506 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 12, 1890. 
which come out well under artificial light. A bride’s 
bouquet should be composed of all white flowers of the 
choicest kinds, and the purer the better ; do not use 
any that have spots or bands of orange, yellow, brown, 
&c., for however choice they may be, they mar the 
beauty, and take away that chaste appearance which 
should be the leading feature in bouquets of this 
description. Unfortunately, these markings too often 
occur amongst many of our choicest stove flowers and 
Orchids. 
In the making up of a bouquet I am not going to 
define any set rule, but I will give you my modus 
operandi, which has often been the means of bringing 
my arrangements to the front when placed upon the 
exhibition table. Having the requisite flowers at hand, 
which should previously have been wired, with a small 
handful of moss and a ball of twine, I commence by 
selecting a good, bold flower, such as a Eucharis, 
Pancratium, Rose, or Gardenia. This I use as a centre 
flower, and having bound sufficient moss around it to 
prevent the next flowers from overlapping or unduly 
crowding, I usually start with smaller individual or 
trusses of flowers in threes. Generally speaking, twos, 
threes, or six flowers will complete the first circle. I 
now introduce three or five light sprays, according to 
the weight of my base flowers, and let them stand out 
boldly from the rest; these are what we term stick-ups. 
Any medium-sized flowers may be used in the next 
circle, unless a large bouquet is aimed at. These I use 
again in threes or fives, according to the variety I have 
at hand ; the reason for this is to keep the arrangement 
well balanced. I again introduce a little moss to 
prevent crowding, and bind each flower firmly so that it 
has no chance to move after once placed. I now 
introduce some more stick-ups, and then commence the 
outer circle of the base with good, bold flowers. These 
really mark the boundary line, but not too formal ; a 
few more light pieces of flower outside the circle of large 
flowers have a good effect if allowed to droop gracefully 
on the edging of Fern. All that now remains is to add 
a few light pieces of A. cuneatum and A. gracillimum 
for stick-ups. These I introduce immediately behind 
the centre flower and allow to droop gracefully over the 
other flowers. As an edging, Asparagus plumosus 
makes a capital substitute for any of the Maidenhairs, 
and stands much longer. Bouquet papers are not 
much in favour just now, but they have the advantage 
of keeping the arrangement more intact, and if used 
judiciously meed not be seen. 
Buttonhole Bouquets. 
Flowers most suitable for buttonhole bouquets should 
not range above a medium size, neatness being one of 
the leading characteristics to be observed in the making 
up of such. Every flower should be wired after re¬ 
moving most of the natural stem, otherwise an arrange¬ 
ment when complete will be found to be too large in 
the stem for an ordinary buttonhole. This also has 
other advantages, as you can fix a flower in any assigned 
position, and there is no danger of the heads being 
broken off, which often occurs in Roses, &c.; it likewise 
shows every flower to the best advantage, without 
crowding, consequently requiring less flowers. What¬ 
ever kind of foliage is used should also be wired, or it 
will be found very difficult to maintain in position 
chiefly as a background to the flowers. We have a 
great variety of flowers suited to the purpose, amongst 
which perhaps those with perfume are most highly 
prized, such as Lily of the Valley, Violets, Tea Roses, 
Tuberoses, Stephanotis, and Gardenias, although the 
latter is to some persons a little too powerful. 
Carnations, too, are greatly appreciated by many, and 
if backed by some of its own grass makes a very nice 
buttonhole by itself. Asparagus plumosus and A. 
tenuissimus, also Adiantum cuneatum and A. 
gracillimum, are very suitable as accompanying 
greenery to these flowers. The Fern fronds should be 
well matured or they will not last, and of a pale green 
colour, and previous to use should be immersed 
in cold water for several hours. Many of our 
popular Orchids, such as Odontoglossums, Den- 
drobiums, Oncidiums, &c., are very suitable 
flowers, and they remain fresh a long time, Asparagus 
tenuissumus being very suitable to use as a background 
to these. In regard to the arrangement, it almost 
entirely depends upon the size required by the wearer. 
