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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 23, 1902)
M EASTER FLOWERS EH ffM M f il 1 fSSl feiWil WSJ?. itlCi early unit; ui r.asier ims jrtrai I I will make no difference in the uettuij nuu vmiey ui uuncia lu be used on this occasion. It Is the end of winter and the advent of the springtime and in no former year in the history of the town have the people made greater preparations for floral deco rations with which to celebrate the day than at present. The greenhouses are full and for many months the florists, anticipating the de sire of the people, have been busy at work In order to be able to supply every demand upon them. And "The folded petals of the rose The pink nnd lily fair. Awaiting their perfected hour. Hold perfumes sweet and rare." Of all the many beautiful and popular plants, however, the Illy, symbol of purity. Is the favorite with the purchasing public and upon this plant has most of the time of the florists been spent. It Is estimated that in the greenhouses at this time there are 10,000 plants that- will be sold during the week of Easter. A conservative dealer says fully $30,000 will be spent for flowers of the different varieties during the week and the florists know. Following close on the lily for popular fa vor, among the potted plants Is the hya cinth, leading the clnerarl and the azaliaa. The palm of course still holds a place close to the front in popular favor as a decora tive plant. Two varieties of the Easter Illy are usually placed on the Omaha market, the Bermuda and the Japanese. This year, how ever, such will not be the case, only the Bermuda being sold. The Japanese Illy Is considered a more beautiful plant, but the florists have found great difficulty in forcing Its bloom, and, owing to Easter being so much earlier this year, very few If any of them will be on the market. The Bermuda lily can be forced and for that reason Is much more popular, at least with the florists. The bulb Is shipped from Bermuda each year and Is planted in a pot during the month of August.. It requires constant nursing and la as tenderly looked after as a babe. The pot Is allowed to re main In the ground as long as the weather remains warm, and then Is removed to the greenhouse. The temperature of the lat ter Is varied from 45 to 50 degrees. By th! time the lily has attained a height of about twelve inches. By forcing, many are made to bloom for Christmas. This year much foreleg is being done in order to get a suf ficient number of blooms ready for the in creased Easter demand. When the forcing of the bloom begins the temperature Is In creased to 60 and 65 degrees and during the last few days It has been increased to 70 degrees. Should the plant show a tendency to bloom too early the temperature is low ered, the florists being able to regulate the blooming almost to a day. The high price of the Easter lily is fre quently commented upon by the public and usually the cause thereof Is not under stood. The expense incident to the growing of the plant Is quite an item, but that is not all. Of the lilies that bloom owing to some flaw or defect frequently 60 per cent are not salable, and are not placed on the market. These are a total Ions. At no time are more than 70 per cent offered for sale. A plant has from four to fifteen blooms, though the latter number Is very rare. Tho hyacinth Is treated In the same man ner as the lily, except it Is kept and grown in the dark. The more expensive and rarer varieties of the Bermuda lilies are not sent to the United States, though the grade has been much improved during recent years. Eng land during the Easter festivities ships In more and rarer flowers than does our own country. The Omaha florists do not, however, con One themselves to potted plants. Year by year the sale of cut flowers has Increased until this year It Is twtimated that fully $12,0(10 will be spent during the Easter week for them. Tho most popular of the cut flowers Is the carnation and the orders for it this year far exceed the orders of any previous year. Whether this Is true because of the beauty and fragrance of the flower or be cause it was the favorite of the late be loved President McKlnley the florists are unable to say. Following the carnation is the rose, the tulip, daffodil, vloletB, lilies of the valley and the American Beauty rose, always dear to the lover of the beautiful. In New York annually there are Bbipped In from Bermuda loads of cut flowers for Easter use. These are not brought west owing to the great expense and the difficulty In keeping them fresh. Orders for Easter flowers are being re ceived and have been coming In for many days, so that even before the flowers bloom the florists know about what their sale will be. The out-of-town business this year is also very much largtr than In pre vious years anj will amount to fully one hlrd of the total business. To supply the great demand for flowers there are In Omaha fifteen florists and every one will do a thriving Easier business. Sursum Cord a Margaret li Sangster In Collier's Weekly. Out of tho gloom, and Into' the bloom, Out of the struggle, the cell, the prison, Into the wide sweet world and Its room, IJfe. everlasting from death hulh risen. Victor forever, 'tis life that reigns, Vanquished forever, 'tis death in chutns; l.lft up your hearts, on the upward way, Blng for your gladness, on ICuster Day. Winter Is past; It was fain tu cast The spell of its tempest, its chill, It strife, Over our path, but it could not last; Here Is the spring, with Its beauty rife. Flowers that toss their petals free, HI vers that flow from sea tu sea; Hlnls to carol, and wings to play Through the shadow and shine of Kutter lay. Ye who have heard the sorrowful word. Ye who have felt the blistering tear. Thrill to the depths by anguish stirred, Answer the angel who cometh near; Fur grief and sadness must flit and pass As a breath that fades on a disk of glass, Comfort from heaven ye cannot stay When It seeks your threshold on Easter Day. Out of the gioom springs tho fairest bloom; White Is the bud from the bulb's dark prison. Into the wide sweet world and Its room Steps the life that is newly risen. Victor forever o'er death In chains, Crowned forever 'tis life that reigns. I.lft up your hearts on the King's highway. King for your gladness, on Easter Iay. Spring House-Cleaning Scenes in Omaha Parks w . - .Mill , ,t i. - v . v - - -1 y -, ' i ' " !), " V r-. -j : - ' ' I GREAT WIN ROWS OF LEAVES ARE RAKED LP-Photo by a Staff Artist. AFTER BEING GATHERED THE LEAVES ARE CARRIED TO THE DRIVEWAY AND BURNED 1'boto by a Staff Artist.