The Decorative Use of Flowers 1609 



Fields and woods are replete with decorative material of a siifficiently 

 large and generous gro^^i;h to be smtable for the church. Foliage is often 

 more effective than flowers. The evergreens are all good. Small spruces 

 and cedars, potted from the pastures and standing straight as Christmas 

 candles and sjTTimetrical as bay trees, are excellent decoration. Masses 

 of oak leaves, laurel, or evergreen are in general more appropriate than 

 palms for the northern latitude. Nor need one be confined to green in 

 the use of foliage. One of the most effective decorations in a gray and 

 ivory, red-carpeted, colonial chiirch, was produced by the use of sprays 

 of grapevine arranged in jardinieres and trailed along the choir rail so 

 that the soft whitish undersides of the leaves appeared like so many 

 blossoms. The new gro\\i;h of the oak and the maple on burnt-over or 

 pasture lands is as exquisite in color as are flowers. One sumac bush, 

 with its \dgorous leaves and upright cones of red standing before the 

 pulpit, should inspire shepherd and flock alike to lift up their hearts in 

 thanksgiving to Him ^^•ho made all things beautiful in their season. 



There are always organizations, the Christian Endeavor, the Priscilla, the 

 Girls' Friendly, and the women's societies, that woiild tmdertake to make 

 the church beautiful ever}^ Sunday if onh' there could be found a leader 

 to organize the work. In one countr\- town a women's club arranged 

 to furnish the flowers from both garden and field according to the list 

 given at the end of this lesson. 



If every one but realized the decorative resources supplied by the native 

 trees and shrubs, which grow all about, school, church, or grange hall 

 would never be disfigured by silly festoons of brilliantl}' colored paper 

 and bimting — an artificial attempt at decoration excusable onh- in cities 

 where natural materials are not available. 



In order that the flowers may keep, as well as to protect the plants, 

 flowers should be cut, not picked nor " piilled," preferably in the morning 

 or the evening. When cut they should be plunged as soon as possible into 

 deep water and allowed to stand in a cool room or a cellar for two or 

 three hours before they are arranged. If some time elapses before they 

 are arranged, it is better to snip the ends of the stems again. They should 

 be placed so that the blossoms are supported, especially if they are fragile; 

 often long-stemmed blossoms will keep much longer if " rested " in this 

 way during the night. 



Flowers stay fresh much longer if the temperature in which they are 

 grown can be maintained. Sometimes such flowers as heliotrope and 

 dahlias will keep much longer if the stems are thrust into boiling water or 

 into a direct flame for a moment, and immediately after plunged into 

 cold water. Green branches cut in winter should be placed in ice 

 water. 



