STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 53 



Not less absurd and grotesque are the devices wrought with flowers 

 for public occasions, and more particularly at funerals. It would be 

 no more ridiculous to build a roof over the forest than to bring such 

 quantities of flowers which need the pure air to the very heavens, as 

 are seen in the various fantastic designs at halls, churches and even 

 in daint}' libraries. As I pause in writing, I can see a branch of an 

 apple tree from m}- window. Yesterda}' it was clad in an icy armor 

 which reflected in the sunlight as if bedecked with diamonds. 

 To-day it it is wrapped in a mantle of snowy ermine no less beau- 

 tiful in its stainless purity, "still life" it is called, yet, in the stillness 

 of summer, the vital current with ceaseless motion courses to and 

 from its heart to every twiglet upon its outermost branches. This 

 branch will scarcely be left bare long enough for me to sufficiently 

 admire the wonderful intricacies of its crossings and interlaciugs of 

 its numerous twigs and the many neutral tints of its outer garment, 

 before the delicate green will peep forth followed by a wealth of 

 exquisite pinky blossoms. The red buds, the patches of blue heaven 

 in the background and the yellow in the center of the blossoms, also 

 brought out by the sunlight through the green leaves, complete the 

 perfection of coloring which bring those subtle modulations of delight. 

 Imagine all the blossoms strung into a long garland and then woven ' 

 like a thread into letters and devices upon a bed of white carnations. 

 After the first glance of eager curiosit}' as to the number of flowers, 

 the whole thing assumes a most grotesque appearance* All devices 

 and what are termed "artistic" designs should be carefully avoided, 

 for when the decorator tries to out-do Nature, the onl}- perfect pat- 

 tern, the result is an unmistakable failure. Aim at the simplicity of 

 nature. We can remember when every painted flower piece had its 

 flowers placed exactl}' in the middle of the canvas. A better knowl- 

 edge of the harmony of coloring has produced a great variety- of 

 styles and each artist can now revel untrammelled in his or her con- 

 ception of the beautiful. As our lives are successful or otherwise 

 only by association or comparison, so flowers are made to appear 

 more or less beautiful by arrangement or contrast. 



For distant effects A'ellow is by far more eff'ective than any other 

 color. Note from the carriage or car window the brilliant golden rod 

 vying in grace with the over-towering elms, and what can be more 

 grandly exquisite, upon an October afternoon, than the glory reflected 

 by the setting sun upon a row of maple trees, with their halo upon 

 halo of canary and 3'ellow leaves ? 



