Evening star., 1943-05-16
BY John Clagett Proctor.

by JOnn ClagetI FrOcLOr.
To many, II years ago seems but yes
terday, and yet 1t was in 1902, during the
administration OF President Theodore
Roosevelt that the old conservatories
were removed from the west side OF the
White House to make way for the execu-
tive Offices, which, in way, destroyed the
privacy of the Executive Mansion, and
the Office building which now occupies
the site does certainly detract from the
beauty of the White House
The origin of the Conservatives is said
to date back to Zachary Taylor's brief
administration, and that all flowers used
at that time and during the terms of
Presidents Fillmore and Pierce were
propogated in three rambling, squat,
glass houses" then adjacent to the
Presidents home.
During President Pierce's administra-
ton these unpretentious greenhouses
were sufficient for the purpose of deco
rating the executive table for state din
ners and for an occasional nosegay.
During this time there were two wings
to the White House, one to the east and
one to the west, only basement high, and
scarcely reaching above the height of the
roadway. These wings were used for the
sleeping quarters of employees and for
stables.
Adjoining the eastern wing were the
three greenhouses mentioned, and when
this wing was removed the greenhouses
were transferred to the western side. 1t
was then decided to build conservatory
on the top of the western wing, and that
was the origin of the conservatory proper.
An extension was made 40 feet west and
go feet south.
The greenhouse known as the Camellia
house, running at right angles to the con-
servatory, was built and was the first OF
the series of radiating greenhouses, be-
ing in part formed of the original hot
houses moved from the other side. At
its southern end was formerly little
pavilion with pillars and fountain.
A grapery was built during President
Lincolns administration.
At Mrs Hayes remaining receptions,
which followed the rebuilding of the
conservatory in 1880, the conservatory
was thrown open and brilliantly lighted
at night, adding wonderfully to the
beauty of the entertainments.
Destroyed by Fire.
The conservatory was burned down
during Andrew Johnson's administration,
and all of it's valuable plants were de-
stroyed, among them being the largest
Victoria regina in the United States. AS
is known, it is an aquatic plant OF great
value. No attempt has ever been made
to replace it, on account Of the want OF
an appropriation for the tank and other
necessaries.
In the early 80s Henry Pfster Swiss
gardener with several assistants, looked
after the White House Conservatives.
And it was about this time that re-
porter for The Star printed an interest
ing account of his visit to the conserva-
tories and of his interview with Mr..
Pflster. He said that when he met Mr..
Pfister, "he was cutting off little punches
of leaves from a plant nearly 3 feet high
which was then about reduced to stalks.
The stem of the punches of leaves he
stuck into boxes of wet sand. I am
propagating.' said Mr.. Pfster, in answer
to the reporters questions. Every one OF
these shoots will take root. They are
then potted and afterwards placed in the
gardens, forming those beautiful, bright
colored beds which attract so much at
tention. The parent plant will be thrown
away
The reporter learned that one OF the
most important duties of the head gar
deners Office is to arrange suitable floral
decorations for the Presidents entertain
ments have been here seven years.
said Mr.. Pfister and never before were
so many flowers used as now. I am al
ways told the date Of a proposed dinner,
and the number of guests and I make
my preparations accordingly. If I have
not enough flowers available I buy what
more I want. You know every lady
present must have hand bouquet, and
that takes lots of flowers.
1.-The character of the decorations and
the designs are left entirely to me, and
of course, I endeavor not to repeat my
ideas. I always try to devise something
suitable for the occasion. For instance