Eepoet on the Floeicultuee Exhibit, i 285- 



New York occupied almost one-half the space under the great 

 dome of Horticultural Hall The side facing the north was selected on 

 account of its affording better opportunity for the growing and dis- 

 playing of the exhibits. This covered an area of 15,000 square feet, 

 which was divided into two sections. One of Y,000 square feet, situ- 

 ated in the northeast section under tlie dome, was devoted to the special 

 display of cut flowers and florists' supplies, made by the members of 

 the New York Florist Club. The remaining .8,000 sqnare feet was 

 designed in a half circle at the base of the great mound in the center 

 of the dome space. Upon this were arranged the magnificent specimen 

 palms an(J ornamental foliage plants. 



It was declared with much nnaniniity by the horticultural jDress that 

 the State collection of palms and foliage plants, and the manner in 

 which they were arranged, were the crowning feature of the floricul- 

 tural department of the exposition. The idea was to give a practical 

 illustration of plant decorative art. The design was an ideal dell in 

 the tropics. Fifty loads of sand and soil were arranged into miniature 

 hills and dales, rising in the background to a height of forty feet. 

 Twelve loads of natural bark-covered tree trunks, from three to eight feet 

 in height, were arranged in forest-like fashion. , Upon these were placed 

 fine specimen palms, the tubs being covered by natural bark to match 

 that on the tree trunks. Fine jjalms and foliage plants were arranged 

 in naturally disposed groups, while thousands of specimen ferns and 

 beautiful mosses completely covered the ground. An irregular water- 

 course about seventy-five feet long and from three to sixteen feet wide, 

 was made and cemented. Along each side of this were arranged huge 

 boulders of natural rock stone ; these rocks led to the center of the 

 design, where they rose to a height of about twenty feet. Here a 

 fountain of water was made to gush forth, and descend in a natural 

 cascade over tlie rough rocks, filling up the winding brook below, and 

 forming a very effective and beautiful waterfall and forest-like stream. 

 Huge rocks were placed at various positions on the high hillocks, 

 among which were planted beautiful ferns and selaginellas. A wind- 

 ing gravel walk crossed the stream, close to the waterfall, over a rustic 

 bridge of wood and stone. On either side of this were planted rare 

 ferns and vines that overhung the stream. This winding path, which 

 was here and there banked by ferns and moss-covered rocks, sometimes 

 leading over steps made of rocks, extended the full length of the design. 



Yiewing the state exhibit from the outside or main walk, visitors 

 were charmed with the very imposing effect of the splendid palms, 

 which were the tallest at the exposition-, and ranged from foi'ty to fifty 

 feet in height. There were also majestic fan palms and sugar palms, 

 forming avenues of graceful foliage. Here and there the arching 

 foliage of the Kentias and Arecas, with groups of Dracaenas and ferns 

 beneath, formed lovely vistas through which could be seen the cascade 

 with its splashing waters glittering in a casual ray, piercing the dense 

 mass of foliage. Here and there, too, the eye caught a glimpse of the 

 brilliant foliage of the Crotons, reflecting tlie combined hues of our 

 spring and autumn woodland scenes. On entering the inner walk, 

 which was continually crowded with visitors, one was struck with the 



