34 I^loH'crs for Ornament and 'Decoration. 



but to keep the flowers fresh the rope and cord should be danipeued, and wet moss 

 used among the green. Flowers are easily inserted between the bits of verdure, 

 particularly if their stems are lengthened by wire or twigs, as is often necessary 

 when using short-stemmed blossoms ; moreover, when the flowers have withered they 

 are n)ore readily removed and their places filled with fresh relays. 



A hanging bouquet is prettiest composed of a few choice flowers, with small fern 

 leaves or other light foliage. Take camellias, roses, flzaleas, lilies, and the like, for 

 the more prominent individuals, with panicles of eupatorium or stevia, and bouvardia ; 

 or heliotrope and acacia, or deutzia or verbena, as companions. They should be 

 loosely connected, at the base of their stalks tied together firmly, however, but in 

 such a manner as to give a globular appearance to the group. Hence it is necessary 

 to graduate the length of the stalks ; and it is best, if possible, to use flowers upon 

 their own stems. If wired stems are used, as is often the case with camellias, the 

 wire must be wound about with green moss or lycopodium. If a bit of wet cotton or 

 wicking is wound around the end of the stalks and then covered wilh damp moss the 

 bouquet will retain its freshness longer. 



Alternating with these hanging bouquets — at the looping of garlands — clusters of 

 fuchsias, begonias, calceolarias, or other flowers of similar habit, are very beautiful — 

 regard being paid to the proper contrasts and harmony in their tints ; or, as above 

 mentioned, sprays of some luxuriant vine, with a blossom — rose, lily, etc. — to crown 

 their beauty. 



Hanging baskets of plants or of flowers, are fine ornaments for alcoves or door- 

 ways. If filled with growing plants, flowers may be inserted in the damp soil with 

 good eff"ect, on special occasions, but care must be taken not to overload them. 

 With too profuse display of blossoms {these baskets being generally of rustic design) 

 they appear " loud " and vulgar. Even in hanging baskets designed especially for 

 flowers there is danger of this. An abundance of vines and trailing shrubs, with a 

 moderate supply of flowers to brighten them, is more appropriate. Almost any 

 round or oval ba.sket will answer for this purpose. It should be lined with tinfoil or 

 thick paper and then filled with damp sawdust, the sawdust heaping a little in the 

 center to form a slightly rising mound of the whole. Green moss should then be 

 spread over the surface, and in this the foliage and flowers inserted by their stems. 

 Fir-evergreen, or lycopodium, and box may be used for foliage — ^arbor vitae, kalmia 

 or camellia leaves forming the border of the basket, or, rather, the edging of the 

 floral mound. But green of -a tenderer tone and tissue is more desirable; and flower- 

 ing vines — mimulus, petunia, maurandia, cobea, ipomea, adlumia, and the like, are 

 much prettier wandering at will from the edge and twining up the handles. Ivies 

 are especially beautiful for basket foliage, and sprays of the passion-flower vine or of 

 clematis, springing from a basket, form a graceful festooning for an alcove, window, 

 or doorway. 



These baskets, without handles, placed on small stands around which the vines are 

 allowed to stray are exceedingly attractive as parlor ornaments. A common wicker 

 stand, used for sewing materials, is a nice receptacle for such an arrangement of 

 flowers. Instead of sawdust damp bog-moss may be used. Procure clumps of this 

 (if a few wild vines or small plants are growing among the moss they will add interest 



