THE SECKETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 425 



diaiiiotor would aj^pcar to bo quite largo enough, but often the tyrant Fashion 

 demands a much larger size. 



When we regard tiie arrangement of the flowers, while avoiding the formal 

 appearance of regular circles, two methods of equal excellence may be pursued. 

 Tlic lirst of these consists in blending together a numl)er of flowers, with a due 

 proportion of tlicir buds and foliage, whose forms and colors best tend to produce 

 a pleasing whole. The second consists in arranging side by side masses of 

 color, each mass containing three or more flowers of the same kind, and these 

 masses are interspersed with tlie fronds of ferns or other suitable foliage. 



By this metliod a much bolder elfect is secured, while too much formality is 

 avoided. Although bouquets for the hand undoubtedly demand skill on the 

 part of the maker, yet they rank second in importance to the bouquet for the 

 vase, flower-table, or basket. In an arrangement of flowers for tliis purpose, 

 due regard must be paid to the form of the vessel to be decorated, as well as the 

 place it is to occupy when the arrangement is completed. A large, tall vase for 

 a center table should contain larger flowers and a bolder mass of color than one 

 which is to occupy a position of less importance ; but in using strong colors, all 

 tendency to glare or heaviness must be particularly guarded against. Fre- 

 quently, after dressing a vase, it is found desirable to remove a flower or two 

 at parts which have become so crowded as to appear heavy ; for in the arrang- 

 ing of flowers in vases, water only can be used, and as the flowers have no sup- 

 port for their stems, it is at times a ditticult matter to arrange them satisfac- 

 torilv. • F. 11. Elliott. 



KNACK IX ARRANGING FLOWERS. 



A Avriter in St. Nicholas, probably having seen, as most of us have, the won- 

 derful lack of taste generally exhibited in the arrangement of bouquets, gives 

 us the following useful hints on the subject : 



Many persons who are lucky enough to have flowers do not at all know how 

 to arrange them so as to produce the best effect, while others seem born with a 

 knack for doing such things in just the right way. Knack cannot be taught, 

 but there are a few rules and principles on the subject so simple that even a 

 child can understand and follow them, and if you will keep them in mind when 

 you have flowers to arrange, I think you will find them helpful. Just as flow- 

 ers are the most beautiful decoration which any house can liave, so the proper 

 management of them is one of the gracefulest of arts, and everything which 

 makes home prettier and more attractive is worth study and pains, so I will tell 

 you what these rules are in the hope that you will apply them. 



1. The color of the vase to be used is of importance. Gaudy reds and blues 

 should never be chosen, for they conflict with the delicate hues of the flowers. 

 Bronze or black vases, dark green, pure white, or silver, always produce a good 

 effect, and so does a straw basket, while clear glass, which shows the graceful 

 clasping of the stems, is perhaps prettiest of all. 



2. The shape of the vase is also to be thought of. For the middle of a din- 

 ner-table, a round bowl is always appropriate, or a tall vase with a saucer- 

 shaped base. Or, if the center of the table is otherwise occupied, a large conch 

 shell, or a shell-shaped dish, may be swung from the chandelier above, and 



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