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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 1920)
THE SUNDAY OREGOMAN, PORTLAND, JULY 18, 1920 U. S. HAS NO FLOWER BUT WH ITE HOUSE HAS: THE ORCHID The Next First Lady of the Land Have One of the Largest Collections in the Word of These JSd arv el bus, Blooms from A.11 Quarters of the Globe " -iwy WrVSy-fK1 ; gpc. wu wtrmmm mx&pmwtm. ?i m i. liff'T-T wi wmj wu jp 'yiw w ' l -x-rv ' srM V? f'iot I v, V fv--- .. f 'Ui 4 V. ' f- i O-eil 4 ' 1 Wv.vT x It-, :i Vtf 1 Mt-"'K -1 . :4;tixM ' l ys w - v lie - BY RENE BACH5L NEA.RLT always, when seen In public. Mrs. Wilson wears a bunch of orchids; and, indeed, it might be said that the fashionable favor now enjoyed by orchids is at least largely attributed to her fancy in this regard. Mrs. Wilson has been heard to say that one of her most enjoyable privi them are "cattleyas." because orchids of that tribe bear profusely in the wintertime, and their huge flowers are of a beauty no less than gorgeous. Many orchids present imitations so striking as to be positively weird. For instance, there is the variety called the "buttertly." which when in bloom looks as if big gaudy-winged Insects hovered over it. The "bee i !.. .v.. wvi.. vtii orchid, the "EDider" orchid and the is that of bln hl to have orchids "lizard'" orchid are equally remark unlimited. Thev are so exDenslve to aDie. Jne species Dears a nower in ordinary folks that most women can- th likeness of a grinning monkey; not ffn - v.... v.. vi I another sustrests the aspect of an president has one hue-a arreenhouse I opera dancer suspended by the head. devoted to these exotics, and its en- The "cradle of "Venus" is shaped tire output la at Mr. Wilson's dia- like an old-fashioned cradle with posaL The greenhouse in question la at the south end of what used to be the presidential farm, for in earlier days the "White House was in a way a farmhouse, and its farm embraced, in addition to the present spacious grounds, the so-called white lot and boatlike body and a covr at the head. Instead of a baby, the flower-cradls contains a little bird that resembles robin in miniature. Bird and cradle are, pale yellow. In Venezuela is found an orchid whose blossom has the shape of a doar. A Colombian variety bears a aiso the hill on which stands the huge flower that look like a duck. Washington monument. In fact, the and almost as big. hanging head farm extended to the Potomac's banks downward. and included a email sheet of fresh Most remarkable of all is the ex water at the foot of the monument tremely rare Holy Ghost orchid of hill, since drained off, which was Panama,' each one of whose blossoms known as Babcock'e lake. There was (borne on straight spikes) contains a an orchard where the war, state and perfect representation la miniature navy building now is located; the of a snow-white pigeon with out site of the treasury was the presi- spread wings. This wonder-plant dent's kitchen garden, and beneath grows in almost Impenetrable against such enemies. It provides comfortable quarters for a garrison of carnivorous ants. In return for thev accommodation, they are ready to rush forth and fight at the first alarm. An odd point about the coryanthes is that its flower la designed to at tract one particular kind of insect a nanasome metallic-green bee. From thebase of one of its bulbs a long flower-stem is developed, upon which hang a numbeV of exquisite cups, and into each cup a liquid drips from two "horns" in the upper part of the flower. Flying to the flower, as mt, candle, the bee falls inta the liquidJ - cue ooom or the cup and. wetting its wings, is unable to use them. Look into the cup and you will see perhaps a dozen of the insects ewim mlng round and round or vainly try ing to climb the slippery sides. If it is the second day after the opening of the flower, one or two bees may be found drowned. It was never the in tention of the orchid, however, that their lives should be sacrificed; but, on the contrary, that they should es- ylrr Z?s7 r SI ZT7- ' V V"C $J cape, and in tong so perform the office for which the whole contrivance is designed. Under the "flags" is a narrow open ing, through which the bee can push its way out. In doing so it ruptures the pollen case and carries off some of the pollen on its back. Crawling over the spike of blossoms, the bee conveys the pollen to other flowers of the same plant, thus fertilizing them. Orchid hunting is a business that engages the efforts of many courage ous adventurers, who explore the wildest and most remote parte of the world la the hope of finding rare or new varieties. Success in this kind of enterprise may bring large reward, inasmuch as a single plant may have a market value of thousands of dollars. On the other hand, the market price of a scarce and precious orchid may be reduced to next to nothing by the discAvery of a profusion of the same variety in some part of the world previously unvlsited. Only a few years ago a collector in India came by chance upon