The fame of the Forest city has spread to the furthermost parts of the earth. The products of your industry and genius find greedy purchasers among all the leading nations of the earth. Your oil products light the globe and lubricate her bearings. One of your citizens informed me that the pivot on which the world turns is greased with Cleveland Standard Oil.

Where is excelled your grand lake front, into which flow the placid, clear, crystal waters of Cuyahoga river, ever laden with the multitudinous perfumes of the Standard Oil works and kindred industries.

In claims for antiquity florists antedate all competitors. In fact we can prove by history that goes back to creation itself that we were in at the beginning of human existence. In that story we read that God created man in his own image and placed him in a garden.

Praises to the florist's work have been sung from creation's earliest morn by insects, birds and bards, and as long as the world stands his labors will be in demand. At the crack of doom the florist will be on hand to twine a garland of forgetmenots around Gabriel's trumpet and after decorating Peter's pearly gates with emblems of

immortality, we trust he will enter into the reward of those who love their fellow men and have helped to make life worth living.

The president of the society, William Scott, of Buffalo, next delivered his annual address. He recommended that young men, entering the business of florists, study geology, botany and chemistry, and read books on floriculture. He hoped the society would soon be incorporated under the national charter. He said that florists should always be able to give instruction to their customers. He recommended a close affiliation with all the auxiliary societies in the various States. Mr. Scott paid a compliment to the wide and beautiful streets of Cleveland and to other attractive features of the Forest City. The various award committees were appointed, and the sessions then adjourned.

The formal opening of the floral exposition at the Central Armory occurred at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 18th. It marked the commencement of a series of orchestral concerts which were continued each

afternoon and evening thereafter. Speeches were made by Mayor McKisson, President Cowles, of the Chamber of Commerce, DirectorGeneral Day, and by President Graham, of the Cleveland Society.

Late in the afternoon of the first day the delegates, accompanied by their wives, set out for a trolley ride. There were five hundred in the party for which a specially chartered train of eight cars was provided. The cars were gorgeously decorated with flowers and were freely admired as they passed through the streets. The destination was Woodcliff, the home of Mr. J. M. Gasser, on Lake avenue, where the president's reception was held. The guests, about five hundred in all, were cordially received by Mr. and Mrs. Gasser on their lawn — a floral park of great beauty-and the company was later photographed. Refreshments were served under a canopy on the lake front, and after this came dancing and other amusements. Fairy lamps and Japanese lanterns were hung over the grounds, making the effect after nightfall very pretty.

A public meeting at which prominent horticulturalists delivered addresses on the general subject of plant culture, was held in Army and Navy Hall on Wednesday evening, August 19th. The speakers and their subjects were as follows: Robert Craig, Philadelphia, "Foliage Plants for Home Adornment; Edwin' Lonsdale, Philadelphia, "Flowering Plants for Windows;" E. G. Hill, Richmond, Ind., "Roses for Outdoors; Professor J. F. Cowell, Buffalo, Cannas; " J. C. Vaughan, Chicago, Pansies From Seed; G. P. Rawson, Elmyra, How Not to Do It; J. M. Jordan, St. Louis, "The Care of Cut Flowers in the Home.

Coincident with the convention of the Society of American Florists were held the annual sessions of the American Carnation Society, the Chrysanthemum Society, and the Florists' Hall Association.

On the closing day a carriage drive, or floral parade, was tendered the visitors by the Cleveland Society, the route traversed being Euclid avenue, Wade Park, the Boulevard and Gordon Park. Between forty

and fifty vehicles decorated with gladiolas, carnations, hydrangeas and evergreen, were occupied by members of the party. On the return trip

the delegates amused themselves by throwing flowers to crowds of street urchins who thronged about the carriages and engaged in vigorous scrambles for each handsome prize.

CHAPTER XV.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS ENCAMPMENT.

AUGUST 22-29.

