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| ONTARIO IN THE HORTICULTURAL BUILDING - It was
a favorite route of visitors who passed from Midway Plaisance to the
Court of Honor to go through the west
curtains of the Horticultural Building,
and it may be well to explain the position of these curtains. The
architects of Horticultural Hall built three pavilions - a large
central one and two terminal ones. In order to inclose two courts,
one on each side of the central dome,
galleries ran from centre to ends on both the front and the rear
lines of the building. It was in the galleries or curtains of the
rear or western side that the rich and odorous horticultural displays
of the World's Columbian Exposition were made, while the floral
exhibition occupied the great rotunda and the eastern curtains. On
entering these halls of apples, pears, grapes, berries, oranges,
lemons, limes, peaches, plums, cherries, currants and canned goods,
not only did the fragrance of great masses of choice fruit delight
the senses, not only did the exceeding beauty of the scene vanquish
the eye, but a deep impresion of the bounty of nature and the wealth
of the land was made on the most casual observer. In these displays
the people of Canada, notwithstanding the disadvantages of their
latitude, offered an exhibition more creditable than the showings of
commonwealths better favored with population, wealth, and climate.
While not foremost, still the Canadian section, as portrayed in the
picture, was typical, hospitable, and memorable. No one who entered
these curtains will forget the aroma of grapes, oranges and peaches
that gladdened the precincts. |
