1869.] TABLE DECORATION. 227 



TABLE DECORATION". 



This is a subject we have never seen touched in the 'Gardener.' 

 There must be few gardeners who are not called on sometimes to add 

 this to their hst of duties. It is one of those which most effectually 

 test the gardener's taste, ingenuity, and expertness in handling flowers, 

 a sleight-of-hand which is a good deal the result of experience, but one 

 of those things in which practice can never take the place of natural 

 facility. Some men with infinite labour will send a whole bushel of 

 flowers, leaves, and materials hoj^s de comhat with very unsatisfactory 

 results, while another with a handful will produce a graceful effect 

 with no particular elibrt. 



The mode and materials for table decoration are endless, the former 

 depending a good deal on the size of the table for the evening, the 

 style and magnitude of the room, and accessories, such as chandeliers, 

 the nature of the plate, and the style of the ornaments to be used for 

 the time. For instance, combinations of groups of plants may have 

 to be used, or a lighter style of arrangement with cut flowers, or both 

 combined. Sometimes a massive style might be most effective, in 

 which vases of fruit might be introduced in company with plants 

 bearing fruit ; in fact, the modes of arrangement which one's ingenuity 

 might suggest are endless. 



Much has been said in praise of the light and elegant flower-stands 

 of Marsh for table decoration, and they are worthy of all praise in 

 their way ; but we cannot allow them a monopoly of style ; vary 

 the mode of filling them as one hkes, even they will soon become 

 monotonous. The choice of materials for this purpose is now almost 

 inexhaustible. There is no lack of variety at all seasons of the year; 

 almost all flowers can be worked in forming combinations ; even the 

 single blooms of the Hollyhock we have used with much effect in 

 forming chains, wreaths, and fringes ; but certain colours of flowers are 

 much more effective than others with candle-light. Of plants those 

 of a graceful habit or outline — for instance, the Pandanus and Chinese 

 Primula — are the most useful. Stiff plants, such as Camellias or Azaleas, 

 are seldom admissible. "We have sometimes had the common Pine with 

 ripe fruit worked into a design, but it is stiff and ungainly ; the 

 variegated variety, on account of its pretty stripes, is useful. Some 

 things have long been stereotyped as table-plants, and are made to do 

 duty everywhere and on all occasions — such as the various coloured 

 Dracaenas, Begonias, Marantas, and other things in the coloured way. 

 They are like the old stock scarlet Geraniums in the flower-garden, 

 which everybody has, and everybody must use, and which for this rea- 

 son have long become stale. They, however, recommend themselves as 



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