WIRING AND MOUNTING FLOWERS. 



345 



FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS. 



Fashions change with these as with many other things, and what is correct to-day 

 may soon be out of fashion. There are, however, a few primary details to be mastered, 

 which, once acquired, render it comparatively easy to keep pace with any changes or 

 innovations that may take place in the fashionable world. All who would succeed as 

 florists of the mechanical order, as distinct from the grower of plants, should strive to 

 establish a reputation for lightness and taste in the arrangements of flowers, whether 

 these are in bouquets, baskets, or memorial emblems. In particular ought they to be 

 equal to properly carrying out instructions from their patrons, thereby gaining both 

 credit and experience, which means considerably enhanced profits. It is not those who 

 grow flowers for the markets who make the most out of them ; the lion's share of the 

 profits go to the particular class of florists who obtain such high prices for the bouquets 

 and other forms supplied by them to their various customers. With these people close, 

 heavy masses of flowers have long since been discarded in favour of something bold, 

 light, yet economical, as far as materials are concerned, yet tasteful and pleasing. This 

 is alike creditable to purchasers and satisfactory to vendors. 



A free employment of wires has not only obviated the retention of long, heavy 

 flower stems, but also admits of many short-stemmed flowers being marketed that 

 would otherwise be wasted. Wires are also employed for holding some flowers, roses, 

 for instance, together and for strengthening weak or brittle stems, only those who go 

 behind the scenes fully realising how much mechanical art is brought to bear upon the 

 florist's work. All this " wiring " has, or ought, to be done so neatly as to be scarcely 

 seen by superficial observers ; and the hints to follow on this subject will have to be 

 supplemented by a certain amount of natural aptitude and studious practice before the 

 novice can attain the proficiency of the expert. 



Wiring and Mounting Flowers. 

 The stock-in-trade of a florist, as far as working materials are concerned, need not be 

 either extensive or expensive. Annealed bouquet or stub wire, which is used in 

 mounting flowers for wreaths and other emblematical designs, is bought by weight, and 

 principally in bundles of 7-inch lengths, though 12-inch lengths are also needed 

 occasionally for the larger hand bouquets. For strong stems gauge 20 is heavy enough, 

 and costs in the trade about 3s. Gd. per 12 lbs. ; gauge 22 and 24 are suitable for light 

 work ; for strengthening flowers as well as binding, 26 to 30 are available. The prices 

 VOL. in. Y Y 



