298 



THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



tied to a small stick or twig. Be very careful in handling the camellias, as the slightest bruise 

 will impair their beauty. The roses can either be cut with long stems, or tied to supports. 

 Fig. 1. The smaller flowers should be ar- Fig". 2. 



ranged in very small bunches, or 

 singly, and also tied to twigs oT 

 whisk. If the bouquet is of the py- 

 ramidal form, it should be made 

 on a strong stick, as in fig. 4, com- 

 mencing at the top witu the smaller 

 flowers, and gradually widening at 

 the base with the larger, taking 

 care to assort the colors so as to 

 make as much contrast as possible, 

 and also to fill in the interstices 

 between the larger flowers with 

 the smaller. 



If the bouquet is flat, as shown 

 in fig. 3, it is not absolutely neces- 

 sary to have a strong stick- in the 



centre, but I would recommend it on account of its advan- 

 tages in preserving a symmetrical form. Begin with a ca- 



Fig. 3. Fig. 4. 



V 



mellia or rose for the centre ; then a circle of small flowers ; 

 then say four or more roses or camellias disposed around the centre, and then another circle 

 of small flowers ; and then, if the bouquet is not large enough, another row of camellias or 

 roses, and a few more small flowers, finishing with a circle of rose or oak -leaf geranium- 

 leaves tied singly to whisk straws, and some arbor-vitse, cedar, or other evergreen, below all. 

 To preserve a flat or oval surface to a bouquet, be careful not to tie the stems or twigs too 

 high up on the centre stick, for in that case the flowers would face outwards, as in a pyramidal 

 bouquet, instead of upwards. If you wish a bouquet to be kept for a long time, the interstices 

 between the twigs or stems should be filled with moss, evergreen, or any thing that will retain 

 moisture. It will add much to the grace and beauty of the bouquet to introduce skilfully 

 some handsome green foliage to break the monotonous effect ; and some of the smallest and 

 choicest flowers should be allowed to project beyond the surface of the bouquet. 



