WINDOW GARDENING 



289 



Water Lilies can be treated in this way and thej can be kept several days. 

 In making wreaths, a delicate eye for combining color and light for arrang- 

 ing flowers are required, or clumsy garlands will be the result. 



It is a mistake to suppose that a great variety of flowers is required ; simple, 

 small wreaths of Ivy leaves and Myrtle blossoms, or drooping racemes of Deut- 

 zia ; of Geranium leaves mingled with white rose buds, and its own brilliant 

 blossoms ; of Pansies, and some thick textured leaves ; of Azaleas and Prim- 

 roses ; or of any combination of two or three flowers are much more lovely for the 

 decoration of the hair, dress and table. 



The wreath can be tied with green zephyr wool 

 upon a bit of thread wire, mingling the green 

 leaves in a graceful form. 



For the head or for a picture frame, the wreath is 

 made moie easily by commencing at each end, and 

 arranging the' flowers and leaves toward the cen- 

 tre beginning with a few drooping branches, and 

 filling the centre with a high coronal of knots of 

 flowers. 



In making up bouquets, frames of very fine green 

 wire are much used, so that a single stem stripped 

 of all its leaves, passes through each hole, and 

 all of them are bound together underneath the 

 frame. 



The holes are arranged in circles, and the effect of 

 the grouping is very good and lasting, but as soon 

 as the flowers shrivel, or the petals fall it is no 

 longer ornamental ; but for decorating a dinner table, 

 or carrying in the hand, it is a most desirable frame, 

 as it is exceedingly light to hold, and takes very 

 few flowers to produce a fine appearance. 



The frame should be slightly conical, and a large 

 flower is best adapted for the aentre piece, and a 

 fringe of some delicate fern, leaves or flower, should 

 droop over the edges. Fig. 39. Wreath of Flower* 



The frames can be made at home with a little ingenuity ; silver wire is the 

 best, but copper can be used. The piece of wire for the outside circle of a large 

 bouquet, should be cut half a yard in length, and the succeeding lengths should 

 be three inches shorter, each one diminishing regularly until the last circle will 

 be the size of a ten cent piece. Each of these wires, making six in all, should be 

 neatly fastened together ; and three wires must then be attached to the centre, 

 one at equal distances, and passing in and out of each circle must be firmly 

 hooked into the outer circle and arranged in a conical shape. Thread wire can 

 now be twisted or netted in and out of the circles as close as the maker 



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