52 
be necessary to announce such a decision sufficiently early to 
allow of the production of flowers by the necessary date. The 
recognition by the Parade Committee of this, although one of 
the smallest, yet one of the most beautiful of agricultural indus- 
tries, would in time afford such .stimulus to the growing of 
flowers for cutting that our general market supply would not be 
so uncertain or confined to such a few varieties as it is at present. 
In course of time we would hope to see the use of natural flowers 
in the Parade so extended that the artificial ones would become 
relegated to a secondary position and finally put under the ban 
altogether. 
We are aware that the merits of artificial, floral decorations 
are great, particularly in respect to their being free from the 
frailty of withering and their accessibility at all seasons of the 
year, but we would like to see a standard adopted which would 
look to genuineness alone, beyond ostentatious display and 
facility of use. 
If the difficulties of obtaining genuine blossoms are great, so 
much the more merit to those whose care has produced them. If 
the inherent qualities of some varieties of natural blossoms to 
wither, when exposed to a bright sun, are likely to destroy the 
appearance of a car decorated with them, so much the more de- 
serving of honor those whose resources have overcome such an 
obstacle or whose energies have been expended in cultivating 
flowers suited to withstand such a trying ordeal. 
THE COMING FLEET. 
Now that the visit of the fleet to Honolulu has been removed 
from the realm of uncertainty, it is in order to discuss the vari- 
ous problems with which its reception will be accompanied. The 
arrival of the largest number of people who have ever visited the 
Hawaiian Islands at one time — and indeed of probably the largest 
number of individuals who have embarked upon the Pacific 
Ocean together — is necessarily attended with many difficulties of 
victualing. These are intensified by the smallness of the white 
community in Honolulu and also by the fact that the visitors 
who are to be entertained possess the same tastes and inclina- 
tions and will make similar demands upon our meagre commis- 
sariat as we ourselves do. 
It is to be expected that with regard to all oreserved foods, 
such as canned and dried meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, and 
to all grocery supplies the fleet will come adequately provis- 
ioned, or will receive here renewed stores for which the govern- 
ment has without doubt already made arrangements. With re- 
gard to all fresh provisions, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish and 
to dairy produce, however, the local market will be taxed to ?n 
