460 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



colors would harmonize; that is, I think we should find flowers in a state of 

 nature growing near each other and blooming at the same time, that would 

 combine harmoniously, so that we might be sure that there would be no con- 

 flicting of colors, without studying the matter at all. This is my theory, and 

 so far as I am able to judge from what I have seen of nature, I think it is a 

 correct one. Take, for example, the golden rod and the wild asters, which 

 bloom at the same time ; these, with the aid of wild grasses and ferns, form 

 a beautiful combination. With this rule to follow, we could scarcely make a 

 mistake in the matter of coloring, though we might in the matter of mass- 

 ing; while in selecting flowers from our gardens, where flowers from almost 

 every clime grow, we have not only to guard against mistakes in massing, 

 but in coloring also. 



If we are not sure what colors look well together, it is best to be on the 

 safe side and choose but one, with white and green to offset it. Pink and 

 lilac, or the royal purple of pansies, harmonize. A little yellow is pretty 

 and effective with most combinations, but should be used sparingly. The 

 prettiest thing I know of in yellow is the golden rod and yellow honeysuckle 

 for vases, and rosebuds for round pieces. 



We have not only to study color and massing, but form as well. A flower 

 that is appropriate to one form of flower-piece we shall find utterly unfit for 

 another. Sprays and feathery flowers are prettiest for tall flower-pieces, 

 with one or two large flowers ; while many flowers are suitable only for round 

 or low pieces. Many can be used only for low pieces unless sticks are tied 

 to them for stems, and who admires that? 



A Thought from Gladstone. — Mr. Gladstone, late Prime Minister of 

 the British Empire, said recently at a village flower show : " These quiet vil- 

 lage societies do an enormous amount of good. Look at them which way 

 you will, they do good. They are an incentive to virtuous industry. You 

 cannot increase too much the quantity of food grown in this country, where 

 the number of mouths to eat it is continually increasing. I hope we shall 

 never rest until every cottage in this country has a garden. It is an ex- 

 tremely profitable undertaking. It calls for skill and labor, but the labor is 

 interesting; everyone heartily enjoys seeing the growth of what has been 

 planted, and the work benefits both mind and body, besides being useful to 

 the community. Let nobody despise the cultivation of flowers. There is 

 nothing more touching than to see how human nature clings to beauty in its 

 purest and most delightful form. All these are excellent pursuits." 



A Bit of Flower Sentiment. — The Western Bural furnishes us this 

 pleasant thought : In grief and joy, when language is meaningless to our 

 hearts, we turn to the sweet flowers of the garden, the eloquent messengers 

 of heaven, whose perfumes are borrowed from the breath of angels, and 

 whose radiant glory is a reflection of the gentleness of love divine. At the 

 bridal altar their silent laughter is the loveliest melody that breaks upon the 

 scene; and every petal and every leaf and divinely penciled line or shade of 

 beauty is an appeal for purity, nobilit}^ and tenderness. In the shadow of 

 death and amidst the tears of grief that burn deep furrows on the clouded 

 cheek, the rose spreads its gentle, softening, soothing smile as a messenger 

 of consolation from the sweetest purity and gentleness that exists in the 

 wide range of beautiful Nature. God is in the sparking gems of the eve- 



