192 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



sweet alyssum on one side and a small geranium leaf in 

 the same on the other ; a white carnation is set behind 

 each bud, with a speck of bouvardia in eupatorium on 

 each side. A light border of stevia is now set around the 

 whole, and with camellia leaves of equal form stemmed 

 on willows, and projected nearly half their length, the 

 bouquet is finished. The back is trimmed with bouquet 

 green, or fine leaves of any evergreen. The handle is cut 

 to about three inches, and being a hand bouquet, is wrap- 

 ped with tinfoil, wound over, and neatly tied above with 

 a bow of white taffeta ribbon. 



The outline of the bouquet must be carefully kept as 

 the work proceeds, and sufficient moss from time to time 

 packed lightly in front and immediately under the flow- 

 ers. By this means the weight of the structure is borne 

 by the stems, the flowers being only allowed to touch 

 each other. Moss not only serves well to keep the flowers 

 apart, but acts as a sponge when the bouquet is set in water, 

 giving moisture to flowers with the shortest stems; and 

 bouquets thus made are more durable than the casual ob- 

 server who gazes regretfully on the beheaded flowers 

 is apt to imagine. When, in addition to the moss, a piece 

 of wet cotton is stemmed to every flower, (as the writer 

 has all good work done,) the natural stem is not unkindly 

 superseded. The maker must work with a tight thread, 

 to prevent the flowers from getting out of place, and keep 

 a clean surface on the handle. Another method of bouquet 

 making is to tie a ball of moss rather loosely on the 

 bouquet stick and insert the flowers (which are stemmed 

 to suit the work), drawing them down to the desired posi- 

 tion, and tying as the work proceeds. 



Vase bouquets are made similarly, with more green 

 " backing " between and around the flowers, for loose ar- 

 rangement and to support the greater weight. Flower 

 baskets are lined with tinfoil, or, if not likely to show after 

 filling, any tough paper will serve the purpose ; they are 



