PARK AND CEMETERY- 
18 
THE ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW, CHICAGO. 
The annual flower show, which in combination 
with an art exhibit by the Cosmopolitan Art Club, 
held in Chicago November 9 to 1 5 inclusive, resulted 
in the most successful exhibition yet held by the 
Chicago Horticultural Society, both in point of 
financial returns and number of visitors, some 18,000 
having passed through the doors. Nor was this the 
only progress recorded, for a much larger space was 
brought into requisition, and a more pretentious and 
important affair than those of former years imme- 
diately impressed the visitor. 
The chrysanthemum, of course, ruled the ex- 
hibit, and from the display it would be hard to 
credit that this queen of autumn flowers has reached 
the zenith of its possibilities, or that the people are 
beginning to grow tired of its annual appearance. 
In variety of color, in variety of form, both as to 
individual blossoms and the plants themselves, the 
display was interesting and instructive, and the pos- 
sibility of the chrysanthemum as to size to which a 
single flower can be grown appears not yet to be 
solved. 
The chrysanthemum, however, did not comprise 
the exhibition, for roses, carnations, geraniums, 
cyclamen, orchids and decorative plants of all 
classes, each occupied an important place and were 
well represented. 
Geraniums, exhibited as pot plants, attracted 
much attention. Never, perhaps, did such a show 
of fine plants greet a visitor’s entrance to a flower 
show. Those grown by Mr. W. N. Rudd, superin- 
tendent of Mount Greenwood Cemetery, Chicago, 
were simply remarkable for size of plant and beauty 
and profusion of bloom. By the way, Mr. Rudd was 
again the banner premium winner of the exhibition. 
His success in the cultivation of chrysanthemums, 
carnations and geraniums is very striking, and 
should stimulate other cemetery superintendents, 
where opportunity offers, to develop and exhibit 
their skill in this or kindred lines. 
A feature of this exhibition, and one that is 
gaining more attention, is the matter of table deco- 
ration, and some very attractive arrangements 
were representd in competition for premiums 
offered. Some private citizens contributed hand- 
some selections of plants to add to the general dis- 
play, but beyond an exhibit by the Lincoln Park 
Board the other parks were not represented. This 
is an oversight. With ample means and facilities at 
their command park officials should recognize the 
desirability of contributing to public exhibitions of 
this character. Such affairs are educational and re- 
fining, and the influence of the park might readily 
be extended to make itself apparent at such enter- 
taining displays. 
The efforts of the Horticultural Society of Chi- 
cago are rapidly making headway, and year by year 
we shall witness a growing importance attached to 
its annual exhibitions. 
Other important flower shows recently held, and 
which taken collectively, show decided progress in 
American floriculture, are those of St. Louis, Mo., 
Germantown, Pa., Indianapolis, Ind.,Port Chestdr, 
N. Y., Milwaukee, Wis., Kansas City, Mo., 
Worcester, Mass., Philadelphia and New York 
City. 
While Mark Twain was in Dresden, says an exchange, 
he expressed a wish to meet Dr. Paul Lindau. The re- 
sult was a dinner given by the American resident there 
which brought the two distinguished authors together. 
When conversation became general Dr. Lindau gave his 
views on America. He had been there for a few weeks 
and knew it all. In particular he condemned the cli- 
mate of Florida. Mr. Clemens thereupon spoke up: ‘‘I 
was there some years ago and spent some time in Key 
West. While at Key West a schooner put in one day 
with several of the crew dead from yellow fever. Well, 
there was great excitement in the town and e'aborate 
preparations were made for the funeral. A minister was 
secured to officiate, and when all was ready he opened 
his prayer book and read the marriage service. There 
was no funeral service in the Key West prayer books. 
They never have occasion to use it.” 
* * * 
“Probably not one person in a thousand knows just 
why leaves change their color in the fall,” remarked an 
eminent botanist recently. “The green matter in the 
tissue of a leaf is composed of two colors, red and blue. 
When the sap ceases to flow in the autumn the natural 
growth of the tree is retarded and oxidation of the tis- 
sue takes place. Under certain conditions the green of 
the leaf changes to red; under different aspects it takes 
on a yellow or brown hue. The difference in color is 
due to the difference in combinations of the original 
constituents of the green tissues and to the varying con- 
ditions of climate, exposure and soil. A dry, hot cli- 
mate produces more brilliant foliage than one that is 
damp and cool. This is the reason that American 
autumns are so much more gorgeous than those of Eng- 
land and Scotland. There are several things about 
leaves, however, that even science cannot explain. For 
instance, why one of three trees growing side by side, of 
the same age and having the same exposure, should take 
on a brilliant red in the fall and the other should turn 
yellow, or why one branch of the tree should be highly 
colored and the rest of the tree have only a yellow tint 
are questions that are as impossible to answer as why 
one member of a family should be perfectly healthy and 
another sickly. Maples and oaks have the brightest 
colors. People should be careful not to touch the gor- 
geous red and yellow autumn leaves or shrubs and 
climbing plants which are not known to be harmless. 
Our two poisonous native plants display the most bril- 
liant autumnal colors of any species in our woods and 
highways. The poisonous sumach resembles a group of 
young ash trees. The poisonous ivy resembles the 
harmless woodbine. Its leaves, however, nave but three 
leaflets, while those of the woodbine have five.” — Wash- 
ington Star. 
