Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/267



Oregon State Flower. At a meeting of the Oregon Horticultural Society at Newberg in 1890, on the motion of George H. Himes, Dr. J. B. Pilkington and E. W. Hammond, both well known botanists, were appointed a committee to nominate a State Flower. That committee reported at the annual meeting of the Society at Hood River, July 1 8, 1892, suggesting several flowers, among them the Oregon Grape. Then, upon the motion of Mr. Himes, the Oregon Grape was adopted. Through the efforts of the State Federation of Woman's Clubs of Oregon this choice was confirmed by the Legislative Assembly of 1 899.

The Oregon Grape (Berberis Aquifolium) is one of the prettiest native shrubs of the Northwest. Oregon grape thrives in the mountains and in timbered districts along valley streams. Its rugged evergreen foliage resembles that of the holly, which adds cheer to the landscape particularly throughout the winter. In springtime it illumines the scenery with OREGON GEAPE dainty blossoms of yellow

from which pretty berries of deep blue and bright purple grow, maturing in summer and autumn. Of all the flowers in the State probably none is more common to the haunts of the American eagle than is the Oregon Grape. Its characteristics, habitat and popularity especially fit it to be the State Flower of Oregon.

Law Governing Water Supply for Electric Power.

In 1 899, a law was passed with reference to the appropriation of water for electric purposes. The act provided for the