July, 1 9 10 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



283 



braid around the edges for the same purpose. Or, a piece 

 of choice antique brocade is treated in the same manner and 

 laid on a polished table. 



Careful thought should be given to the holders of flowers 

 that are to be displayed on 

 a small tea table. Glass or 

 silver are both appropriate, 

 and good taste suggests 

 that the decorative element 

 should be subordinate to 

 the flowers which are, in 

 themselves, the ornamental 

 feature. A single, beauti- 

 ful flower placed in a slen- 

 der, trumpet-shaped silver 

 vase, or a glass bowl filled 

 with one variety of blos- 

 soms will contribute more charm than varied colors massed 

 together. 



The Japanese understand the charm of simple flower 

 arrangements, and we can 

 learn much from studying 

 their prints of vases and 

 blossoms. 



A collection of flower 

 holders should form a part 

 of the furnishings of every 

 home, its size depending 

 on the oportunities for use- 

 fulness. Naturally, this 

 collection will be divided 

 into holders that are suffi- 

 ciently attractive in them- 



A row of plant fiolders 



For the summer porch there is no more enjoyable deco- 

 ration than foliage or flowering plants, and in a sheltered 

 corner these may always be an attraction. One may go 

 into large expense in the selection of jardinieres if the 



Italian models are desired. 

 Copies of the imported 

 pieces are made in this 

 country in composition that 

 resembles stone, and there 

 are also some terra-cotta 

 jars at surprisingly low 

 prices. For large masses of 

 cut flowers these pots may 

 be utilized by placing a 

 pail filled with water inside. 

 The dark-brown papier 

 mache holders that florists 

 use in their shops for cut flowers may be remembered for 

 special decorations that exact more than the usual quantity 

 of vases. 



On the porch one may 

 hang the Japanese wicker 

 work holders in which a 

 tin or pottery lining is 

 fitted for holding water. 

 The wicker baskets hung 

 by cords over a pulley 

 make another unique addi- 

 tion to the porch flower 

 holders. The Japanese 

 braided baskets at first 

 thought may seem unprac- 

 tical for flower holders, 

 but these may also be fitted 

 with a lining for holding a 



selves to be always in evi- A row of flower holders 



dence, and others that may 



be brought out for special demands. In country houses supply of water. 



a side porch is sometimes equipped with running water. At certain seasons of the year when flowers are not ob- 



shelves and drawers to facilitate the task of bouquet mak- tainable, one may remember, in the fall, the dried grasses. 



A bowl for pond lilies 



A simple table decoration 



ing, and in such a place the vases and holders of less orna- and, in the spring, the pussy willows, to keep a touch of 



mental character may be kept. Twine, wrapping paper nature in the home. Placed in suitable holders, one may 



and pasteboard boxes may also be in readiness here for often obtain quite as ornamental an effect with these quiet 



packing up gifts of flowers. tones as with the more brilliant garden blossoms. 



