CONSTRUCTION OF BOUQUETS, ETC. 157 



red now, and sometimes one funeral demands a thousand 

 dollars' worth. The wreath and crescent wreath are un- 

 doubtedly the best forms for this purpose, and the cross is 

 a favorite and beautiful emblem. An upright cross of 

 flowers, solid on all sides, with a base of the same, is a 

 very striking object, but unless well and richly made, 

 were better left alone. Anchors, crowns, baskets, and 

 bouquets, are all used for the same purpose. In any of 

 these forms, the slightly rounding surface is the best; that 

 is to say, the flowers in the wreath, cross, &c., must 

 neither be flat nor too highly rounded. 



It has ever been a matter of wonder to the workers in 

 flowers how such a preponderance of white is required. 

 Most of them have not realized (although often practis- 

 ing it) that the most beautiful colored bouquets have 

 always a large proportion of white in their composition. 

 When we consider that white flowers are used, in quan- 

 tity at least, equal to flowers of all colors collectively, and 

 add to this the large amount of white flowers used alone 

 for funerals, weddings, church offerings, &c., we may more 

 readily conceive how important the raising of white 

 flowers is to all flower growers. We believe it is safe 

 to affirm that no one in the flower business fairly dis- 

 covered this necessity, until the vastly increasing demand 

 for flowers in late years forced it upon his attention, 

 and compelled growers to the production of white 

 flowers as the most important part of their business. 



Bouquet making is no longer a paltry business ; the 

 trade in flowers, in New York at least, has fairly outgrown 

 that of flowering plants, and when so much of this work 

 is required, and when that well done is so much more valu- 

 able, it becomes worthy of more study and attention. 



Many people have little idea of the value set upon 

 flowers by some of their fellow mortals. In New York, 

 during winter, twenty-five cents is a common price for a 

 handsome rose-bud, the same per dozen for violets, 



