CONSTRUCTION OF BOUQUETS, ETC. 239 



able only when pressed and dried, it seems, if it is to 

 come into general use, the cheaper way would be to stil) 

 import the leaves in that state from Italy, where it is 

 hardy enough to stand in the open air. The leaves of 

 the Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta, are used largely for 

 funeral work in all large cities, when they can be obtained. 

 Designs of every imaginable description are now made 

 of flowers shields, rainbows, canopies (under which the 

 marriage ceremony is performed), etc. Mr. Wm. C. 

 AVilson, the well known florist of New York, informed 

 me that he has received $600 for the floral canopy sup- 

 plied for the marriage of the daughter of one of New 

 York's best known citizens, and the flowers used in the 

 decoration of rooms in all footed up $5,000. These are 

 rare occasions, however, though $500 and $1,000 are not 

 unusual. The flowers for the balls of the Americus Club 

 of New York in Tweed's palmy days often cost $6,000 for 

 a single night. 



DESIGNS IN STRAW, WILLOW AND WIRE FOR FLORAL 

 WORK. 



Most elaborate and beautiful designs for floral work 

 are offered in straw, willow, and wire. Figures 56 and 

 57 show a few of the designs at present most in use, but 

 new designs are being now offered each season, so that to 

 keep pace with everything brought out, reference must 

 be had to the catalogues of those making a business of 

 such work. 



Directions have already been given how to fill the 

 wire designs in the preceding pages ; the same will 

 apply, with slight modifications that will be suggested to 

 the operator while constructing, in the straw and willow 

 designs. 



