The Weekly Florists' Review. 



707 



Exhibitions. 

 There were quite a few prominent flor- 

 ists who traveled long distances to visit 

 the New York show for the purpose of 

 seeing what was worth emulating, but 

 it was a case of sad disappointment to 

 all. The retailers left the show severely 

 alone. The principal reason the New 

 York retailers didn't compete at the 

 show, as given in personal interviews, 

 is that the system of judging here is 

 such as to be ignored by every man 

 whose ability is worth considering. In 

 several instances at the recent show the 

 three judges had no less than twenty 

 volunteer judges assisting them; even 

 exhibitors "touched up" and arranged 

 their exhibits whilst judges were passing 

 on them. There may not have been any- 

 thing amiss in the awards made, but 

 the system is faulty. 



We note in the classes for table deco- 

 rations at the Chicago show a set price 

 is put upon the materials to be used. 

 That's very fine in theory but scarcely 

 practicable. There is no one able to put 

 a set price on this kind of work, because 

 in every city there is a vast difference 

 in price. How can a Bowery florist ex- 

 pect to get Broadway prices? And 

 doesn't the same thing apply to all other 

 cities ? The only way to test ability and 

 one that should be adopted at all shows, 

 is to provide or confine all to the same 

 amount or class of material and judge 

 the arrangement. 



In this week's issue you will notice 

 illustrations of the work done at the 

 New York show. There was only one 

 table shown. The flowers were arranged 

 just a little too high, there were too 

 many cut ferns on the table, and the 

 fern plants were too abrupt. AH this is 

 «asy to avoid. You should always sit 

 •down and size up your decorations and 

 be able to see over them or under them. 

 The table was illuminated by electricity. 

 This manner of lighting up tables at the 

 present time is confined to club or stag 

 parties; it is not yet adopted in first 

 class private houses. We only mention 

 this in answer to inquiries. You are at 

 liberty to choose your own method at 

 exhibitions, but every dinner table should 

 be illuminated. 



There were four bridal bouquets shown 

 — all on the shower style. You will no- 

 tice an abundance of ribbons on the 

 prize winner. One had broad cream 

 satin and narrow gauze, which makes a 

 much lighter effect, another had white 

 satin and same in narrow ribbon; it 

 was too dense and would have hidden any 

 dress. This ribbon business is sadly 

 overdone. You need not consider this as 

 the prevailing style of New York bridal 

 bouquets. We have others more ideal 

 on which ribbons play a very subordi- 

 nate part. In fact if you want to do 

 the right thing now, tie your bouquet 

 with lace to match or harmonize with 

 that on the bride's dress. Thorley is in- 

 troducing chiffon lace over taffeta rib- 

 bon on fine work. He had some in his 

 window last week embellishing chrysan- 

 themums. 



basket of orchids shown would 

 have been nigh an impossibility twelve 

 or fifteen years ago. The handle was 

 twisted with tissue paper, then bound 

 in mauve ribbon. The sprays on the 

 handle are Oncidium varicosum, the rest 

 is Cattleya labiata and A. Farleyense. 

 All the orchids were stemmed on sticks 

 with wet moss; glass tubes might have 

 been used to better advantage inasmuch 

 as the basket had to stay on exhibition 

 several days. 



Notes. 



Some ver}' pretty window decorations 



are occasionally seen these days. In one 



more than twenty-four bours and you 

 can stick a few in almost anything. 

 There are of course occasions where strict 

 orders are given not to use these flowers, 

 but the small retailer can use an im- 

 mense quantity if there be any trade 

 at all. 



We know hundreds of cases where 

 small growers retail their stock and often 

 these men and women worry themselves 

 over their inability to make things up 

 equal to city styles. They will go to the 

 village or travel to the city for ribbon, 

 or to buy things inferior to what they 

 have under their nose at home. You 

 need never bother yourself about rib- 

 bons if you have plenty of greens. When 

 you are tying a flat bunch of chrysan- 

 themums select the stiff ones for the end 

 and sides. We stick a No. 19 wire in 

 the heads of the weakest. The major- 

 ity of the flowers in a flat bunch should 

 face up; their beauty is lost if you 

 can only see their side. The heart of 

 the floAver is its center of beauty. A 

 few clean sprays of ivy, asparagus or 

 highly colored delicate autumn foliage 

 is best to use, and never let the bulky 



First Prize Basket of Orchids at the New York Show. 



particular case immense shower eft"ects 

 with Oncidium varicosiun over white 

 sash ribbon was most attractive. 



Large chrysanthemums are the flow- 

 ers most generally used and we are glad 

 to note there is more attention, at least 

 more regard paii to tender nerves. But 

 wh.it a blessing chrysanthemums are any- 

 how. We must not forget they are the 

 poor retailer's savior on many an occa- 

 sion, for whilst they are in season you 

 have always something to fall back on, 

 something that will keep in your store 



string twisted stems be seen. Finish the 

 end of your bunch with a few choice 

 flowers and vines. 



A very beautiful casket cover was re- 

 cently made by Stumpp on Fifth Avenue; 

 Friink Sehlosskaur was the artist. Vic- 

 let colored Porto Rican matting in dou- 

 ble thickness was used instead of wire 

 for the foundation. This was completely 

 covered with wired and unwired violets. 

 The ends of the covers were looped with 

 garlands of Cattleya labiata. It was 

 most eft'eetive. The matting matched the 



