The Decohaiion of Parlors and Living Rooms -svith Orn^- 
MENTAL Plants and Flowers. 
A subject like this is one of intense interest to the American flower loving 
public. Formerly little was done in the encouragement of it, because we all, 
like amateurs, and beginners, knew little of the best planTs and metiiods, and 
waited to learn from those more experienced; but of late, amateurs, in their 
eager zeal for window and room decorations, have taken in hand their own im- 
patient fancies, and led the way with experiments and trials of their own, 
while the florists everywhere look with admiration and respect upon the wide 
spreading taste for window and parlor gardening. Tiie amateurs have out- 
stripped the pi-ofessionals in the rapidity of their progress, and the prettiest rooms 
to-day are embellished by the fingers of a fair plant lover, who a year before did 
not know one flower from another. 
To speak with truth, nothing is prettier, more elegant, and in many respects 
easier, than the decoration of our parlors, reception rooms, halls, etc., with ap- 
propriate plants and flowers. 
The verj^ pictures, statues, vases, chandeliers, and other permanent ornaments, 
allow room for the exhibition of many kinds and varieties of beautiful plants. 
In such rooms, however elegantly furnished, is the proper })lace for fine 
Aquaria, Wardiajt Cases, Flower Stands, Wire Arbors for climbing plants, 
flower baskets, or hanging baskets iiung up between the curtains 
Flowers used for decoration will liarmonize completely with any architecture 
or furniture of the parlor. Indeed, was there ever any flower out of place in a 
beautiful room ? 
A tasteful and carefully arranged composition of plants will captivate for a 
)ng time the love, attention and admiration of all classes of society. 
Few American writers have devoted much attention to this subject, and we 
cannot now recall a single article in our horticultural literature which treats in 
detail of the use of plants for room decoration; but in English and Continental 
journals the topic is a common one, doubtless from the more extensive use of 
costly plants at parties, receptions, and large social gatherings. It is one of tho 
higher branches of the florist's occupation, and really an art for the display of 
the most refined taste. 
William Robinson, the author of "Parks, Promenades and Gardens of Paris," 
has perhaps described the Continental system of the plant decoration of apart- 
ments more completely than any other, and refers to it in these words : — 