Near the middle of August a tented village similar to that on the west side of the river rapidly took form in the vacant pasture fields on Payne avenue east of Hazard street. A little later in the month this village became the home of 8,000 Knights, representing 50,000 members of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias of the World, an army almost twice as large as the standing army of the United States. Camp Perry-Payne, as it was called, at once became the Mecca of thousands of citizens and Centennial visitors. The

location was an ideal one, easy of access and admirably adapted for camp life. Upwards of 2,000 tents were erected, covering about thirty acres of territory on either side of the street.

"Pythian Week" was observed from August 22d to August 29th, the city being favored during that period with the biennial encampment of the Uniform Rank, and the convention of the Supreme Lodge of the order. These important assemblies were first awarded to Minneapolis, but owing to unfavorable transportation rates were transferred to Cleveland. The task of preparing for them, on account of the lateness of the transfer, was a heavy one, but the local committee proved fully equal to it, taking hold with commendable vigor. Headquarters were established by the committee in the Arcade, and in a very short time the sum of $16,700 was raised to defray the expenses. Of this amount the subordinate lodges contributed $3,335 and the Centennial Commission $5,000, the remainder being secured by individual subscriptions and the sale of privileges at the camp grounds.

The camp was laid out on the plan of a modern town with streets, dining-halls, newspaper offices, telegraph and telephone offices, a postoffice, and other facilities and conveniences rendering it almost independent of the city except for supplies. It was provided with electric lights and favored with an abundance of water from the city mains. The Ohio Brigade occupied 734 tents, while Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and other States com

21st.

prising the great Pythian sisterhood, with 500,000 adherents, were well represented. Cleveland, the banner Pythian city of the Union, established headquarters near the entrance to the camp, where a hearty welcome was extended to all. The divisions began to arrive on the They were met at the depots by details of the Second Regiment, composed mostly of Cleveland men, with bands of music, and were escorted to the camp grounds. Major-General James R. Carnahan, head of the Uniform Rank in the United States, and BrigadierGeneral J. C. Howe, of the Ohio Brigade, were among the early arrivals. Others came rapidly, and on the evening of August 23d the city was in full possession of the plumed host. This was Sunday, and throughout the day the camp was thronged with visitors, the total number for the day being estimated at 50,000. Late in the afternoon a dress parade was given, and in the evening special services were conducted by Rev. E. G. Sanderson, Chaplain-in-Chief of the order, at Epworth Memorial Church. Strict discipline was enforced daily at the camp, the following routine being observed: Reveille, 6 A. M.; breakfast, 7 A. M.; dinner, 12 A. M. ; regimental parade, 5 P. M.; supper, 6 P. M.; retreat, 6:30 P. M.; to quarters, 10:30 P. M.

At 4 o'clock on the afternoon of August 24th the camp was dedicated with impressive ceremonies. Shortly before that hour a battalion of the Second Ohio Regiment marched to the City Hall and accompanied Mayor McKisson and members of the Centennial Commission to the parade grounds, where the exercises were held. The officers and members of the various staffs, resplendent in their uniforms, assembled at the headquarters of the major-general and proceeded in a body to the grounds. Sir Knights, to the number of several thousand, followed in divisions and formed an open square around the flag-staff. A large American flag and a streamer bearing the words, "Camp Perry-Payne," were then unfurled amid lusty cheers, and the rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by the band. Chaplain Sanderson offered prayer, at the conclusion of which Chairman Dunn took charge of the programme. In a few remarks he presented Director-General Day, who spoke on behalf of the Centennial Commission. Mr. Day attributed great credit to the Committee of Arrangements for the success of the encampment. He said:

The attitude of the Centennial Commission towards the Knights of Pythias is one of cordial appreciation and hearty welcome, but back of that we have a feeling of respect and regard for the Knights of Pythias, because there are few orders or great bodies of men who would have inspired us to such enthusiasm as did the prospect of having the Knights of Pythias encamped in our city during the Centennial year of Cleveland. The heaven's arch is wide, but it is no wider than our welcome for you. In the name of the Centennial Commission of Cleveland I bid you welcome-a welcome as deep as Cleveland can give. We feel assured that your part in the Centennial celebration will go down in history as one of the most beautiful and appropriate events of the year.

