190 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ists have their eyes on the orchids and they are doomed. They 

 will not long be the flower of the few. 



Not all of the work done by the florists, however, has been in 

 the direction of art or good taste. We have seen floral designs, 

 so called, which were nothing but hideous monstrosities ; and such 

 things have given the critical a fair foundation for wholesale de- 

 nunciation of the whole business. Flowers have been made to do 

 duty in the manufacture of freight cars, chopping blocks, teapots, 

 bedsteads, shovels, lambs that could not be distinguished from 

 Berkshire pigs, doves that would as readily pass for hens, and a 

 host of other abominations. This is one feature of the progress 

 of commercial floriculture which we may well deplore. Perhaps 

 the best way to remedy this state of affairs is to educate the pub- 

 lic to a higher appreciation of work that is really artistic ; for as 

 long as people will demand such things ar)d aie willing to pay for 

 them of course the florists must supply them. 



But floral designs need not be monstrous ; and many even that 

 are formal can be made beautiful in the hands of a true artist. 

 Here is the opening for the successful floral exhibition of the 

 future. At the recent Orchid Show held in New Yoik, the most 

 noticeable featuie and that which went farthest toward making it 

 a success was the manner in which the grouping was done. 

 Everything was arranged with an eye to artistic effect so that 

 altogether it made one perfect and harmonious whole. Luxuriant 

 banks of ferns filled the shady corners, while beautiful pitcher 

 plants hung above ; orchids which gro\\ naturally in the air were 

 attached to old mossy branches overhead ; while under the shade 

 of palms and tree ferns whole colonies of Cypripediunis peeped 

 forth from verdant banks. After seeing such a picture, no one 

 would think of going back to the old style of exhibition where 

 each contributor sets up his own row, and the result is a lot of 

 loose ends and detached groups without harmony or system, and 

 what miglit otherwise be a grand and beautiful display is com- 

 pletely spoiled for lack of a comprehensive plan and a master 

 hand to carry it out. 



Within the past three years a remarkable movement has been 

 taking place among the florists. They have not only a national 

 society which is already a magnificent organization, but they are 

 uniting in different cities all over the country into Florists' Clubs, 

 8f)-ealled. What is tlie cause of these simultaneous movements. 



