268 



THE FLOWER GROWERS GUIDE. 



sodden, which means death or serious injury to the plant. Palms and other kinds, with 

 hard, smooth surfaces to their leaves, are the most durable, especially if the dust is 

 sponged from them occasionally, but, where possible, changing the plants before they 

 suffer injury, is the best course to pursue. The best gas-resisting plants are aspidistras, 

 Aralia Sieboldi, Ficus elastica, Latania borbonica, and Kentia Fosteriana. 



Wardian cases are of great service where gas is the illuminating power. In these 

 ferns and kindred plants will thrive admirably owing to the cases excluding the fumes 

 of gas, while retaining genial moisture. In glazed cases a miniature rock-garden may be 

 formed with stones, moss, and sandy peat soil, planting in it various ferns and a small 

 plant or two of the common ivy. Many persons dispense with soil and keep their plants 

 in pots, plunged in moss or covered with bits of virgin cork, or spar. The contents of 

 these cases ought to be shaded from strong sun. Water must be supplied to the plants 

 when needed, and if the case is slightly opened at any time, let it be when the room has 

 been well cleared of gas fumes by ventilation. 



TABLE DECORATIONS. 



During the past quarter- of-a- century, quite a revolution has been effected in the style 

 of decorating dinner-tables, a change for the better having taken place all round. 

 The heavy, rich, sombre style no longer prevails. Instead of doing our best to depress 

 the spirits of those who gather round our tables, everything is now done to make their 

 enjoyment as complete as possible. It is not enough to cater for the mere appetite, but 

 our aim should be rather to do everything possible towards promoting a lighter, 

 healthier, and intellectual repast, A sensibly and tastefully adorned table does un- 

 doubtedly add to the pleasure of most guests, and no decorator worthy of the name would 

 arrange, and no refined host nowadays tolerate, either huge masses of flowers or large, 

 heavy plants on their tables. Host and hostess ought to be able to see each other 

 as well as their guests without any cran ing of necks during the course of conversation. 



It does not follow that those exceptionally light, and it may be prettily, decorated 

 tables, common to many flower shows are always to be commended for a real dining- 

 table. Much ought to depend upon its size and the surroundings generally. In some 

 instances very light materials, sparingly employed, might be pleasing, but more often 

 than not they would have a puny effect on a regular dining-table. Moreover, the 

 colours also have to be considered, some which are distinctly beautiful by daylight are 

 utter failures by gas, lamp, or candlelight. What is more common than a summer 



