PRACTICAL HINTS ON FLORAL WORK. 145 
are not willing to pay the higher prices demanded at Christmas, and who 
if they do of necessity buy flowers at way-up prices, will generally remem- 
ber it against yon, although you may not have made anything on the 
work yourself. 
For decorating in houses, smilax, holly and ground pine wreathing 
are desirable. Use the wreathing for outlining with smilax for lighter 
touches. A lattice-work design of holly for over doors, or over the upper 
part of mirrors, will be good, as also horse-shoes of the same, with berries 
arranged in clusters, similar to arrangement on page 7 1 . 
For dark wall papers, snow and frost effects are lovely. They are 
produced by spreading tufts of cotton batting over evergreen boughs and 
decorating in whatever way desired. Sprinkle the cotton with "dia- 
mond " dust. 
Mottoes and texts are demanded for church decorations, such as : 
" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward 
men ;" " Hosauna to the son of David ;" "Alleluia ;" " God is Love ;" 
' ' Glory be to God on high ;" " Thou art the King of Glory ;' , " Unto us a 
Child is born, unto us a Son is given ;" "Behold! thy King cometh." 
These can be made of boucpaet green, holly or evergreens ; or, make the 
letters of paste-board, cover with white cotton, and sprinkle with frosting ; 
place them against a background of evergreen sprigs, or other dark sur- 
face. 
For other ideas : A star of holly, with wreath of red immortelles in 
center ; a fiat star of red with a crown of Cape flowers. Solid wreaths of 
red immortelles are good for bits of brilliant coloring. 
L,aurel wreathing, and palm leaves from the South, are admirable for 
large decorations, and help out on the plant question exceedingly. No 
florist likes to expose his choice palms and plants to injury at this season 
of the year unless he is w T ell paid for it. Evergreens in pots, planted in 
early fall and wintered in a cold house where frost does not enter, make a 
good substitute. Aucuba Japonica is also decidedly useful, as cold does 
not affect it much. 
