The Decorative Use of Flowers 



1605 



table, enliven the living room, give welcome to the guest, or bear a message 

 of sympathy or congratulation to other households. A carefiil study of 

 any good seed catalogue will supply a list suited to the needs of all homes. 

 Even so limited a variety as small beds of lilies of the valley, pansies, and 

 nasturtiums, with a row of sweet peas, should furnish a succession of 

 flowers throughout the season. All of these flow^ers are grateful for being 

 picked, are delicate in odor, have great variety in color and form, and 

 would add to ever}^ meal a touch that would lift it from the plane of mere 

 physical necessity to one where the spirit also is refreshed. In some 



Fig. 10. — It is a pity to despoil the roadsides of flowers, sprays of berries, and other groivths 



flower-loving cities, such as Washington, Baltimore, IndianajDolis, and the 

 cities of California, the markets afford an opportunity to buy flowers as 

 well as foods. 



" If I had two loaves of bread," 



Mohammed said, 

 " I would sell one that I might buy 

 Sweet hyacinths to satisfy 

 My hungry soul." 



By planting one new shrub or one or two perennials each year a person 

 would, ahnost before he is aware of it, have a group of garden materials 

 that would never be without blossoms. Such a planting would furnish 



