Newspapers / The New Bern Mirror … / July 21, 1967, edition 1 / Page 1
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Gxactty thirty years ago,New Bern’s mother city (Bern,Swit zerland) decided that something must be done to brighten up the ancient town. Municipal authorities, the time honored “street guilds’’ and private citizens put their heads to gether. They founded an association called “For Bern.’’ The group’s aim was to bring more business to the Swiss Capital, attract foreign visitors, and en courage occupants of flats and offices to bring a gay note to the street scene by erecting window boxes of showy flowers. Prizes are offered annually for the finest floral displays. Since it would entail too much work and expense if all the districts in the town were to participate at the same time, the suburbs take it in turn to Join In the competition. In autumn, prizes are a- warded for the displays that are most attractive and have lasted the longest. The prizes are tasteful ceramics, other useful articles, and art prints. These have always proven popular with the recipients,and spurred them on to even greater effort the following year. From 800 to 1,000 awards are given each year- In 1957, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program, nearly 2,000 prizes were presented to resi dents of the town and its suburbs. Judging the displays is the job of a committee of 40 to 50 members under the Head Gar dener of the city. This must be a gigantic task, but every body pitches in to get the Job done with the least possible con fusion. “But why are all the flowers red?’’ visitors are always asking. It is a natural ques tion. The reason is that no other color is so effective as geranium red against the grey ish green of the sandstone facades in Bern’s old streets. Besides, being a semi- succulent plant, thegeranlumls particularly desirable for a dry position like the town’s window sills. Streets of the older part of Bern run more or less east to west. This means that some house fronts face south and receive the full heat of the sun. That can be bad, even for geraniums,unless they are planted In boxes. How does, the planting and care of geraniums in Bern com pare with the methods used by you New Bern flower growers? Here Is that Information, sent directly to The Mirror by of ficials of our mother city. In Bern, we are told, the best time for propagating geraniums Is from July to August. They put the cuttings Into sandy soil In sln^e pots, then transplant them after New Year’s Day in well fertilized geranium soil. According to residents of the Swiss Capital, geraniums can be planted outside at the be ginning of May. There Is suf ficient room for two or three In a box 20 inches long, and for three or four In a box 28 Inches long. Boxes of Eternlt (asbestos cement) are re commended by. the Bernese as the most economical available. In view of the millions of geraniums that give the Swiss Capital a dazzling cloak of crimson splendor. It Is easy (Continued on page 8) Craven-Paffliioo-Cutewt ThelmrKRN I PUBLISHID WIIKLY IN TNI WAIIT OP VOLUME 10 NEW BERN, N, C, FRIDAY, JULY 21, IW7 NUMBER 17 PRO PROSPECT—Charlie Davis, pictured here dur ing his days of stardom for the New Bern High School Bears, may not make the grade with the Washington Redskins, but he won’t be easily disposed of by oth ^ut he won’t be easily disposed of by other Carlisle. Peni ive discouraged gridders less stout hearted, Davis made a valuable aspirants in training sessions'at Carlisle. Pennsyl vania. Despite injuries that would have discouraged contribution to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels during his college career. While carrying a Ron’s share of the load at New Bern High, the power fully built athlete made All-North Eastern, was picked for the annual East-West game, and given honorable mention in the High School All-American selections. Scouted by the Redskins, he showed enough promise to merit a closer look in this year’s pre-season work outs. As they say, there isn’t a nicer guy in spoiis than CharUe Daids. We wbh him well. I
The New Bern Mirror (New Bern, N.C.)
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July 21, 1967, edition 1
1
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