Some prefer a single flower, as a Rose or Gardenia, with 
its own foliage simply, while others like as many as 
three Roses or Carnations. I think our Tea Roses are 
exquisite for the purpose, as they give us such a variety 
of beautiful colours, and may be had throughout the 
entire year. If two or three nice buds are arranged with 
small fairy buds, and either backed with Rose foliage or 
Maidenhair Fern, we have a buttonhole bouquet that 
few will despise. Take a Gardenia or two or three 
medium-sized Tuberoses, and arrange at back and front 
of flowers a light spray or two of white or pinkBouvardia, 
backed with Maidenhair of the pale green description, 
and you have at once a chaste and delicate arrangement. 
One of the sweetest and at the same time simplest 
buttonhole bouquet arrangements that I am acquainted 
with consists of Tuberoses and Forget-me-nots, or 
Tabernsemontana, and the latter mounted in the usual 
way ■with Maidenhair. Ivy leaves with a good bronzy 
colour come out in good relief with the same kind of 
flowers, as also with Violets or a combination of Violets 
and Lily of the Valley. The latter makes a very pretty 
coat flower in conjunction with its own foliage. A small 
piece of silver paper should be bound round the stems 
of each buttonhole bouquet; this not only hides the 
wires but prevents pricking the hand of the wearer. 
-- 
THE AMARYLLIS AT UPPER 
HOLLOWAY. 
It seems that these popular garden flowers have been 
late in coming into bloom this year, but compensation 
is found in the superiority of the foliage, which 
certainly enhances the effect of the flowers. By getting 
the plants into bloom early, the flower stems present 
the appearance of a forest tree trunk with the naked 
blooms on the top. We have seen Amaryllis under 
both conditions, and certainly prefer that the flowers 
should be accompanied by foliage, as were those of 
Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, when 
we saw them the other day. The flower stems were 
also wonderfully dwarf on an average. 
Self-coloured Flowers. 
One of the largest flowers we noted was that named 
Emperor Frederick, one scape of which carried four 
brilliant crimson-scarlet flowers, with a broad white 
band down the centre of each segment ; while a second 
scape from the same plant will expand its flowers some 
weeks hence, and so keep up a succession. The blooms 
of Lothair were almost as large, with spreading and 
recurved segments traversed for two-thirds of their 
length with a white band. Distinction is characterised 
by the shortness and bluntness of its segments, which 
are crimson netted with a darker shade, and give the 
flower a stiff and regularly rounded appearance. Four 
of them were borne on a scape, and although not so 
large as the above-mentioned kinds, they would accord 
more with the florist’s ideal. Mrs. C. Walford is 
another choice and well-marked kind of a brilliant 
scarlet, with a very narrow white line surrounding the 
segments, besides the white six-rayed star. Apollo is 
also brilliant scarlet, but lined with deep crimson in 
the throat, and has pointed segments. The flowers of 
President Harrison are crimson, reticulated with a 
darker shade, and of great size. 
The old Empress of India is still a choice kind, and 
worthy of retention in collections. It is floriferous and 
richly coloured. Dr. Masters is another kind of some 
years’ standing, and which will continue to grace 
collections for years to come on account of its dwarf 
habit and the rich dark crimson colour of its flowers. 
The latter are campanulate with a very short tube, and 
are somewhat rugose on the surface or raised in little 
squares, which gives them a peculiarly rich and attrac¬ 
tive appearance. In the square markings, the shape of 
the flower, the small size of the bulb, and the dwarf 
habit of the plant, this variety seems to bear a strong 
relationship to Hippeastrum pardinum, but vastly 
different in the richness of its colours. An impro vement 
upon this is, however, met with in Grandidens, which 
has larger flowers, broader segments, especially the 
outer ones, and all shaded on the lower part with 
intensified crimson. A very noticeable and quite 
unusual character is the finely wavy or crisped margins 
which have no doubt given rise to the name. The 
margins are not toothed, however, although apparently 
so. The flowers of Dr. Masters are quite plain on the 
margin. A most unusual colour amongst flowers of 
this class is presented by J. R. Pitcher, which for want 
of a better term we should describe as dark claret, 
faintly reticulated with darker veins. The flowers are 
funnel shaped and come into bloom very early. Dr. 
Barnardo is noted for the great length of its flowers, due 
to the fact that the segments are almost straight, and 
regularly ascending. The segments are of an intense 
red, shaded with a dark crimson hue, and like those of 
J. R. Pitcher, are very distinct in this respect. 
Striped and Shaded Flowers. 
