November 26, 1885. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
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COMING EVENTS 
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Royal Society at 4.30 p.h. 
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Quekett Club at 8 p.M. 
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Royal Botanic Society at 3.45 P.M. 
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First scndat in advent. 
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Society o{ Arts at 8 P.M. 
WREATH MAKING. 
P HAVE been tempted to offer a few remarks on 
making memorial wreaths, seeing that their use 
has now become so popular. It is indeed a pro¬ 
minent branch in almost every nursery establish¬ 
ment, and one which is rapidly on the increase. 
It is not my intention in these few remarks to 
lay down any hard-and-fast rule, as this is next 
to impossible, and will depend to a great extent 
on the taste for floral arrangements which the 
operator has acquired. I wish to assist the younger members 
of the gardening community, especially those who, being in 
private establishments, do not get the insight into this work 
as do those who are educated in nurseries. Thus a few 
remarks on the rudiments of wreath-making generally from 
a practical worker may prove helpful. 
The first step after having decided the required size of 
the wreath when completed will he to form a circle, which is 
most frequently used, and for which I have adopted the name 
of “ skeleton.” These skeletons are very deceptive, and it is 
one of the commonest errors with the uninitiated to make 
these much too large, and if the supply of flowers be some¬ 
what scant the wreath in turn will present a very lean 
appearance. With a view of overcoming this I will briefly 
cite one or two examples. Presuming, then, that a wreath 
wh9n complete is r< q ured to be about 12 inches in diameter, 
the size of the skeleton on which to build it should not 
exceed 6 inches in diameter when flowers such as Chrysan¬ 
themums and Camellias are in season, but which may be 
increased to 7 or 8 inches when choice flowers, as double 
Primulas, Bouvardias, Roman Hyacinths, and Lily of the 
Valley, are employed. The diameter of the first-named may 
be a surprise to many; it is, however, fully justified by 
experience, and is more readily understood if the breadth of 
a very ordinary Chrysanthemum, Camellia, or Eucharis be 
taken into account; with a moderate-sized flower of either 
of these, and some smaller sprays to furnish the sides, and 
with Fern fringing the inner and outer margins, it will be 
seen how easily the size may be increased twofold. My idea 
of a full-sized wreath when finished and ready for use is 
15 or 16 inches in diameter (above that size I term them 
specials), and for this size a skeleton of 9 inches diameter 
will be ample. 
Having shown, then, something of how the size may be 
gauged, we muse now construct the skeleton, and for this 
purpose galvanised iron wire will be found to answer well. 
Having got this into shape and of required size, next secure 
a hazel or willow to it and round the interior. This will 
prevent the wire revolving in the hands of the operator, and 
which frequently misplaces a flower or two, thereby causing 
inconvenience and annoyance. Having secured the hazel or 
willow to the wire, some fresh green moss should be bound 
tightly over it with small twine, which when finished should 
be slightly flattened. When this is done a firm surface about 
an inch wide will be the result, and all will be ready for 
placing the flowers. There are several other ways of pre¬ 
paring these skeletons, some binding them with cotton wool, 
No. 283.—Tor,. XL, Third Series. 
which I object to, on the ground of a green base for the 
flowers to rest upon being more suitable. Further, when 
the bulk of the flowers are arranged it frequently happens 
that by inserting small choice bits here and there a great 
improvement is made in the wreath. This may be done 
easily where moss is employed as a foundation, having a 
piece of stem wire to pierce the moss, and doubling it back 
as it emerges from the opposite side secures it in position. 
When cotton wool is used it will not allow of wire passing 
through it. For these reasons, and for the fact that moss 
retains the moisture considerably longer than cotton wool, 
which robs the flowers of the little moisture which is about 
them, I am strongly in favour of a moss foundation. Wreath 
skeletons made in various sizes are sold by horticultural 
sundriesmen, but all I have seen are anything but suitable 
for the purpose. They consist of two wires arranged in 
circles at about inch apart, and fixed by about four cross 
wires. This leaves a large cavity with which it is difficult 
to deal, and also uses an immense amount of binding wire 
in the work of arranging the flowers. One of the simplest 
contrivances I have seen is made of block tin cut in circles 
about three-quarters of an inch in width, or they may be 
made of scraps and soldered together. In the latter way, 
though a little more trouble in making, they are firmer than 
when'eut out in one piece. Any tinman will make them. 
I have used these in quantity in sizes ranging from 5 to 
12 inches in diameter. 
It may not be out of place for a moment to refer to the 
arrangement of a wreath, though, as I before remarked, 
much will depend on individual taste. Presuming, then, the 
flowers are cut, such as Bouvardias, Lily of the Valley, 
Roman Hyacinths, Gardenias, Tuberoses, Eucharis, Azaleas, 
and double Primulas will need wiring, and Camellias and 
Roses will need piercing, the former on account of the custom 
to twist off the flowers with no wood attached, hence stem¬ 
less, and to prevent them from falling; and the latter to keep 
them from becoming too gaping. If at hand some small 
sprays of Cupressus Lawsoniana will be serviceable, and 
assist in the economising of Maidenhair Fern, which is 
generally a scarce article at this time of year. Begin the 
arrangement, then, by laying a spray of Cypress, and upon 
which place a frond of Maidenhair, the latter somewhat pro¬ 
truding and not too flat; then comes a Camellia, Eucharis, 
or Gardenia—or, in fact, any of the larger and more promi¬ 
nent flowers to occupy the centre, filling in the sides with 
smaller flowers. Lily of the Valley, Deutzia gracilis, and 
Roman Hyacinths do well for fringing the sides. Continue 
the use of the Cypress, and insert here and there a small 
spray of Fern, firmly binding them as you proceed, and using 
a small pinch of moss on the stems of the flowers. This will 
keep the wire from cutting the stems, and will also supply 
moisture to them. Always avoid a heavy arrangement and 
overcrowding, and allow as far as possible the flowers to 
assume their natural position. Use the flowers in as much 
variety as possible, and, if procurable, a few well-coloured 
sprays of Panicum variegatum will be found very pretty and 
effective jutting out here and there. It is productive, too, of 
lightness and elegance, which should characterise the 
arrangement throughout, and with it and Maidenhair Fern 
interspersed among the flowers a very pleasing and elegant 
wreath may be formed. In case of packing this is easily 
done by placing a stick across the skeleton, allowing it to 
rest on either side under the flowers, and attach a string to 
its centre; then make two holes in the bottom of the box, 
pass the string through and fasten securely underneath. It 
will travel safely thus, and the person unpacking it will see 
at a glance how it is secured.—J. H. E. 
THE ONION AS A REMUNERATIVE CROP. 
I AM induced to make the following remarks from reading the 
paper by “ Utilitarian ” in last week’s issue of the Journal, 
“Estimate of Vegetables—Onions.” He says “ As a crop for 
No. 1939.— Yol. LXXJIL, Old Series. 
