SWEET PEA IN TABLE DECORATION 109 



once or twice, as the plants yield such a wonderful 

 display each day that constant change may be very 

 easily effected and the decorations made more fascinat- 

 ing in consequence. It is the practice, in some gardens, 

 to grow a sufficient number of varieties of certain 

 specified colours and forms, that blossoms of a kind 

 to suit the occasion may be gathered each day as 

 required. This is a very excellent rule to follow, 

 and ensures a pleasing variation from time to time, 

 right throughout the flowering season. Unless some 

 such rule be observed, it is just possible there may 

 be a monotonous continuation of some kinds or colours, 

 that, however excellent or beautiful they may be, 

 must, if repeated too often, lose their charm to some 

 extent. Those who desire to excel in this department 

 of decorative work, would be well advised to make a 

 special study of the colours and peculiarities of the 

 better varieties that are now in general cultivation. This 

 may appear to be quite superfluous advice, but, in fact, it 

 is not so. The floral decorator who wishes to excel in 

 the art, should always be on the lookout for good and 

 distinct kinds, the flowers of which should possess some 

 distinguishing characteristic. In this connection we 

 may mention the question of colour, and how this 

 varies ! Good, self-coloured flowers, or those kinds 

 that are apparently self-coloured, are useful in certain 

 circumstances, but if they be of too striking a colour, 

 they may be quite difficult to use by themselves or in 

 association with other colours. Novelty in colour 

 should always be sought after, providing it is a really 

 pleasing one, and for this reason we welcome a bicolor, 

 such as Jeannie Gordon, or the more recent acquisition 

 Evelyn Hemus, the lovely high quality flower with a 

 buff ground and picotee edging of rose. Constance 

 Oliver is another flower of novel colour, its delicate 

 pink blossoms suffused with cream providing dainty 



