348 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



each case short flower stems only should be saved, as they are too clumsy for most 

 purposes. Arums, which are principally used in wreaths and crosses, ought to have 

 their stems severely shortened, leaving only enough to show above the moss foundation. 

 They can be fixed upright by means of two strong wires passed through the tube, 

 brought down, and the ends inserted in the moss. Eucharises are easily damaged by 

 wire binding, and the long, thin tubes of the flowers should have a neat bandage of 

 clean, moist cotton-wool wound round them, after which they may safely be bound to 

 either long or short stems. Pancratiums have to stand up above other flowers, and 

 have a swollen base, to which wires can be attached. Lily of the Valley are the most 

 effective when associated with their own pale green leaves, and are not difficult to 

 mount, as shown at g, Fig. 198. Violets are liable to droop quickly. To prevent this 

 pass binding wire round the stem from the flower downwards, and when bunched and 

 supported, as at h (Fig. 198), with stems as required, they look well in bouquets and 

 wreaths. Single orchid blooms are not difficult to mount, and long spikes may be made 

 to arch gracefully by having stout green binding wire neatly wound round the main 

 stem from the point to the base ; a strong wire attached to the lower part of the stems 

 renders them amenable to severe bending. Every frond of fern should have a wire- 

 stem, neatly attached ; and long sprays of asparagus sometimes require backing with 

 wire so that they can be bent to an effective angle. 



Bouquets. 



Painfully neat, solid arrangements will no longer be tolerated. Hand bouquets 

 nowadays must be light in appearance and light to carry ; this can only be effected by 

 providing wires for the natural stems and tastefulness in arrangement of the flowers. 

 Nor will indiscriminate mixtures find favour. Customers usually order what they 

 require, the colours selected corresponding with the dress to be worn when the bouquet 

 is carried. "White goes well with everything, and the majority of bouquets are com- 

 posed of one colour, such as either pink, yellow, crimson, and mauve, toned down 

 with white. At many weddings the bride has an ordinary large round bouquet com- 

 posed of all white flowers and greenery, not forgetting orange blossoms standing up 

 conspicuously, and shoots or sprays of myrtle. Bridesmaids in numerous cases are 

 provided with shower bouquets. Ball-room bouquets are mostly of the older style, as 

 being more easy to deal with. 



Wire frameworks can be bought, and are sometimes used in the making of both 



