FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS. 
85 
extent, but varying them in such a way that, viewed from any 
quarter, the floral picture is a creation that is pleasing and 
interesting. The large, fine spikes of beautiful grasses which 
may be gathered from field and hedgerow, should be fixed up 
in the vase in such a way that they stand out well above the 
flowers, in this way also assisting in relieving the somewhat 
large and formal blooms of any heaviness or dumpiness that 
they may appear to possess. 
Trailing Foliage. — To overhang the sides of vases 
or entwine around the handles of baskets and to trail across 
the table-cloth in the table decorations, the richly-coloured 
sprays of Ampelopsis — which is not confined to one variety 
only, but of which there are several varieties that may be had 
in various tints of colour — will give a finish that nothing else 
seems capable of doing. 
Autumn*tinted Foliage. — The brambles, too, in 
the autumn, are very richly coloured, and they may be 
used for the same purpose ; in fact, there is a wealth 
of material available at this season which may be acquired 
at little or no cost by taking a walk through the country 
lanes, where oak, beech, and numberless richly-coloured 
pieces of beautiful foliage may be gathered to enrich the 
table at home. Berries, too, are invaluable. Crowding 
should at all times be avoided, and every flower should be 
so arranged that its beauty of form and colour may be 
seen in its adjustment in the vase, etc. 
Hand-Baskets. — Hand-baskets filled with moss and 
blooms wired and stuck into this are quickly and easily 
arranged, and there are now to be had sharply-pointed zinc 
cones which may be placed in an inverted position in 
the moss, and those filled with water. Flowers arranged 
in them will keep the decoration fresh for quite a long 
time. It is somewhat difficult to express in words all 
that one feels regarding this matter, an ocular demonstra- 
tion being so much more convincing than a lot of advice. 
Hints to Exhibitors. — When setting up bunches of 
the garden or decorative kinds in competitions, do not 
