FLORAL DECORATIONS. 
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There are times in all our lives when the heart is joyous, and its rapturous throbs make the 
eyes sparkle with delight, and wreath the face with smiles. We delight to give expression to 
this joy in kind acts and pleasant words, in adorning our homes with garlands and flowers, in 
presenting our loved ones with bouquets and other marks of regard. The " Merry Christmas " 
and the "Happy New Year," Charley's return from school, the baby's birthday, and sister's 
wedding, must all be honored, and how so innocently, so tastefully, so sweetly as with garlands 
of flowers ? Then the church and school room must be trimmed, and mottoes be made, by 
fingers which know nothing of the painter's art, and that have not fashioned a Roman capital 
since they printed letters to little friends, long, long ago. We will endeavor to show how it is 
done, with the aid of a few illustrations, and hope to make the subject so plain that all may 
understand, and with a little practice become expert in the art of Floral Decoration. 
FORMING LETTERS. 
The forming of letters neatly and rapidly is no mean accomplishment, and those who possess 
this art are almost invaluable at all festive gatherings. How beautiful the word " Welcome," on 
some occasions; and " Peace on Earth," will be new and glorious every Christmas. These 
letters are usually made of dry or Everlasting Flowers and dry moss, cedar or other evergreens. 
Obtain heavy straw board at the book or paper stores, as 
shown in Figure 1, and mark out the letters with a pencil, 
Determine the height you wish the letters, and divide that 
into six equal parts by drawing lines entirely across the 
board, as shown in Figure 2. Four of these divisions will 
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of most letters, as seen by tl 
same figure. The few letters th 
vary from this can be correct 
made by the following arrang 
ment. Suppose the letters l 
six inches high, then four inches would be the proper width for 
D, H, N, O, P, Q, R, S, U, Z; four and a half inches wide for A, G, K, T, V, X, Y, &; the 
letter M should be five inches, W six inches, E, F, L three and a half inches, J three inches, and 
I one inch wide. By this arrangement letters of any size can be made by simply dividing the 
height iuto six sections, and using four such sections for the ordinary width of the letters, varying 
the width to suit the other letters, as already shown, and always making the letters one section ni 
thickness. (See engraving. No. 2.) Letters made by this rule look rather thin, but when covered 
with flowers or evergreens they are just what is wanted. The letters being cut from the straw- 
board with a sharp knife or strong shears, are 
ready to be covered. This can be done by tying 
with dark thread, small branches of evergreens 
over the face of the board, with a few Everlasting 
Flowers or bright berries to relieve the sombre 
color. Better letters, however, can be made with 
dry moss and Everlasting Flowers, as shown in 
figure 3. Tie the moss over the face of the letter 
as evenly as possible, then cut the stems of the 
flowers short, leaving only about half an inch. Dip the stem in a little paste, and insert it in the 
moss, and when dry it will remani secure. W^e have made very pretty letters by covering the 
board with Gomphrenas, or Immortelles, fastened lo it with thick paste. Crosses, or any desired 
form, can be made in the same M^ay as letters. 
MAKING FLORAL DESIGNS. 
Flowers are arranged in many beautiful forms, suitable to almost every occasion. In the 
hands of the skillful florist they are made to speak words of hope to sorrowing hearts, and sing 
songs of joy in the hour of gladness. These Floral designs can be ordered of any professional 
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