September 22, 1881. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 271 
cupboard and upon the wall shelves. Perhaps there are few 
things more difficult than the selection of these indispensable 
adjuncts to floral decoration by the uninitiated ; so varied are the 
forms and so charming the colours set forth in tempting array at 
the china shop, that even exnerienced hands are not unfrequently 
led to purchase articles that prove unsuitable for a given purpose. 
Coloured flower stands should if possible always be avoided, for 
if they are used flowers must be chosen to harmonise with them, 
and so our selection would always be unduly restricted. White 
stands are of course admissible; but the most useful are un¬ 
doubtedly those of transparent glass, which, although colourless, 
yet when filled with clear water impart an air of brightness that 
mingles most pleasantly with the varied charms of the flowers. 
Of all forms fish globes are the most useful for the dinner table, 
and the flower-room cupboard should contain a complete set of 
them, consisting of a dozen of each of the larger sizes and five or 
six dozen of each of the smaller ones downward to those that will 
not contain more water than a teacup. A single globe of the 
largest size answers admirably for the centre of a circular table, 
just as three or more do for a long table. The smaller sizes all 
prove useful in turn, being used either singly in circles around 
the large ones, or in groups in a variety of ways. My meaning 
will perhaps be most readily understood by those whose resources 
are frequently severely taxed to impart a distinct character to a 
series of consecutive table decorations. A considerable number 
of circular wooden blocks of various thicknesses and diameters to 
suit the different globes, all of them covered with dark crimson 
plush, are used to elevate the globes above the tablecloth, salvers 
of glass mirrors set in silver being sometimes used for the large 
central globes. 
Of other table stands what are known as Marsh stands are still 
used in the plain forms in which they were originally brought 
before the public. Various modifications have found favour 
according to the promptings of individual taste or fancy ; a 
favourite one of medium size, consisting of a bottom saucer for 
sand, from the centre of which springs a single water vase, is very 
useful. Glass baskets are also useful ; so, too, are the small slender 
glass vases suitable for a single Rose, or two or three trusses of 
smaller flowers, of which mention was made on page 237. They are 
very elegant and are usually frosted. Iridescent and crackled glass 
vases are very beautiful—so beautiful that they are usually found 
in sitting-rooms, but there should be one or two sets for dinner-table 
work, and they are not expensive. For corridors, vestibules, land¬ 
ings of wide roomy stairs, and various nooks and corners, gigantic 
china vases 2 or 3 feet high are best for standing upon the floor ; 
but if there are tables or brackets, then there is nothing better 
than large china bowls filled if possible with fragrant flowers. 
What is more liked than a bowl of Sweet Pea blossom, or Migno¬ 
nette. Honeysuckle, Lily of the Valley, Harebell, Roses, Violets, 
or Primroses ? All are welcomed in their seasons. Depend upon 
it, it is not the costly Orchid or other rare flowers requiring ex¬ 
pensive glass structures for their culture that are most often in 
favour even in a palace. There is a craving for the “ old-fashioned 
flowers ” of our childhood, and only a selection of those of the most 
easy culture are needful to carry on the work of decoration well. 
Of Roses we cannot have too many, especially of Moss Roses, 
Damask, Cabbage, Gloire de Dijon, and Marechal Niel. Let there 
be plenty of Sweet Peas—not small clumps, but long rows in 
succession throughout summer and autumn. I have now two rows, 
one on each side of a path some 200 feet long, just bursting into 
bloom, forming an avenue of sweetness and affording a bountiful 
supply of cut flowers. Anemones, Zinnias, Asters, Scabious, pink 
and white Mallow, Love-in-a-Mist, pink and white Canterbury 
Bells, Columbines, Cornflowers, Larkspurs, Lupins, Pinks, Carna¬ 
tions, Picotees, Myosotis are all highly valued for the rich supply 
of cut flowers which they afford, every one of which can be turned 
to account for decorative purposes.— Edward Luckhurst. 
This is a subject I have long been interested in as concerns 
gardeners. I believe it is a fact that a large number have little 
taste, because taste i3 not cultivated. I have often had flowers 
provided me by gardeners who have ample resources, and have 
often received only such that could be bought for a trifle in the 
market. This is what I entirely object to. If, for instance, I send 
flowers to a friend I want a selection chiefly of those not to be 
obtained by that friend as he goes along the street. All these 
flowers are no doubt beautiful in themselves, and I merely wish to 
instance the limitation of taste. The flowers are often acceptable 
enough ; but what disappoints me so much is, that some of the 
best kinds for the purpose are entirely omitted, and the duty of 
supnly is considered accomplished if the selection is limited to a 
few bright colours with a few sprays of Adiantum cuneatum, 
as if there were no other pretty foliage in existence. Again, if 
you have flowers sent in at intervals the very same kinds are sent 
in over and over again, while there are hosts of others to provide 
a change—perhaps something particularly good ; but all these are 
passed over, apparently because they do not belong to a regular 
set. To receive anything in season outside the houses or flower 
garden is too often out of the question. 
