H O R T I C U L T U R i: 



Society of American Florists' Entertainment at Washington 



Ample provision — in fact more than ample, it 

 would seem — has been made hy the Washington 

 people to entertain the visiting members of the na- 

 tional society on its 2rst birthday celebration. The 

 festival character of the first Washington conven- 

 tion was very marked, and no doubt this year's 

 afTair will be a repetition of that long-to-be-remem- 

 bered occasion, with a very good pretext in the 

 birthday sentiment for outdoing it, if possible. 

 President Gude, of the Florists' Club of Washington, 

 assures us that "from the time that the visiting flor- 

 ists and their ladies reach Washington, until they 

 take the train or boat for home, we hope to keep 

 every moment of their time pleasantly and profit- 

 ably occupied" and, from past experience, we know 

 that is just what is a-going to happen. 



A few of the events listed on the local entertain- 

 ment program so far as perfected, are carriage and 

 automobile rides for the ladies, including a trip 

 through the world-famed Rock Creek Park, luncheon 

 en route; reception and entertainment in the great 

 Congressional Library, from the cafe of which mag- 

 nificent views may be had of the city of Washington, 

 Soldiers' Home, Naval Observatory, Potomac River, 

 city of Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, 

 Lee estate. Fort Meyer, and other interesting his- 

 toric spots, and a concert by the United States 

 Marine Band. 



Special arrangements have been made in the 

 various departments of the United States Govern- 

 ment to show particular attention to all members 

 wearing the S. A. F. badge, so, whatever department 

 any one may be interested in, he may rest assured 

 everything will be done to im])art information. 



Special guides will be in attendance at United 

 States Propagating Gardens to show and explain 

 their method of greenhouse building, planting and 

 experimenting. The White House greenhouses ad- 

 joining will be found very interesting, and at the 

 Agricultural Department there is enough to keep 

 those interested busy for weeks. 



Sporting matters are well in hand, and bowling 

 will be taken care of in the most up-to-date manner. 

 Numerous valuable prizes to be contested for are 

 already provided, both for ladies and gentlemen, 

 and the superintendent of the culinary has prom- 

 ised that no one taking part in these pleasural)le 

 exercises shall go hungry or thirsty while thus en- 

 gaged. 



The gentleman in charge of the prize-shooting 

 contest has given assurance that nothing will be 

 lacking to make this an eventful afternoon for all 

 those who may take part in it, and those who ac- 

 company them. The groimds of the Analostan Gun 

 Club have been secured for this occasion, and the 

 same are most favorably situated within twenty 

 minutes of Convention Hall, easily accessible by a 



car system second to none in the United States. 

 Mr. Z. D. Blackistmic will have charge of this event, 

 which alone should !)e enough to assure success. 

 And there are other very pleasing announcements yet 

 to be made. 



Since writing the above, the report of the meeting 

 of the Florists' Club of Washington, held on Monday, 

 July 22, comes to hand, and we learn from it that 

 the members favor a lawn itie or open-air reception 

 for the president, in place of the customary in-door 

 affair which has been held in connection with past 

 conventions. It is proposed to have music by a 

 band of fifty pieces while refreshments are being 

 served throughout the evening. 



It has been arranged to have the lawn lighted on 

 this occasion by the full moon, assisted by several 

 hundred incandescent lights, which no doubt will 

 furnish a scene beautiful to the eye. Special cars will 

 be provided to carrv every one from the Convention 

 Hall out to the scene of action. Music, refreshments, 

 and good cheer will be in such abundance that the 

 hosts trust those jiresent will call themselves for- 

 tunate in being able to participate in the auspicious 

 opening of what the Washington florists hope to 

 make one of the most successful meetings in the 

 liistorv of the national society. 



Wreath of Sweet Peas 



The wreath herewitli pictured was one of the most 

 beautiful of the numerous floral tokens sent to the 

 funeral of the late Secretary Hay: It was composed 

 of lavender sweet peas and ferns, and was the gift of 

 the Japanese minister and his wife. 