unlimited supplies of a species that was then bringing an extraordinary price in "London. He sent home secretly large consign ments of the plants, which were put on sale gradually, at flret only two or three and later a dozen or" so. until the market was broken and the erst while treasure became a drug. Perils, no matter bow frightful, are Ignored by the orchid-hunting en thusiast. Many of these adventurers in tropical wilds have been killed by savages, held as captives, eaten by cannibals, or bitten to death by venomous snakes; not to mention deaths attributable to fevers and other diseases. Not very long ago a New Tork man, traversing a Venezu elan forest on an exploring expedi tion, came upon a hut wherein were found three human skeletons and thousands of dead orchid plants. From between the ribs of one of the skeletons grew an orchid of rare beauty. The -three unfortunates Ba4 evidently been murdered. Rather interesting la the story of the "lost orchid" a previously un known variety received about 70 years ago from Assam by an apothe cary named Fairree, in Liverpool- It but a single plant, and by aa unhappy accident was destroyed. For many years hunters vainly sought an other specimen, in the hope of win ning a prize of 2000 (about $10,000) offered for it by the British Horticul tural society. It la eaid that 16 live were lost in the attempt. Then, at the period of the Russo-Japanese war. Captain I L. Seabrlght discovered the long-sought treasure at the top of an almost inacessible cliff in Tibet. He collected 179 plants of It. which he sold In London for $2750, receiving the reward in addition. The forests of the Philippine islands have a wealth of orchids, and many fine varieties, some of them rare, have been brought to this country or shipped to Europe; since we came into possession of the archipelago. The orchid market has its center in Lon don, where at intervals auctions of -the plants are held, attracting buyers, from all over the globe. For a long time it was supposed that orchids could not be subjected to the uses of the gardener In other words, that, owing to the peculiar manner of their growth, they, and more particularly the epiphyte varle ties, were not susceptible of cultiva tion. Experience, however, has shown tit iYinv can be brought to as high a perfection in the greenhouse as in their native woods. The Holy Ghost orchid and certain other kinds ob tained from regions not far from the equator demand a temperature and degree of moisture strongly sugges tive of the Turkish bath. In one way orchids are rather eco nomical, inasmuch as the cut blossoma retain their freshness for a surprising length of time. Ten dollars' worth of them will last longer than J50 worth of roses. the front portico of the White House was a dairy, to which water was orougnt by pipe from a spring in rranaim square, several blocks away. swamps, fever-haunted and infested by venomous snakes, and the natives of that region are firmly convinced that, when the flowers are fully de tuo viva war a her rran-I.j .. ... " w- I ,UU 11J " J . Ui.Uev wu puui at tne west end of the mansion, the main corridor open uirecuy into It; and this glass -oubo was supplemented by a smalle one, which later on was devoted orchids. to Great numbers of orchids are sent to market from Venezuela and Colom bia, where they are collected by Indians in the forests, usually by cutting down and stripping the trees it was during the Grant imini.. Lh... i- r-ixi. . linihat mlnister Plenipotentiary prized variety of "odontoglossum" or some other South that brings a fabulous price. .Next American country gave to the presi- in importance are various cattleyas. cent s wire a number of ri- Um.. ,i. iu., . plants. At that time orchiH 1 ..i.,. almost wholly unknown in the United Orchids for export must bs gath- oi.toa, ana wrs. Grant was delighted, ered in the hot season, wh.r. th.v hi i 7. y Inter""ting and go out of the flowering business v.wo. wonaerrully beautiful. for a while, drying up and counter diplomats from Other countrl. fllnr death. Tn thia Khan 1 r. were thereby inspired to offer gifts of fully packed, they stand a sea voyage ana. at Mrs. Grant', verv welL - . uaparimeni or ata - i. j - reailAKtAri A . . . I 'MWiljr ao- consuls at tropical void of orchids. In New Jersey. Dela v. uiiuuna tne worlrl tr. - - j . m : j , . . - ....v. i wa,to .nu jhu ui 1 1 i y i na. in th.v .",rr v, e8lrbl8 varieties wooded and moist places, the pink T -.w-.,. . or yeiiow iay supper. jsui " "" " was at leneth built n I ...vu. .i....ii ,. i . - - wr wi .,-... wu.j . ii warm one of the most remarkable nii.n. tv. , v.,...i.., - ... --w-. i je uuvw A 11 v a4W0-. ueauiuui U11CO included ln e3tl8tnee. which grow in luxuriance where a tropical - ana Climate develops ineir exquisite veie. precious kinds. Amateurs interested table forms on branches of living ... oi me sort came froral trees, on the decayed bark of fallen prlB ol ln world to see it. trunks or sometimes running over ''""'" ox orchids grow In mossv rocks. wm., tw. are