228 . THE GARDENER. [May 



being showy, easily stuck in a vase and transported to tlie table; and 

 lo ! the table is decorated. Simple materials are, as a rule, the most 

 useful ; to stick a rare and expensive plant on the table, simply 

 because it is new and rare, is not decoration. We sometimes see, at 

 flower-shows, collections of hand and table bouquets for competition ; 

 the taste or no taste or motive of the various makers can usually be 

 seen at a glance. Here is one crammed with some rare Orchids and the 

 very newest Zonal Geraniums, and eked out with the newest arrivals 

 from Mexico or the Brazils : the maker evidently thought the judges 

 could not well get over that; but, after all, it is but a bundle of flowers. 

 There is another of Rose-buds, Lily of the Valley, Lilac or Deutzia, and 

 suchlike, but elegantly put together, and a bouquet. The judges of the 

 one such will, according to a golden rule in judging, give the prize to the 

 producer, not to the production; so it must be in the decoration of the 

 table. Simple materials, skilfully arranged, producing an elegant whole, 

 are much more likely to please the eye of taste, and through it reflect 

 credit on the artist, than sticking on rare or valuable plants to con- 

 centrate the attention on their individual selves. We believe, how- 

 ever, that there are but few gardeners who will not pronounce table 

 decoration a nuisance, especially in winter, if there be a run of it for 

 a month or two on end, and a change in demand every night. The 

 damage to plants and the waste of flowers are alone suflicient to dis- 

 gust one, not to speak of time absorbed and the monopoly of thought ; 

 but the thing must be done, and therefore anticipated, and when 

 extensive practice in this department, room and table decoration, is 

 exercised, much hospital accommodation must also be provided. 



Of the materials useful for the purpose we shall mention some 

 things we grow in quantity, more especially for winter use. Foremost 

 we may mention the various and best sorts of Chinese Primula, well 

 grown and flowered in small pots ; their forms and colours look beauti- 

 ful with candle-light, and either cut or turned out of the pot, they 

 will arrange with anything. Plants of all sizes of Centaurea Ragusina 

 also work as well, and are always elegant in whatever combination 

 — as can only be said of white ; their outline is also graceful. Well- 

 fruited plants of Solanum capsicastrum of various sizes, also the tall 

 varieties of S. pseudo-capsicum, are most useful. Almost all sorts of 

 Ferns are indispensable subjects, especially Adiantums, batches of 

 which are easily grown of any size. In summer the fronds of the 

 common Shield Fern and Lady Fern are diflicult to supersede for 

 many purposes — as, for instance, where a fringe is wanted round the 

 edge of a vase or dish against the table-cloth. The common toothed 

 Lycopod is ever in demand, and can be grown in small pots or shallow 

 boxes ; or, if convenient, meadows of it can be grown in the conser- 



