DECORATIVE USE OF FLOWERS. 



131 



around the stems of glass vases and epergnes will be 

 available. It is a plant much sought after for this 

 purpose by the floral decorators of New York and 

 other trans-Atlantic cities. Being of a distinct 

 character, light and elegant in growth, and of a 

 pleasing shade of green, it is one of the best plants 

 for the purposes just enuinerated that can well be 

 grown. The several examples of foliage adjuncts 

 that we have quoted will be of great service in 

 decorations, choosing each kind with discrimination, 

 and having regard to the flowers that are to be the 

 predominating feature in each given case. The use 

 of such will greatly relieve the severe strain that is 

 at times put upon the ferns for cut supply. 



Ferns and Mosses. — Of these valuable asso- 

 ciates with flowers, there are a goodly number which 

 are not so much cultivated as they deserve to be. 

 One of the very best is Gleichenia {Mertensia) flahel- 

 lata, from New Holland ; this is easily grown in 

 a warm green-house. When a plant has attained 

 goodly dimensions, the last developed whorl or 

 growth makes an excellent base on which to arrange 

 a vase of trumpet shape with flowers. It is a fern 

 of the greatest durability when cut, keeping in good 

 condition quite a fortnight. Certainly it is, in a 

 measure, a scarce plant at the present time ; but were 

 it more sought after, a necessary supply would soon 

 be propagated to meet the demand. Of the larger- 

 growing forms of Adiantum, one of the best is A. 

 Cardiochloena, from Caraccas. The fronds of this fern 

 are of great persistency, and being of much beauty, 

 are of great service in all arrangements that have 

 the base resting on the table. A. Sanct<B-Catharince 

 is another useful kind for the same purpose. Two 

 other choice sorts are A. Feei and A. WilUamsii, 

 both of medium growth. Of the smaller types of 

 Adiantum, that are quite distinct from the common 

 kind of Maiden-hair, A. amabile is very pretty; its 

 long pendent fronds look at their best when fringing 

 a tall trumpet vase. A. concinnum, with its long 

 arching fronds of a roseate hue in the young state, 

 are beautiful when in association with the foregoing 

 species, or even by themselves. The lovely fronds 

 of A. Farley ense, which are best used when in a well- 

 hardened state, should not be placed too thickly 

 together, or their individual beauty will not so readily 

 be seen. It is not one of the best to keep in a cut 

 state, therefore defer using it until immediately 

 required for display. Several of the BavalUas 

 are amongst the most durable of all ferns when cut, 

 not given to curl up or wither if exposed to cold 

 currents of air. To the decorator one or more of 

 the best-adapted kinds are simply invaluable. B. 

 hullata (the Squirrel's Foot) is one of the prettiest. 

 This species produces its fronds very freely ; these 



can be used when in a young state and of a pale 

 green colour without disappointment. As age ap- 

 proaches they assume a darker hue, but none the 

 less useful. B. Tyermanni, with fronds of a glaucous 

 green, is another good species ; so are B. dissecta, B. 

 decora, B. elegans, and B. ienuifolia stricta. Each 

 and all are good, and the comparative ease with 

 which they can be cultivated should cause them to 

 be used extensively. The recently introduced species, 

 B. fijiensis major, should also be a valuable kind, 

 being very distinct. A few fronds of the golden and 

 silver species of Gymnogramma are pleasingly effec- 

 tive when intermixed with other foliage, endeavour- 

 ing as much as possible to show the inverse surface 

 of each frond. Onychium japonicum is a very pretty 

 and extremely light fern for intermixing with 

 flowers. Of the Fteris, the well-known Ribbon Fern 

 in its choicer crested forms (P. serrulata, var. cristata)^ 

 F. cretica, and F. umbrosa, will all be found of useful 

 service. 



Among the climbing or scandent ferns there are 

 two, at the least, which are extremely useful for cir- 

 cling around the branches of epergnes and the stems 

 of glass vases. These are Lygodium scandens and Z. 

 falmatum, to be found in some catalogues under the 

 generic synonym of Stenochlosna. L. scandens is one 

 of the prettiest ferns grown for decoration in many 

 ways ; each individual frond should be trained up a 

 string by itself, and when required to be cut, it can 

 be detached at the requisite length with ease. 

 Another class of ferns, not often seen used in a cut 

 state, are the Goniophlebiums and Nephrolepis. Of the 

 former genus, G. subauriculatum is one of the most 

 graceful objects imaginable, when taken for an ex- 

 terior fringing to a tall vase in such a manner as to 

 allow the points of the fronds to hang down nearly 

 to the base. The Nephrolepis can be used in the 

 same way, but are not quite so light and elegant as 

 the Goniophlebium just named. iV. davalloides, when 

 it assumes its true character, is one of the best; 

 Ff. tuberosa and N. exaltata are also two serviceable 

 kinds, both of good lasting properties. Of the 

 hardy exotic and British ferns there are numerous 

 species that supply us with useful fronds, chiefly for 

 extra- sized arrangements. Of the former, A. peda- 

 tum would be one of the best were it more cultivated. 

 Cyrtomium fakatwm, with its distinct fronds, is 

 another ; whilst of the several forms of Lastreas, 

 L. Sieboldii is one of the prettiest. The British 

 species of this last genus, with the Folypodiums, the 

 Folystichums, and the large family of Athyriums, or 

 Lady Ferns, give a wide field of choice, while the 

 Scolapendrmms, or Hart's Tongue Ferns, are valuable 

 in large decorations. 



From the Selaginellas, or Club Mosses, we receive 

 considerable help. One kind of these has been pre- 



