of Rural Art and Taste. 



103 



To illustrate the fashion of the past age, we 

 must remind our readers that the bouquet was 

 arranged in circles, with each individual row 

 composed of a different flower, and when ac- 

 cessible, these were of a distinct color as well, 

 so that the tout ensemble was somewhat in the 

 style of a zebra, or some nondescript article, 

 not certainly found in nature. 



The whole matter of arrangement may be 

 summed up in a few words. The former idea 

 appeared to be to distort nature, and give to 

 her flora an artificial aspect ; while the true 

 aim and purpose of the modern florist should 

 be to preserve the natural, and entirely abol- 

 ish the artificial, so that the latter may not 

 appear in any form. 



Indeed, throughout the exhibition alluded 

 to, the fact was continually apparent that all 

 the competitors were endeavoring to raise the 

 art to a higher and much more sensible stan- 

 dard, by the simple act of substituting grace 

 for formality. 



We have thus dwelt longer upon this sub- 

 ject than we otherwise would, were it not for 

 the importance being attached to the business 

 at the present time. The cut flower trade in 

 all our large cities, is perfectly enormous, es- 

 pecially in New York, Philadelphia, and 

 Boston, where thousands of dollars are annu- 

 ally spent in this branch of industry. In 

 some localities, especially near the suburbs of 

 our larger cities, may be seen acres of glass 

 structures, used solely for the purpose of forc- 

 ing flowers ; and the dwellers in the city 

 proper know very little of the gigantic propor- 

 tion which this business has assumed. 



Indeed, our florists, with scarcely an ex- 

 ception, are to-day devoting a large amount 

 of space for growing cut flowers, who, a few 

 years since would have thought it entirely 

 beneath their notice. But finding that it paid, 

 and that handsomely, they are annually in- 

 creasing this department of their vocation. 



It is the fashion for persons of a certain 

 class to characterize this as a useless expendi- 

 ture of money. Not so, however. It is one 

 of the most able advocates for a better state 

 of morals in society at large. Its tendency is 

 to elevate and refine, whilst creating a distaste 



for the gross and vile ; and the tiny bunch of 

 violets, purchased for a few pennies from the 

 little girl on the street corner, afibrds far more 

 pleasure to the buyer, than the same amount 

 expended for any artificial ornament of what- 

 soever kind. 



Is it not a pleasant idea, that the humble 

 flowers may, in many instances, prove to be 

 missionaries in a certain sense ; awakening in 

 the mind of many an erring one, visions of 

 an earlier and better life, and recalling the 

 oft quoted, yet ever sublime simile of the 

 Great Master, " Behold the Lilies of the 

 field." Let us trust so at least, for we should 

 all be firm believers in the beautiful theory, 

 that with the increase of a love for flowers, 

 just in proportion will be the decrease in 

 crime and immorality. 



Ornamental Trees and 

 Shrubs. 



AT last meeting of the Western N. Y. 

 Horticultural Society, lists of valuable 

 standard, or new trees and shrubs, were sub- 

 mitted by various members, of which the fol- 

 lowing, accompanying Mr. Ellwanger's report, 

 were recommended as most valuable, worthy 

 of dissemination : 



New and Rare Deciduous Trees. 



Acacia viscosa bella rosea — Flowers del- 

 icate flesh-colored, fringed with yellow ; fine 

 dark foliage, and vigorous grower. A very 

 desirable variety. 



Alnus firma — A thrifty, medium-sized 

 tree from Japan ; foliage resembling a Morello 

 cherry — very distinct. 



Alnus incana laciniata — A very choice, 

 beautiful variety ; leaves deeply cut. 



Alnus Japonica — A very distinct Japan- 

 ese variety, with cherry-like foliage. 



Pyrus malus carnea plena — A beautiful 

 variety, with flesh-colored double flowers. 



Fag us quercifolia — Resembles the fern- 

 leaved ; distinct cut foliage ; a dwarf grower. 



Msculus heterophylla dissecta — Leaves 

 deeply and finely cut ; a very novel and at- 

 tractive variety. 



Msculus Mermiiingerii — Beautiful white 

 spotted foliage, curious and ornamental. 



