

1- 



tone-values, could we but manage to reproduce what we 

 see, it would be a perfect tour dc force. 



Tliis leads inc to the subject of backgrounds. Of course, 

 for picture-making light flowers undoubtedl)- 

 look most effective when arranged against something 

 dark and simple. The interest is, after all, in the 

 flowers, and if the background is treated elaborately 

 with detail and accessories, it will onlv detract from the 

 main idea. 



Hut when I say a " plain background," 1 do not 

 mean an absolutel}- flat surface devoid of light and 

 shade ; this would give a terribly hard effect. The 

 shadows falling from the flowers themselves are of great 

 value. When you have arranged your group to your 

 liking, or allowed the flowers to arrange themselves 

 (usually the more satisfactory plan), try the effect oi 

 different tones behind to see which harmonises best 

 with the prevailing colour ; sometimes a bit of brown 

 paper even is most successful, sometimes a bit of 

 draper)-. 



I myself have a prized collection of old bits, called, 

 most contemptuously, my "' rags " by the family ; most 

 precious and useful to me, though I expect any self- 

 respecting gentleman of the " old clo' " profession would 

 absolutely refuse to entertain the idea of a deal in such 

 rubbish. "There ain't one of them fit to make a duster 

 on ! " commented a lofty charlady who once got an 

 accidental peep at them. Bits of old furniture covering, 

 fragments of dresses long worn out, curtains, anything on which Old 

 Time has laid his mellow and softening touch. Washed out and 

 faded, worn and old, they nevertheless 

 possess artistic possibilities that braiul- 

 ^ ., new silks and velvets never could. 



Sometimes an old book or books will 

 blend beautifully with our floral studies. 

 I mean those lovely russety-brown calf- 

 bound volumes that have descended to 

 us from our grandparents, to which wear 

 and the passing of \-ears have given an 





O white Wind- 

 flower with the 

 purple dyes 



Your candour oT 

 innocence n%eets 

 mine eyes, 



And bids the bowed 

 heart in me arise ; 



You arc kin to the 

 little ones, hum- 

 ble and wise, 



You 



wly-born 

 the wild-wood. 



'^Hp^»> added charm, so mellow and dignitied in 

 comparison with the gaily-decorated picture 

 board-bindings of to-daj-. 



Old mahogany or oak furniture makes 



