ii4 THE BOOK OF THE SWEET PEA 



just four small glasses at the corners, or else disposed 

 here and there on the table for completing an effect to 

 suit the taste of each individual table decorator, are now 

 in more frequent use. Wire or glass arrangements for 

 assisting the arrangement of the flowers in bowls 

 may be purchased cheaply, and will last for years. 

 Very beautiful decorations for the dinner-table may 

 be created by these means, and we hope this, or other 

 equally sensible methods of arrangement will henceforth 

 prevail. 



Clear glass is much to be preferred to anything else. 

 The crystal of the water adds to the attractiveness of the 

 picture, and if the arrangement be bright and airy, clean 

 water in clear glass receptacles adds to the daintiness of 

 the display. 



Sweet Peas may be arranged most effectively without 

 the aid of foliage of a foreign nature. A few pieces 

 of Sweet Pea foliage or haulm, with the tendrils 

 well developed, is the natural accompaniment of the 

 flowers. We have used, in association with Sweet 

 Peas, warm-tinted sprays of the hornbeam, than which 

 there is nothing more effective. Elegant plumes of some 

 of our wild grasses are also very handsome when not 

 used too freely. These should not be shortened, but be 

 arranged so that they stand out quite naturally from the 

 base of the stand, made up with the blossoms of the 

 Sweet Peas. The judicious use of a spray or two of 

 Asparagus plumosus, and this of the palest shade of green, 

 will further enhance the picture if disposed with proper 

 regard for an artistic finish. 



On no account shorten the stems of the Sweet Peas. 

 We have seen the picture spoiled by ignorance in this 

 particular. The stateliness of the floral picture may be 

 brought into effect by using flowers with long stems. 

 Unduly long stems, of course, are not needed, but it is 

 imperative to retain stems of sufficient length to represent 



