FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS. 
83 
upon the top. This may be purchased from the horti- 
cultural sundriesman and others, and if there is a difficulty 
in acquiring it or a sufficient number, the operator may 
easily make them out of a piece of wire netting with a 
small mesh. It should be made in shape to suit the 
receptacle for which it is intended, and may be held in 
position by fixing lengths of wire equi-distant on the sides 
of the netting, bringing these down, and fastening round 
the stem of the vase itself. With this simple contrivance 
as a base, one may speedily make a most delightful floral 
picture, covering the wire with greenery or trailing material. 
The “ Corona ” wire arrangement is excellent for this 
purpose. 
Colour Harmonies and Contrasts. — As far as 
possible, arrange the flowers with full consideration for 
their artistic association. See that either a pleasing or 
striking contrast be made, and give special thought to 
the harmonious association of colours in blends. Observe 
the same rules in deciding this matter, as was suggested in 
the planting out for effect of the early kinds, in the open 
border, dealt with in another chapter. It cannot be too 
strongly emphasized how necessary it is to use colours of 
the very best. The tinted flowers and “washy” colours, 
and those of less distinct shades, seldom lend themselves 
to really beautiful and artistic displays. The more de- 
cided colours always make a more effective picture, and for 
this reason, in the selection of the different colours, see 
that they are represented by distinct shades. 
Sometimes a decoration of one colour only may be made 
distinctly attractive and novel, or different shades of one 
particular colour, such as yellow ; using primrose, canary 
yellow, and rich yellow in association, and so on through the 
different shades of colour. This same rule may be observed, 
and the arrangement of the decorations indoors varied from 
time to time. It is a great mistake to confine one’s self to 
just one or two colours throughout the season, as by these 
means the display is likely to become somewhat monotonous. 
But, by varying the colours from time to time, for one period 
using a contrast, succeeding this with a blend of colours, and 
