Floral Decorations 
283 
each other across the centre of the table. Smaller vases 
should be placed at intervals from the centre piece. 
The arrangement of these may correspond with the out- 
line of the table. These should be filled with flowers 
correspondingly smaller than those in the centre. There 
should also be trails of Smilax, &c., round the centre and 
smaller vases, also running from the centre vase to each 
of the others. This should not be overdone, and should 
be in proportion to the size of the table. At each corner 
there should be a small vase filled with smaller flowers, 
and surrounded by trailers, which may again, if the table 
be a large one, be connected with the inner vases. Cer- 
tain points, however, must be remembered. 
1. Foliage and flowers must be selected so that the 
colours harmonize. 
2. All parts of the table must be treated lightly, so 
that no diner is hidden. 
3. The different sections must correspond with each 
other in colour, build, &c. 
A word about the gathering of the flowers may be 
useful. If this is done in the early morning, they will 
keep fresher much longer than if gathered at any other 
time. The stalks should be placed in water, and kept 
in a cool, shady place until required. 
Some of the plants with weak stems may require 
support to keep them in proper position. This is accom- 
plished by wiring, and must be carefully done, or it will 
spoil the appearance of the whole. The wire, in the 
case of roses, may be stuck into the hip, and then stalk 
and wire bound with green bast. This should effectively 
hide the wire. In the case of orchids extreme care is 
