27 6 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



specimen roses, lilacs, small chrysanthemums, Malmaison carnations, a few spikes of Lily 

 of the Valley, sprays of stephanotis, gardenias, greenhouse rhododendrons, and other 

 popular flowers, whether these are required for the dining-table, boudoirs, or mantel- 

 pieces. Tiny fish globes are also suitable for a similar purpose. Bold, plain vases 

 are better for holding several flowers, but these should not be crowded nor mixed with 

 the foliage of other kinds of plants. Flimsy tottering glasses, that hold very little 

 water and are easily upset, should be avoided. The leaves of the flowers used, 



maiden-hair fern, sprays of African as- 

 paraguses, and Aquilegia adiantioides, 

 are the best in the way of greenery for 

 these small vases. 



Large flat vases are employed for 

 displays of Roses, and the secoud tiers 

 of epergncs have to bo filled with 

 damp silver sand before they can be 

 made to hold flowers properly. In 

 these, choice short - stemmed flowers 

 may be arranged in mixture, so long 

 as there are no glaring contrasts, with 

 long fern fronds or sprays of asparagus 

 setting well over the edge of the dish, 

 and more greenery interspersed among 

 the flowers. Dipladonias, allamandas, 

 gloxinias, azaleas, water lilies, and a 

 great variety of other flowers, can be 

 used with good effect in these shallow 

 receptacles. In the second tier and branches, flowers of a light, pendulous nature, 

 and sprays of orchids, can be attractively arranged. Only a few are needed for the 

 glasses. Sprays of pendulous fuchsias, begonias, abutilons, and thyrsacanthus, with a 

 single flower or truss, as the case may be, of pancratium, gloriosa, ixora, bouvardia, 

 plumbago, gloxinia, authurium, and clivia, or about three cyclamens, strepto carpuses, 

 sweet peas, and other comparatively small flowers, with some light fern and grasses, 

 and trails of very small ampelopsis, or the best substitute for the same, are usually 



For the central trumpet, flowers in 



Fig. 160. Floweb Vases. 