epipnytes." grow- The leaves of the 'bromelias" form ing on trees and deriving their sus- cups that hold, water for weeks, and tenance rrom the air. their long root- in these little vases an aquatic plan lets waving m tne breeze. The White (from seeds dropped by birds) House gardener, however, has de- flourishes. veloped a method of treatment which The "coryanthes" (American tron serves equally well for both sorts. He les) throws out a network of inter wraps the roots in moss, which is kepti laced rootlets that form an oval, bag damp, and suspends the plants by 1 like mass, hanging from creeper or wires from the roof of the green- tree branch. Strike or shake the house. Under these conditions they plant, and out will swarm great num thrive admirably. bers of fierce-biting ants. The bag .In serried ranks they hang, hun is, in fact, an ants' nest. The plant dreds on hundreds of them, each ons is ' subject to attack by cockroaches In its moss jacket. Very many of and caterpillars, and, to protect itself w1 QUEEN BERENICE, BEAUTIFUL SISTER OF KING AGRIPP A OF INDIA, HATED BY ROMANS Three Times Married and Beloved by Emperor Titus, Her Hope of Sharing Greatest Throne ia World Shattered by Opposition to Her Rank, Nationality and Character - HEN the British troops entered Jerusalem one of the avenues they passed through was the so-called Cheesemakers' street, which s the oldest thoroughfare ln the orld. Besides being the oldest, it has the distinction also of probably being the only street which has not changed its character since it was opened thdusands of years ago. It still is the rendezvous of makers ana vendors of cheese, from whom it orig inally obtained its name. Not far from Cheesemakers street is the site of the palace or wueen Berenice, the beautiful sister of King Agrippa. Students of the. Bible will recall that Berenice was present with her brother at the hearing of St. Paul before Festus. on which occasion AeriDpa exclaimed. "Almost, Paul. thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Few even of the most assiduous Students of the Bible, however, know much mora than this about Agrippa and Berenice, although there are scarcely any other characters in his tory more interesting than these two. For Agrippa, who had received his training: principally at Rome, Athens and Alexandria, was a sort ofcom posite Charles II and Gentleman George, and in almost every respect. except that of cruelty. Berenice re sembled Cleopatra, the vampirs queen of Egypt. Berenice Daughter of Agrippa. Berenice was the. daughter of Agrippa I. king of Judea, and. like her brother, . she received a careful training in everything that consti tuted the humanities of that period She was accounted not only the, most I beautiful but the most accomplished princess ot tne age sne uvea in, a was sought in marriage by kings and princes from the far corners of the earth. Her heart, however, decided In fa vor of Marcus, the son of the Ala barch Alexander of Alexandria, and she became his wife. Alabarch sounds big, but meant really nothing more than the chief and most Influential man of the Jewish population at Alex-, andria. Berenice was a slip of a girl when she married Marcus and her love for him was of the Juliet kind; Bo much so that when he died within a very few years after their marriage. her grief was so poignant that fears were entertained that she might at tempt her own life. For some state reasons, bard to understand, her father shortly after ward compelled her to marry his own brother. King Herod, of Chalcis. She was barely 17 at the time. Either the memory of her first husband was still too green or else her new bus- band had qualities which repelled her; at any rate, she, did not seem to care very much for blm, and probably felt grateful to him when he died. Berenice was now in her twentieth year, and more radiantly beautiful than ever. Kings from the remotest regions came to Jerusalem to ask for her hand ln marriage and offered to renounce their own religions and em brace Judaism if only she would say "Yes." Third Husband Boon Tires, She decided in favor of Polemon, king or CUlcla. To us of the present time, Cllicia ij interesting mainly for the reason that its capital. Tarsus, was the birthplace of St. Paul, who refers to It as "no mean city;" and because the memorable first meeting between Cleopatra and Antony took place on the river Cydnus, in Clllcl Although the latter eTent was of but comparatively recent data when Berenice married Polemon, the ro mance of it was not sufficient ts in s vest the country Itself to keep her vivacious mind from roving. Whether Polemon did not prove as ideal a hus band as he had promised to be or whether her pleasure-loving soul craved more excitement than Tarsus was able to supply, is not recorded, but the fact remains that Berenice soon tired of her third husband's com pany, and bade him a lasting adieu. Whether Polemon ever took steps to recover his queen no extant record shows. Even If he did. they must have proved fruitless, for