THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY 



[July. 



Orange blossom ; then Orange Flower water, next 

 the oil of Petit Grain, from the green leaf of the tree, 

 and last, the oil of Orange, expressed from the 

 peel of the ripened fruit. These are all indis- 

 pensable for the production of the finest quality of 

 Cologne water. 



The three elements of floral beauty are color, 

 form and fragrance. The flower which combines 

 these elements in the highest degree is the Rose, 

 which has been regarded, from all time, as the 

 type of all that was most delightful to the smell 

 and most charming to the eye. Its perfume com- 

 bines, in various and harmonious proportions, 

 with a greater variety and numbers of odors than 

 any other elementary fragrance, and may, perhaps, 

 prove to be the key-note of the future gamut of 

 odors. 



Next in value is the Orange Flower. Its scent is 

 powerful, pervasive, and universally pleasing to 

 to the cultivated sense. It may fitly represent the 

 fifth or dominant of the scale. 



For the third, or mediant, we might select the 

 Vanilla, and so on to the formation of the perfect 

 scale. 



As yet, however, science has thrown but little 

 light upon this theme, and we must be content 

 with mere conjectures which, if time shall prove 

 them unsound, may yet serve as guide-posts on 

 the true road to a knowledge of what is now only 

 an interesting, mysterious and perplexing problem. 



In the domain of sounds there are some discords 

 so harsh as to shock even the dullest ear. So, in 

 the realm of odors, we sometimes experience 

 sensations of displeasure and disgust that cause 

 even the bluntest nature to revolt against them. 

 All these arise from violations of the great law of 

 harmony, which governs the universe and rules 

 the spheres. 



On the other hand, a combination, in true ac- 

 cord, of pure, sweet sounds, a harmonious blending 

 of the rich, fresh odors of the living world in 

 garden, orchard and in grove, bring never-failing 

 delight to the highest organs of our being ; they 

 soothe and refresh the wearied body and the ex. 

 hausted mind ; they bring happiness to the humble, 

 and the most refined pleasure to the man of culture 

 and the votary of art. 



.'\s I shall treat this subject mainly in the light 

 of practice, and in its relations to commerce 

 and the arts, I will not dwell longer upon 

 this train of thought save to suggest the lesson 

 which as horticulturists and florists, we may 

 learn from an honest study of the odors of flowers, 

 and to point out some interesting facts which have 



resulted from chemical research into the odors of 

 plants. 



In the preparation of hand bouquets, baskets, 

 table designs and every form of floral grouping, 

 while great attention is paid to the pleasing con- 

 trast of color and form, the graceful disposition of 

 leaflet and flower, the well-proportioned outline, 

 and the artistic ensemble, there would seem to be 

 a comparative neglect, perhaps an absolute ig- 

 norance, of those principles which govern the 

 harmonies of odors, and of that use of the means 

 at our command, which shall complete and crown 

 the enjoyment properly afforded by these charming 

 combinations of Flora's offspring. 



."Vt times the most discordant elements are intro- 

 duced ; flowers yielding a perfume pleasing in 

 itself, and combining happily with others of the 

 same type and family, are placed beside those of 

 a widely different and opposing nature ; a harsh 

 contrast ensues, and the result is displeasing to 

 the cultivated sense. Let us study this feature 

 more carefully and let not the true intent of the 

 nosegay, to refresh and to delight the sense of 

 smell, be lost sight of; but let fragrance of the 

 highest type, whether simple or composite, be a 

 distinctive, if not a leading feature in these 

 beauteous decorations of our homes, and in the 

 adornment of our festive scenes. 



I have spoken of the Rose as the highest type 

 of fragrance. There are several other odors, 

 mostly quite different from each other in character, 

 which combine harmoniously with the Otto or 

 essential oil of the Rose, and in any desired pro- 

 portion ; such are the odors of Sandalwood, 

 Patchouly, Turkish Geranium, Vitivert, the Rose 

 Geranium of our garden, Rhode-wood, Sweet 

 Brier and some others. The Orange Flower, too, 

 has its kinsmen in the Lilac, Magnolia, Seringa, 

 Daphne, Hawthorne, and many more that will 

 suggest themselves to the experienced lover of 

 flowers. 



Of a different class, but nearly related in 

 fragrance, are the Lemon Verbena, the Citronella, 

 Lemon-grass, and the fruits Lemon, Orange, 

 Bergamot, Cedrat and Limette. 



In a recently issued book, entitled "Among the 

 Spanish People," the author tells us that the Lemon 

 Verbena is collected and stored for winter use. It 

 is said to form one of the finest stomachics and 

 cordials, and is either made into a decoction and 

 drank cold with water and sugar, as a tonic, or 

 with the morning and evening cup of tea. A 

 sprig of five or six leaves of it is first put into the 

 cup, and the hot tea poured over it. By using 



