The Canadian Horticulturist. 



63 



Australis), which is capable of being arranged very beautifully in some promi- 

 nent point in the decorated room. On the mantel shelf I should place white 

 white and yellow carnations and mignonette ; in the vase at the right a fine 

 bunch of yellow or white roses would be pretty ; and last, but not least, is the 

 effective little lamp, whose dainty light will cast a soft glow over the neighboring 

 flowers. A fairy lamp would also add materially to the beauty of the design. 

 This removal of things in general from all appearance of the commonplace 

 means that it is better to cut loose from all usual customs in the decoration of 

 a room, and adapt flowers and plants to every condition of furniture and archi- 





Fio. 421.— A Decorated Mantel. 



tecture ; the bookcase, cabinet and china dresser all afford some excellent 

 points for the display of flowers. The top of a bit of furniture which is just 

 below the level of the eye can be covered with greens and a vase placed in the 

 midst, filled with a strong bit of color, or the sweeping lines and effective form 

 of a plant like the palm, or even the poinsettia. Narcissi and cyclamens should 

 never be placed more than a couple of feet above the level of the floor % they 

 are plants which (as they grow naturally) we look down upon, and I see no 

 reason why we should not adhere to natural methods in working out a decora- 

 tive scheme. 



