266 A WHITE-PAPER GARDEN 



above. If the room contain a particularly fine 

 painting or hanging, the principal lines of the 

 flower-arrangement must point toward it. 



The height of the cut bough must exceed 

 that of the holder, one and one-half times if a 

 tall jar and long branches are to be used. For 

 a low bo vl, the bough bearing the blossom 

 chosen must exceed the width of the holder 

 one and one-half times. No more flowers may 

 ever be used than can be displayed as indi- 

 viduals, although it is of course permissible 

 and even desirable that one or more be placed 

 in perspective to suggest mystery, distance, 

 reserve. 



See how much poetry as well as how much 

 sound sense lies in this brief summary of the 

 easiest of those golden rules that have been 

 thought out so patiently and so long ago ! 

 Blessings without number are promised those 

 who practise them, and why not ? Economy, 

 humility, patience, reverence these are the 

 virtues they teach. Taste, grace, ideality of 

 form, appreciation of colour, knowledge of the 

 habits and habitats of plants, delicacy of 

 perception these are the pleasant fruits of 

 the study. 



