354 POT-POURRI FROM A SURREY GARDEN 



In the meanwhile, however, it is my object to spread its 

 teaching and to show how, with but slight modifications and 

 relaxation from the stricter Japanese rules, this artistic science 

 may be adapted to English flowers and English drawing-rooms. 

 It has a strong claim to being adopted by all lovers of the 

 beautiful and the practical combined because, first, these 

 decorations have a quite unique beauty and refinement; 

 secondly, cut flowers and shrubs live long in water when sup- 

 ported by a flower-holder in the Japanese way, to be described 

 presently ; thirdly, only very few flowers or branches are 

 required a great advantage to those who have but small 

 gardens, to people living in towns where flowers are expensive, 

 and for the seasons of the year when flowers are scarce. Also 

 an extremely decorative effect can be produced without making 

 the room airless from the scent of many flowers. Fourthly, the 

 infinite variety of design it is possible to produce with but few 

 branches on the Japanese principle as compared to the English 

 may be likened to the number of changes that can be rung on a 

 few bells when a given system is followed, whereas the different 

 bells rung simultaneously produce only one, and that a dis- 

 cordant, sound. 



Eoughly speaking, the Japanese art of cut-flower decorations 

 may be classified into three fundamental principles : 



1. Not alone the flowers and leaves, but also the stems or 

 branches should be considered as part of the design in fact, it 

 is the most important part. 



2. The branches are not allowed to lean against the edge 

 of the vase, as in the English manner, but must be firmly 

 supported either by a wooden fixer fitted into the neck of the 

 vase, or by coils of iron if open basin-shaped or flat-bottomed 

 vessels are used, this giving to the stems the appearance of 

 growth and self-support. 



3. Only such flowers and trees as are easily obtainable 

 should be used. Rarity is not considered a merit, and foreign 

 or out-of-the-way plants are only permitted to be used by those 

 who have a thorough knowledge of the nature of their growth, 

 characteristics, &c. The flowers used should be in season, and 

 the design of the decoration suited to its position in the room 

 i.e. if under a picture, on a shelf, in the centre of an alcove, 

 &c. as well as adapted to the vase which holds it. 