Mayor McKisson, himself a member of the order, then welcomed the Knights on behalf of the city, and formally christened the camp. In the course of his address he said:

It is appropriate that this camp should be christened Perry-Payne, and that it should be dedicated on this day. The opening of your pleasant encampment, though not generally known, is almost coincident with the birthday anniversary of Perry, the gallant commodore, whose battle on Lake Erie stands forth illustrious in our naval

history. Cleveland is soon to engage in a fitting celebration of that notable and significant victory. The family name of Payne has always been closely identified with that of Perry. Through the kindness of Mr. Payne, these grounds were obtained, and it is but natural that his name should be associated with the camp.

One of the chief characteristics of your order is patriotism and devotion to country. This element is strongly exemplified in the uniform rank, where is to be found an army of men ever ready to assist in any righteous cause, and ever willing to co-operate in the maintenance of peace and good government. I like the military feature of the order. Its discipline and drill are conducive to sturdy manhood, to health, and above all to that regard for order and right which should possess the heart of every true citiOne of the best means of fostering this life is the encampment, where opportunities are afforded, nowhere else to be found. I wish to congratulate your committee upon the very successful outcome of their efforts to make this camp a success. ginning late, in comparison with other cities which have entertained the encampment, they have labored steadily and hard to have everything in readiness when the opening day arrived. General Carnahan, I notice, now says that this is the most complete camp he ever saw, and General Carnahan has seen quite a few.

zen.

Be

This will be a gala week for Cleveland. This city is the Pythian star in Ohio. A large number of her citizens know that you come not as strangers to her gates, but as brothers, bound by the strongest ties and tried in the crucible and exacting lines of friendship, charity, and benevolence. Then should we not all feel proud and rejoice in the dedication of this camp because of the beauty and sublimity of the principles taught and carried out in your order? Pythian knighthood means much to the true citizen. Its past has been glorious; its future, I believe, is assured. On behalf of the great order of Pythian Brotherhood, on behalf of the city of Cleveland, and on behalf of the brother Knights of this city, I present this beautiful camp, and christen it Perry-Payne, and dedicate it on this day to you all in Pythian fellowship and patriotism.

In receiving the camp, Brigadier-General Howe said:

I accept this camp, Mayor McKisson, on behalf of the loyal Sir Knights of Ohio, knowing full well their appreciation, and feeling positive that the results of this encampment will be beneficial to all those who participate, both as members of the order of the Knights of Pythias, and as good citizens of our commonwealth.

To the second regiment of the uniform rank, located in this beautiful city, a great share of the splendid success which we believe will attend this encampment belongs. No less interested has been the great body of the subordinate lodges of the order of this city, of whom there are more loyal, devoted, enthusiastic, and earnest Knights than in any city of our beloved country, numbering as they do, almost, if not quite, five thousand men.

To you, Supreme Chancellor Richie, it is my duty to formally tender this great Pythian home, this camp Perry-Payne, to you as commander-in-chief of the order universal. In your hands and under your guidance nothing but success will attend it, and the officers and Sir Knights of the Ohio brigade know that you can in words most expressive make each Sir Knight in this camp feel perfectly at home, knowing that the welcome extended is from the heart, and is in fact the welcome extended of one Sir Knight to that of another.

General Carnahan, the major-general commanding the uniform rank, every officer and Sir Knight of this great body is personally acquainted with, and every order issued from this source I know will be fully and carefully carried out in its full meaning and

intent.

A stirring speech was delivered by Supreme Chancellor Richie, to whom the camp was presented by General Howe, and who in turn handed it over to General Carnahan. Mr. Richie playfully addressed his fellow Knights as "boys," following this with the following statement:

I said "boys," because I am one of you, and am with you in everything that tends to uplift mankind. I am proud of the fact that I am one of the boys, because there I find men with hearts and souls of honor. It is for just such men that this beautiful camp has been arranged, and as I look over it and see its wide pastures and green sward I am proud of the fact that the boys have found that their lines are cast in pleasant places. I deem it an especial honor to have this great gift in my possession, and as gifts become the absolute property of the donee, so camp Perry-Payne is mine to do with it as I please. I am proud as a Pythian to receive it; I am proud as an Ohioan