Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1892 — WHITE HOUSE FLOWERS. Mrs. Harrison’s Interest in Orchids. Mrs. Cleveland Liked Pansies. [ARTICLE]

WHITE HOUSE FLOWERS.

Mrs. Harrison’s Interest in Orchids. Mrs. Cleveland Liked Pansies.

Mrs. Harrison, the accomplished mistress of the White House, is passionately fond of orchids, writes the Washington correspondent of the Minneapolis Tribune. She not only has them in profusion about the rooms of the Executive Mansion, but studies, cultivates and paints them. The White House conservatory contains over 150 varieties of tho orchid, numbering in all perhaps 5,000 plants. These have the special care of Superintendent Pfister, who is one of the most experienced florists in the country. The superintendent is greatly stimulated in the development of this beautiful! flower by Mrs. Harrison’s appreciation and intelligent suggestions. Superintendent Pfister states that when he took charge of the White House conservatory, sixteen years ago, the orchid was little known outside of botanical clubs and the homes of the wealthy. There wer. then only half a dozen specimens on the ground of the Executive Mansion, and no one seemed to realize the possibilities of the plant. There are many private conservatories in the East where more money has been spent on the orchid than at the White House, but nowhere has it been cultivated with more skill, patience or affection. It has been one of Mrs. Harrison’s ambitions to reproduce with her brush the manifold beauties of this flower, and her painting master has spent a great deal of time in the conservatory making special studies of her favorite plants. Some of Mrs. Harrison’s work in this line is very successful. She has delighted her friends with her faithfnl imitation of nature. Mrs. Harrison's taste in the matter of floral decoration for the White House is somewhat different from that of her predecessors. She prefers solid colors on the table. She does not want the roses mixed. If they are white, they are to be all white, and if red they are to be all red. Whatever flower has the preference for the day, its wealth must be shown in solid pieces, whether in baskets or bouquets. The limited capacity of the conservatory prevents the establishment of any inflexible rule on this point, but the superintendent makes it his business to understand the tastes of the President’s family, and naturally it is his constant study to please. Mrs. Cleveland’s favorite flower was the pansy. The ladies have noted with interest that many of Baby Cleveland’s first garments were embroidered with pansies. After President Cleveland’s marriage the pansy became a regular fixture in the White House, where its delicate aroma was always distinguishable. It is still cultivated in profusion, but by ho means so extensively as from 1886 to 1889. The old employes of the White House and the superintendent of the conservatory recall vJith interest and pleasure President Arthur's fondness for flowers. No occupant of the Executive Mansion has shown a greater knowledge or more refined taste on the subject. It was sometimes amusing to the attendants and vexatious to the florists to see the way he would disarrange their floral decorations. He was always seeking to harmonize the colors of the floral designs. He wanted flowers in every room and the best that could be produced. It was not sufficient, however, that-lhey be supplied in profusion. There had to be a showing of good taste in their arrangement on the tables and mantels. President Arthur spent a great deal of time in the conservatory. He delighted in showing his friends over the place and pointing out the rare and beautiful specimens. The White House conservatory occupies about an acre of ground. There are eight greenhouses devoted to the growing of plants. The conservatoryproper is divided into two parts, tropical and temperate. Th-i system of heating, lighting atjd ventilating is as near perfect as cop Id be devised. All of the buildings are under glass. There are nearly 5,000 plants. Hundreds of very rare tropical plants are to be seen, as well as ail the native or more commonly known flowers. Just at this time the Easter lily is receiving special attention and the specimens of this plant are both numerous and beautiful. The rose reaches its most perfect state in those grounds. On an average 100 roses a dav are placed in the White House. The President gets a basket almost everymorning for his office. Occasionally tho supply runs short and something else is substituted.

The appropriation for the White House conservatory averages about $5,000 per annum. With this sum the salaries of three men have to be paid, the house kept in repair, and soil and plants purchased. How so much can be accomplished with so small an amount of money is hard to understand. The conservatory, like the White House itself, is open to visitors. All the children in the District of Columbia haye the privilege of going there once a year. Owing to the limited space persons who wish to inspect it must receive permission to do so, and they arc accompanied by the superintendenf or a guide. It is one of the attractions of Washington. Students of botany and floriculture who come to the city do not feel that their visit is complete unless they ore able to spend an hour or two there.