229 



occasion, or that a bouquet in the hand of a 

 corpse only serves to make death appear more hide- 

 ous, does not change the rule that these simple gifts 

 of nature are most perfect ornaments of the parlor 

 and the most touching emblems at the grave. If it 

 is true that a desire for display is oifensively appar- 

 ent and shocks us at the funeral service, yet in 

 general this use of flowers is wholesome and should be 

 encouraged. Our aim should be that this use should 

 be improved and the public taste be educated and 

 refined. 



Florists have a work to do in this regard. For 

 example take the prevailing style of flower pieces 

 in New York. It is the offspring of this general 

 desire for coarse, stiff, vulgar, unnatural display. 

 " An even surface, " is the inflexible rule. And so 

 the wide faced Camellia and the tiny Cyclamen, the 

 delicate rose-bud and the ragged Carnation are 

 built up with Lycopodium, to a solid, even surface 

 and thus the poor innocent flowers are so transformed 

 from their true nature as to glare any sensitive soul 

 quite out of countenance. This arbitrary rule applies 

 to bouquets, baskets and all kinds of work, to a sur- 

 prising degree. As a consequence, naturalness and 

 grace are at once and forever abandoned qualities ; 

 size and color are the sine qua non ; long stems are 

 shortened, short stems are wired up, the Camellia 

 is advanced to the rank of queen and the modest 

 Ericas and Steviaare lost in the dazzling brilliancy. 

 Undoubtedly this style favors the utmost breadth 

 and contrast of color and is the most economical use 

 of material. It also allows great variety in form, 

 curious shapes and devices, hearts, crowns, mono- 

 grams, initials, ribbons, &c., &c. In some cases 

 and to a degree these unnatural and artistic effects 

 are striking and pleasing. They are clear and posi- 

 tive and unmistakable in their character. On the 

 lawn or in the garden, we feel the necessity for dis- 

 tinctness, breadth and strength of color. To this 

 end the ribbon style of planting is to some extent 

 in vogue. Harmony and distinctness in color 

 are equally desirable in flower pieces, but the work 

 need not, nay, must not be staring and obtrusive. 

 Let the motto be naturalness, and the highest art 

 will be attained. Seek in all work to preserve as 

 far as is possible the individuality and characteris- 

 tics of each flower. The true beauty and the true 

 meaning and influence of flowers will then be felt. Or, 

 if otherwise, if flowers are arranged merely for gaudy 

 show, then in time their use will to some extent 

 become vulgar and be in a degree coupled with gaudy 

 tapestry and gilded walls and pretentious paintings 

 and other glaring insignias of the suddenly rich. 

 While New Ycrk and Philadelphia are in advance 



of Boston in the extent and skilful culture and gen- 

 erous use of flowers, I must be permitted to add 

 that an important lesson may be learned from the 

 latter city in taste and art in using these floral pro- 

 ducts. 



A practical and important point remains to be 

 considered. It has been stated that a large pro- 

 portion of flowers used, were for the purpose of 

 display or because custom required it. The result 

 of inquiries leads me to estimate that nearly one- 

 half of all the flowers sold in New York are for balls 

 and festive occasions, which is a much larger pro- 

 portion than in Boston. Probably about forty per 

 cent are for bridal and funeral purposes, the 

 latter being considerably in excess of the former. 

 But when you ask what proportion of flowers are 

 bought in single pieces, for nosegays, or as small 

 bouquets for quiet home enjoyment, you are told 

 that the amount is so inconsiderable that most 

 dealers do not care to trouble themselves with this 

 small item. Instead of finding the largest use in 

 this true way, it is considered an insignificant and 

 scarcely desirable branch. For this result the florist, 

 the dealer and the public are answerable in common. 

 Heretofore flowers have been produced at too high 

 cost. They have been grown in costly houses, or 

 on a limited scale, so that only a reasonable profit 

 has been realized when the shopmen have retailed 

 Camellias at an average of 50 cents, Koses at 12 to 

 20 cents, Carnations at 10 or 12 cents, Bouvardias, 

 Heliotrope, Eupatorium, and trusses of similar 

 character at about 6 cents. Now these prices do 

 not seem high and yet they are too high to allow 

 the common use by common people and in gener- 

 ous quantity. But this is the use which is most 

 genuine and healthful — by far the most important 

 to the public, and we can but think it may be made 

 a large interest to the florist, provided he will do his 

 part in elevating the public taste and meeting this 

 honest enjoyment of flowers at reasonable prices. 

 Steps are taken in this direction, especially by the 

 Germans around New York, who grow cheap flow- 

 ers, which are made into nosegays by the house- 

 wife and which are sold, at the ferries, hotels and 

 in the streets, during the warm months, at 10 to 25 

 cents each. This is well ; but this is not sufficient. 

 A higher grade of flowers should be brought into 

 use and the principle should be applied to the win- 

 ter months als >. That there is no difficulty n doing 

 this, we may easily see. 



Take the cases of Mr. John Henderson, of Flush- 

 ing, and Mr. Peter Henderson of South Bergen near 

 New York. Each gentleman has extensive ranges 

 of cheap house'*, where immense quantities of flow- 



