CUT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT 



153 



PRACTICE Is ESSENTIAL IN 

 FLORAL DESIGNING 



There are enough design 

 books on the market today and 

 enough illustrations appearing 

 from time to time in the trade 

 papers to give one an idea of 

 floral arrangements. As in 

 many another accomplishment, 

 to some the artistic arrange- 

 ment of flowers seems like a 

 natural gift while others find it 

 impossible to acquire it no mat- 

 ter how long they stick at it. 

 Of course, in any case, it re- 

 quires experience and practice 

 to become efficient. And not 

 only that, as important as any- 

 thing is to learn how to accom- 

 plish the most with the mini- 

 mum of material. This should 

 not be confused with giving as 

 little as possible for the money, 

 but means rather the avoidance 

 of waste. 



It is not possible here to dwell at length on this subject. Not 

 that it isn't as important, perhaps, as any connected with the 

 florist business, but men and women will have to find their own way 

 themselves. Those who start into business with just a little knowl- 

 edge of what pleases the eye, a will to learn, and open minds will soon 

 get on their feet. The first design or spray arrangement turned out 

 may not come up to what it should be, but is there anyone who 

 ever had a different experience ? 



Feel your way. Watch what others do. Do not try only to 

 imitate them, but try to improve on their work. Keep on thinking 

 of something a little out of the ordinary and keep on perfecting 

 yourself. There is room for that improvement in the methods of 

 even the most uptodate florist living. You could explain things to 

 a man for a year, but unless he actually had a hand in the work, 

 it would be of but little good to him. The minute you begin to have 

 the least to do with such work, it comes perfectly natural to take 

 an interest in it; and it is equally natural to keep on improving as 

 you go along. 



Strive to please those you serve. That, after all, is the main 

 thing. If you can turn out work that will please your patrons 

 who pay for it, you are on the right road even if you never acquire 



Fig. 50. THE SORT OF ROSE BASKET 

 THAT PAYS. No one would have paid 

 more than two dollars and a half for this 

 Dorothy Perkins Rose in a 5-in. pot; 

 but with the dollar basket and the fifty- 

 cent ribbon added, it sold for six dollars 



