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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and if there is head room a few tall palms will show to advantage, as well as at the 

 back of the band-stand, and in the corners of the room. The fireplace, when not in use, 

 is a good position for a group of palms and foliage plants (Fig. 103), the pots being 

 obscured by trailing plants or moss, in which small vases, holding a few choice flowers, 

 can be inserted if desired. On the mantelpiece may be arranged a front row of maiden-hair 

 fern, in small pots sloping to the front, and at the back neat fine-foliaged or flowering 

 plants. The approaches and reception rooms may be treated as advised under the 

 heading "House Decoration," and the supper-tables furnished with plants and cut 

 flowers as for a dinner-party. 



For concerts little is done in the way of festooning, but banners are frequently requisi- 

 tioned, and plants largely employed. If only a limited number of performers are 

 engaged, and the platform is fairly large, a row of well-grown plants in covered 5-inch 

 or 6-inch pots may be arranged next the footlights, taking care to keep well clear of 

 them. If there is room, one suitably sized plant or a small group may be disposed at 

 each end with advantage. A tall palm at the back, and slightly overhanging the piano, 

 looks well, but should not incommode the performers. At the back of the platform a 

 tall central hanging mirror, draped with muslin, with either a tall kentia, seaforthia, or 

 other well-grown palm, or a narrow group of somewhat tall plants, has a good 

 appearance. This might be varied by a central group of plants, and narrow hanging 

 mirrors on each side of it, draping coloured muslin from the centre, so as to enclose and 

 hang down on the outer side of the mirrors. In one of the wings, or between the plat- 

 form and wall, there is often space that has to be curtained off ; in front of the curtain 

 there may be room for one or more plants, nothing showing to greater advantage than 

 tall palms and ferns, as comparatively small plants are scarcely seen in such positions. 