My opinion is that many gardeners have no proper knowledge 
of the floral wealth of this country. They do not, for instance, as 
a rule acquaint themselves with herbaceous plants. Lately these 
hardy flowers have received a slight from someone actually con¬ 
demning them on the strength—rather weak, I imagine—of some 
seen where they have no reputation for cultivating them. I say 
cultivating them, because while common they are very rarely cul¬ 
tivated, and less often perhaps intelligently selected. The expres¬ 
sion “herbaceous plants ” might well be given up, because it has 
become like a red rag to one sex of a bovine species, and often 
appears to prevent interest in the class, which has got a bad name 
and is hung without trial. We often find that those who strongly 
condemn herbaceous plants do actually cultivate a number of them 
under some other head, quite forgetting what they are. By the 
expression is too often understood only the bad and useless. 
If I am asked why there is so little taste among gardeners, I 
answer that few have any artistic education. Some are of course 
endowed with natural taste, but others can acquire taste in no 
other way than by systematic study. How few there are who 
undertake this ! It is, indeed, extremely important, because the 
class whom gardeners serve have of late years greatly grown in 
taste, and if gardeners are to interest their employers they must 
be able to show the beauties of their outdoor establishments. I 
have met with many well able to appreciate what they cannot 
obtain, except by asking, from the average gardener of the pre¬ 
sent day. Turning to Mr. Luckhurst’s article which has excited 
these remarks I find that he has treated well of floral arrangement, 
but how can anyone arrange tastefully without an appreciation 
of the materials at command ?—R. I. L. 
A WEEK IN LONDON. 
Travelling through the country I found little to interest me 
uutil I reached Derbyshire, when I was much pleased with the 
grand scenery in that county. I have never travelled before on 
the midland route from Manchester to London, and I never before 
found so much of Nature’s handiwork to interest and render 
a weary railway journey attractive. This county was beautiful, 
with frequent fields of grain, and large towering hills rising 
to a great height, and the sides covered with Firs. The county of 
Derby appears from what I saw of it to be a fine field in which the 
landscape gardener may study Nature. After leaving this county 
I found but little of interest further on the journey until the 
great metropolis was reached. It was then night, and dark, 
and when passing over Blackfriars Bridge the Thames Embank¬ 
ment was pointed out to me, and so beautiful it looked, illumi¬ 
nated with the electric light, that I was tempted to go and see 
it again. The young trees are doing well, and a good authority 
informed me that these trees retain their foliage longer than any 
other trees in London. I have certainly never seen anything 
to equal the Embankment in any provincial town. London 
is much different from what many expect to find it, and I 
must say I was rather surprised to see the thousands of trees, 
young and old, growing in the streets. At every turn, in every 
street in the suburbs, trees abound. The Plane (Platanus ori- 
entalis) appears to thrive well, grows rapidly, and retains its 
fine bold green foliage until frosts occur. Limes are also 
largely planted, but the foliage was almost gone, and the trees 
presented quite an autumnal appearance. It would be interesting 
to know how the Plane would do in the northern counties. If it 
is sufficiently hardy it would prove a valuable tree for the neigh¬ 
bourhood of smoky towns. The Robinia also grows luxuriantly 
in the environs of London. The various roads and streets present 
quite a different appearance from those round any provincial 
town I have seen. What with the trees and the little garden in 
front of nearly every house, and the houses festooned and draped 
with Virginian Creepers, quite a lively and country-like appear¬ 
ance is produced, and never before have I seen this fine old 
creeper grown so largely and effectively. The enthusiasm that 
evidently prevails for flowers is very striking, and every small 
garden is decorated with flowering and other plants ; this no doubt 
is due in a large measure to the flowers and flower-garden deco¬ 
rations in the parks. I wonder why provincial towns do not 
follow the example of London, and adorn their parks for the 
enjoyment of the public. I have visited many, and scarcely ever 
is a flower to be seen. A friend told me a short time ago he had 
been visiting Liverpool and one of its parks, which was one of 
