72 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GAKDEN. 



expense will not be great, even if every plant, tool, or 

 process here mentioned is bought or carried out. If the 

 grower does not care to do so much, any part may be 

 selected, and the cost readily found. 



TO MAKE A BOUQUET. 



Having given directions for raising flowers, a few words 

 upon their use may not be inappropriate. The simplest 

 and best way to exhibit cut flowers to advantage in the 

 house is to place them in shallow dishes, vases, or wine- 

 glasses. Taste must be the guide in this matter. The 

 making of crosses, wreaths, or other floral decorations, is 

 an art in itself, and would require more pages than we can 

 here give. 



The simplest way to put up flowers to carry is what is 

 known as a hand-bouquet. A slender stick, about a foot 

 long — some annealed iron wire, size No. 21, and a ball of 

 linen twine, such as is used in the garden, are necessary if 

 economy of flowers and ease of manipulation are considered. . 

 Have the flowers prepared, by putting wire stems to those 

 that have none, and the leaves stripped from those that 

 have them. The leaves are of no consequence, and only 

 crowd the bunch when made up ; besides, the flowers keep 

 better. Having spread the flowers on a table, each kind by 

 itself, and fastened one end of the twine to the tip of th-e 

 stick, take it in the left hand, holding it by the finger and 

 thumb to tighten the twine. First, select some light flower, 



