i$2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



may be lightly wreathed, while the ends of choir stalls can be furnished with banners or 

 evergreens, and the gas-brackets or candlesticks be treated similarly to those in the 

 aisles of the church. Sometimes the altar rails are wreathed with evergreens, with 

 pockets of flowers at each standard, but this is not a High Church practice. Altar vases 

 as usually seen, have flower holders of an oval shape, fitted with tubes, and the correct 

 practice is to fill these somewhat closely, all the flowers facing outwards, with a margin 

 of fern. If two colours of flowers are used, one may encircle the other, or one colour, 

 say red, may be arranged in the form of a Greek cross, filling in the spaces between 

 and encircling with white flowers ; general mixtures are wrong. In High Churches 

 there is no other altar decoration needed, or possible in many cases ; but where there is 

 no reredos, and only bare walls and sloping naked window-sills, much more may be done 

 with advantage. The window-sills should be covered with fresh moss, and have groups 

 or crosses of white flowers and fern fronds laid on it. Ivy trails may be taken up the 

 stonework of the window. 



Other sloping window-sills should be decorated in a similar manner, substituting 

 coloured flowers for white. Where the sills are flat large vases or jars may be arranged, 

 filling them boldly with long-stemmed flowers, branches of evergreens, and hardy fern 

 fronds. 



At Whitsuntide in many churches the gas-stands are decorated with large branches of 

 birch in leaf, and this is also freely used around heavy pillars, in various corners, but 

 not about the altar, pulpit, lectern, or font, where red flowers are correct. This birch 

 decoration is very effective. For Harvest Thanksgivings corn ought largely to take 

 the place of flowers and evergreens, especially in positions where somewhat heavy 

 decorations are desirable. Small sheaves, with some fruit or vegetables at the base, are 

 appropriate for the window, and larger sheaves and fruit at the base of the pulpit and 

 other open spaces. The Winter Cherry (Physalis Alkekengi) mixed with flowers and 

 corn looks well on the pulpit. Floral archways are sometimes formed for such festivals, 

 and for wedding ceremonies, these showing to the best advantage in churches where 

 there are no chancel screens. 



Although plants have not, as yet, been mentioned in this connection, it is not because 

 their value for church decoration is not rated very high. On the contrary, plants give 

 the finishing touch to the other work ; but not, as sometimes seen, in dirty pots too large 

 for the purpose, arranged conspicuously in the windows. Better no plants at all than thus 

 employed. A moderately large well-grown kentia, or other palm, on each side of the 