Few will deny the fine effect produced by large self- 
coloured flowers either crimson or scarlet, or a combi¬ 
nation of the two ; but in such a collection a few of the 
lighter and striped varieties have the effect of enlivening 
the deeper hues of the dark seifs, and even of adding 
to the beauty of the latter by contrast. Princess 
Dagmar is rather an old kind, but still very choice in 
its way. The flowers are short and widely expanded, 
deep crimson-red, and much lined with pure white on 
the lower half. General Boulanger is a scarlet sort, 
much lined with white, and very attractive. Mrs. 
Rawson is equally so, but the ground colour is a brilliant 
red or crimson. Cassandra is of a brilliant crimson with 
a few broad white lines and bands. The scape was only 
1 ft. high. Joseph Broom is a crimson sort, reticulated 
with a darker shade, and much shaded with rose 
towards the margin. 
-- 
PLANT LIFE. 
(Continued from p. 491. J 
How, in order that the changes mentioned may take 
place, it is in the highest degree essential that leaves 
should be exposed to the influence of light, or no proper 
assimilation of the various matters taken up by the 
plant can be effected. For instance, if a plant be put 
into the dark it becomes blanched in consequence of 
the non-development of the green colouring matter, 
and, moreover, no woody matter is formed. The effect 
of the absence of light on plants is well shown when a 
Potato tuber sprouts in the dark, in which case the 
whole of the tissues formed become blanched, and 
ultimately die. When Potatos are reared with an 
insufficient supply of light, as in an orchard or under 
trees, the tubers are found to be watery, in consequence 
of the small quantity of starch then produced. 
Another illustration of the effect produced by the 
absence of light is seen in growing vegetables for the 
table, such as Sea Kale, Celery, Lettuce, &c. In these 
cases, when the plants are grown freely exposed to 
light (as under natural conditions), they form abun¬ 
dance of woody matter, which renders them tough and 
stringy ; they also develop peculiar secretions, which are 
either unpleasant to the taste or absolutely injurious. 
But the formation of these secretions and of woody 
matter is prevented by shutting out the access of light, 
and the plants then become useful vegetables. For 
this same reason the plants of warm and tropical 
regions, where the light is much more intense than in 
this or other cold and temperate regions, are commonly 
remarkable for the powerful nature of their secretions 
and the richer flavour of their fruits. Therefore it 
happens frequently when a plant of a warm or tropical 
region is transported to this or any other country in 
which the intensity of the light is much less than in 
its native home, the secretion is not formed at all or in 
diminished quantity. Even if such plants are placed 
in hothouses, where they may be submitted to their 
native heat, they do not flourish to their proper extent, 
because light is the main agent concerned in their 
formation, and we cannot increase the intensity of 
light, as we can that of heat, by artificial means. 
Whilst upon the effect of light on plants, I would 
state that experiments have been made testing the 
effect of the electric light upon the growth of plants, 
which proves that this light aids their growth, increases 
the brilliancy of the flowers, and promotes the ripening 
of fruits. Sir W. Siemens, by sowing seeds of rapidly- 
growing plants, and exposing them to the same con¬ 
ditions with the exception of light, found those grown 
in the dark soon faded and withered ; those exposed to 
daylight, with a fair share of sunlight, were vigorous 
and of a good green colour ; but those exposed to the 
electric light for six hours per day only, being in dark¬ 
ness the other eighteen hours, were vigorous though 
less green ; while those exposed to daylight and electric 
light successively were most vigorous, and the green of 
their leaves of a darker hue. 
We noticed briefly in passing that leaves perform a 
system of transpiration, by which superfluous moisture 
is given off. This important function has been the 
subject of various experiments, which show that a Sun¬ 
flower 3£ ft. high, weighing 3 lbs., exhaled in this way 
on an average 20 ozs. of fluid in twenty-four hours ; a 
Cabbage plant, with a surface of 2,736 square ins., 
about 19 ozs. a day ; and a Vine with a surface of 
1,820 square ins., 5 ozs. to 6 ozs. a day. How, if such 
a large amount of fluid be thus given off by single 
plants, what an incalculable quantity must be exhaled 
by the whole vegetation of the globe ! Seeing these 
facts, it can be readily understood that the air of a 
thickly-wooded district will be always in a damp con¬ 
dition, while that of one with scanty vegetation will be 
comparatively free from moisture, and hence it will be 
seen that a country, to be perfectly healthy, should 
