350 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



to asparagus trails. First form a good point, and then proceed upwards, forming a stem 

 with the wires twisted together as the mounted flowers are added. When the lower 

 portion is framed out, the stem may be bound to a stick, surmounted by a small, 



solid knob of moss, and the 

 upper portion of the bou- 

 quet can be thrust through 

 the latter and fixed. The 

 bulk of the flowers should 

 drape downwards, and all 

 ought to be tightly put 

 together, forming a ground- 

 work, and hiding the wires 

 with maidenhair fern. 

 About three long sprays, 

 and several shorter ones, of 

 Asparagus plumosus nanus 

 completes the bouquet. 



If the wire- stems used 

 on either kind of bouquet 

 are too bulky, reduce them 

 to different lengths and bind 

 them tightly to the stem. 

 Bouquet-paper ought not 

 to be very conspicuous, as 

 their primary use should 

 be to strengthen and hide 

 the stems. Shower, as well 

 as ordinary, bouquet-papers 

 can be bought in different 

 sizes, but larger openings 

 have to be made in most of 



them for the stems to pass through. Bouquet-holders (for the handles) are very cheap, 

 and give a better finish than does a binding of either white or silvered paper. Narrow 

 ribbon is good for tying tightly round the holders to prevent their slipping, and long 



Fig. 200. Shower Bouquet. 

 (By Mr. Perkins, Coventry.) 



