FLOWER BASKETS AND STANDS. 



277 



long spikes are suitable, such as of francoa, spirsea, larkspur, euphorbia, gesneria, and 

 amasonia, arranging them lightly with tall grasses, a few fronds of light fern, and 

 some elegant trails. Those who compete for prizes mount pips of tuberose, stephanotis, 

 agapanthus, and other small, short-stemmed flowers, on wires 6 inches to 9 inches 

 long, and dot these about the vases and cpergnes, but such temporary additions are 

 not suitable for every-day 

 arrangements, the "wired" 

 flowers lasting fresh a short 

 time only. 



French baskets with a 

 high cross handle, and fitted 

 with a tin for holding water, 

 and a cover of half - inch 

 mesh netting for holding or 

 steadying the flowers, or 

 failing this moist sand, can 

 be tastefully filled with 

 flowers for either a table 

 or exhibition purposes. The 

 handles may be covered 

 lightly with trails of smilax, 

 asparagus, virginian creeper, 

 elegant ivy, Ficus repens, 

 Selaginella csesia arborea, 

 Lygodium scandens, stepha- 

 notis in flower, or other trail- 

 ing plants, and may further 



have a bow of satin ribbon attached to one side, of a colour to blend or contrast well 

 with the flowers in the basket ; but too much ribbon is often employed. These baskets 

 can be effectively filled with bold flowers, with long stems, such as roses, Cactus dahlias, 

 Malmaison carnations, chrysanthemums, cattleyas, and odontoglossums. Pedestal stands 

 (Fig. 161) are also furnished with autumn foliage, berries, grasses, and ferns, and 

 beautiful effects produced. The grasses ought to be collected before the seeds are 

 ripe, tied in bunches, suspended in a room and dried. Hedgerows in October and 



Fig. 101. Autumnal Stand of Beeeies and Foliage. 