Berenice re mained under the care of her brother until the Jewish uprising against the Roman rule, which resulted in the siege of Jerusalem by Vespasian, who afterward became emperor. Blob Burns Palace, Agrippa and Berenice spoke Latin as fluently and well as Romans and had no end qf influential friends at Rome. So, seeing their own country men rent by" factions and on the point of starvation in Jerusalem, they went to the Roman camp, to implore Ves pasian to allow at least enough food to enter the city to feed the women and children. - When news of the failure of the embassy of Berenice and King Agxip pa was circulated in Jerusalem, the infuriated mob. hearing at the same time that what appeared to be an attachment had sprung up between the queen and Titus, wreaked its re venge by burning her palace. This aot of vandalism alienated the affections of both Berenice and Agrip pa from their countrymen and they made no further efforts to avert the fate impending over, the doomed city. When Vespasian went to Rome to be come emperor, on the death of Nero, A. X. 69, the operations against Jeru 6lem were entrusted to Titus, He performed the task so well that the city, which had resisted the siege three years, fell into the hands of the Romans shortly after Vespasian's de parture. Tttns TJnllWe Vespasian. Vespasian was a man of quiet, mod est tastes, and led a life more like that of a busy private citizen than of an emperor whose word meant life or death to anyone throughout half the world. Not so Titus. He was good-hearted and good-natured enough, but so given up to volup tuousness that people feared he would fall into the ways of Nero when he came to the throne. In one respect only was he constant in his affairs of the heart he never once faltered in his love for Berenice. In A. J. 76. he returned to Palestine and Tacitus, the historian, says, in the second book, second chapter, of his "Histories." that he was regarded to have been actuated by love for that queen to make the journey. Certain it is that when he returned to Rome, Berenice went with him as his fiance and her residence in Rome during the ensuing four years was one long drawn out series of splendid enter tainments, reminiscent of those given by Cleopatra and Marc Antony. ' The reason Titus did not make Berenice his wife was that the Roman populace opposed, the match. There were so many mutterings that even Vesparian dared not defy them, and he bade his son. whom he loved dearly, beware. Berenice Now Forcirai. When Titus came to the throne in A. D. 79. after the death of Vespasian, he still had hopes that he might over come the opposition of the Romans to Berenice. But they made it clear that his marriage to her would never be forgiven for three reasons: she was a queen and the title of royalty which had become abhorrent to the Romans from the time they banished the Tar- quins, nearly eight centuries before the time of Titus, was no less abhor rent to them now, although, the power of the emperor was incalculably greater than that of any king; sec ondly because she was a member of a subject nation, and thirdly because a great deal of scandal had attached to her and made her a by-word to . satirists as well as historians of the succeeding ages. Whether there was any truth ln the scandal stories may well be doubted, as it is not conceiv able that so discerning and honor able a man as Titus would have lor a moment entertained a wish to marry a person of so dissolute a character as Berenice has been pictured by her enemies. Xielding. nevertheless, to the popu lar clamor, both Titus and Berenice realized that their marriage would be fraught with danger to the young em peror., and so. reluctanlty enough, they decided to part company. Berenice re turned, heartbroken, to Palestine, and Titus, died two years later. And. although historians are silent ln re gard to the point, it is not unreason able to. suppose that repining for his Berenice may have contributed to the hastening of his end. What happened to Berenice after she left Rome Is not recorded in any work extant at the present day. Naval Warfare to Change. London Mall. An Invention by a French wireless engineer, M. Dunoyer, will completely change the character of naval war fare, if its claims are fulfilled. It consists of what he calls an "electrlo safety lock." The mechanism to di rect the course of a torpedo and se cure its explosion against an enemy warship can be worked not only by wireless .waves of the right length, but also by a proper sequence of Morse signals. Any error in the right sequence of dots and dashes would run the mechanism down to zero again and render the torpedo barm less. Each torpedo launched would have its own key sequence of dots and dashes, and so the enemy would be unafile to tamper with it. Strawberries Come Cheap. KEATINGS. Vancouver Island. B. C. The Co-operative Fruit Growers' association of this district is produc ing an average of 200 tons of straw berries per season, and marketing them with an overhead of but 5 cents.
