,
vines and shrubs will be used as
background against which the
colorful flowers will be displayed.
Potted plants will be used as
border TO outline the entire exhibit.
In one corner a rockery with
natural waterfall will add an
exotic note to the delightful spot.
Vases, jars and pots of flowers
will be artistically arranged on
tables and shelves SO spectators
may view them with ease. Each
entry will be ticketed with the
nF
is done because many home owners
wish TO know the names of certain
entries SO they may plant them in
their own gardens.
Suggestions
Colored charts showing suggested
landscape plans for valley homes
will constitute one of the most
important features Of the flori-
culture booth this year.
THE least We can do said Ar
chias, ''is make the booth an inspir-
alton to the public. Someday we
will have a permanent display where
tropical and seIni-tropical plants
will grow all year. Then they will
be in perfect condition at fair time
every winter. This year will make
a good start with an idea of making
it better every year.
Aiding Amateurs
''We hope the booth will show
what actually can be grown by
amateurs in the valley. We hope
it may be the start of a valley-wide
campaign for Identification OF
parkways, more trees, flowers and
shrubs around our homes. and more
parks in every town in the valley"
Many gardeners become discour-
aged because they try to grow flow
ers not suited to this climate. The
committee plans to show the re-
suits of planting and cultivating
practical plants capable of flour
ishing in a reclaimed desert area.
Archias asked that exhibitors look
after their own entries and change
the water in the jars every day
during the fair in order 10 keep