i6io 



The Cornell Reading Courses 



Fig. II. — For many floivers nothing is better than plain glass bowls or vases, which may 

 be obtained in a great variety of shapes at a department store, a, Water-color painting 

 cup. b, Olive bottle, c, Oil bottle, d, Square glass dish, e, Straw-covered bottle. 

 f, Glass flower holder, g, Glassware 



Flowers keep fresh longer if the leaves below the water are removed, 

 for the decaying vegetable matter poisons the water. If glass vases are 

 used, it would not, of course, be desirable to strip the stems of the foliage, 

 but the water should be changed very frequently. The ends of the stems 

 should not rest on the bottom of the container. With a large surface of 

 water exposed to the air flowers will remain fresh longer than when the 

 surface is small and confined. 



SELECTION OF THE VASE OR THE RECEPTACLE 



Simplicity and fitness are guide words to use in the selection of a recep- 

 tacle for any decorative arrangement of flowers, and every home maker, 

 teacher, and church society should have a large variety. Celia Thaxter, 



Fig. 12. — A collection of pottery in good neutral coloring obtainable in the housekeepers' 



section of a department store 



