PRACTICAL HINTS IN FLORAL ADORNMENT. 373 



appropriate, unless iu the hand of a piece of statuary or that which approxi- 

 mates to it in life, and is slurringly denominated a wall ornament at our social 

 evening entertainments. After all, the most delicate arrangement of floral 

 designs employed for dining room decorations, none are equal to a nicely grown 

 plant in full bloom. The effect is just enchanting, and now that extension 

 tables are so commonly in use, a pot plant can very easily be arranged with the 

 unsightly part beneath the cover while the table above will be ornate with the 

 delicate foliage, pleasing habit and brilliant floral display of the well selected 

 plant. I need not detail the way to arrange for this ; any lady can overcome all 

 the difficulties of preparation and secure this inimitable style of table decora- 

 tion. 



In the planning of flower beds out of doors we find the same rules of taste 

 modified somewhat to accord with external associations governing their arrange- 

 ment. The three features to be kept in view are height and habit of plants, 

 color and duration of flowers and season of bloom. Further, it is well to remem- 

 ber that beauty is dej^reciated by every sacrifice of utility, interest or unity of 

 design. 



Many persons think to make a natural rather than an artificial appearing 

 garden by having every thing mixed. This is a manifest error. We look for 

 neatness and some thing of formality in the flower borders. If Ave can secure 

 this end by covering to some extent the means employed, so much the better. 

 In dress we look for subdued shades and strive to secure such combhiations that 

 one color will moderate its neighbor, but in the flower garden the reverse is true. 

 Colors and forms should be so employed as to strengthen and heighten one 

 another. In a plantation of bedding plants the form of bed or border first 

 requires attention. Kound, elliptical, oval or oblong beds are most largely 

 made, but I think oftentimes there is an added beauty in having the beds so 

 cut as to produce miniature vistas among the plants. When borders are cut in 

 sod upon the sides of a drive or walk, a good balance should be maintained 

 without the display of an attempt to be symmetrical. The effect in large meas- 

 ure depends upon proper arrangements of tones and hues of color. In a circu- 

 lar bed having a central plant with five surrounding it, the following are simple, 

 effective styles : 



1. White center, supported by scarlet, blue, orange, rose and purple. 



2. Yellow center, supported by purple, pink, blue, white and red. 



In beds where zones of colors are employed, if cut in sod, always close with a 

 warm color next to the green turf ; and if upon gravel, let the outer circle be 

 of a cold hue. The plan of massing colors in borders is very popular and tasty ; 

 and in this connection allow me to say there is no contrast as effective as that 

 made by ]flacing a mass of perennial phlox so that it shall hare a background 

 of dark evergreen foliage. 



A word more about form. In criticising flower beds for the past two seasons, 

 — and very many came under my observation, — I found there was altogether 

 too little attention given to the habit of the plants. No matter if the arrange- 

 ment of the colors be unexceptionable, a straggling habit of two or three plants 

 entirely destroys the good effect of the whole. Plants should be well under 

 control, and never more than six inches in height at their maximum in a bed 

 eighteen inches wide, nor increase more than six inches for every added foot in 

 breadth. There should always be an easy transition from one zone to another, 

 and thus secure a pleasing outline. If you employ a plant of drooping habit 

 for the C3nter, strive to make the bed a unit in this respect and above all things 



