ffloral: uuitl ^iciori«bI Home llomjmiMGiL 
NEW YORK, APRIL, 1877. 
FLORAL DECORATION’S. 
The illustration represented upon the first page is a 
floral arrangement which is often used at an occasion 
of a French party, for hiding a doorway or large fire¬ 
place. Tall panels filled with mirrors are placed in j 
such situations. At the base'is.a. mar¬ 
ble slab; and within the fender are 
grouped varying collections of plants in 
bloom. The mode of arrangement is as 
follows: A double row is necessary, the 
taller plants standing at the back, as 
indicated by the uneven numbers, the 
lower ones being placed between each 
of the large flower-pots. Roses, Arum 
Lilies, beautiful tree Ferns, Marantas, 
and Azaleas, are used to form the back¬ 
ground, the tallest and most erect being 
placed in the. centre, and the most sweep¬ 
ing away at the end. 
1 3 5 7 9 11 
2 4 6 8 10 
For edging, nothing is so pretty as 
the Isolepis gracilis, a little hanging 
grass, which grows naturally and in ex¬ 
treme profusion. For grouping amidst 
the grass, low-growing ferns are chosen. 
Such flowers as Lilies of the Valley, 
blue Lobelias, double Violets, Forget- 
me-nots, white Anemone, and Cam¬ 
panulas, both white arid blue. For 
training up the sides, use Passion flower 
vine, a honeysuckle, or the hop vine. 
The design on first page is only slight in¬ 
dication of possible achievements. In 
the back are tall Lilies, Penstemons; in 
front, Geraniums, Deutzias, Violets, etc. A suite of 
rooms was so well decorated with this plan of floral 
arrangements that it seemed double in size, and an¬ 
other suite, a perfect counterpart, appeared to extend 
on beyond. One of the immense pier-glasses, so much 
used abroad, was placed so as to occupy the end of the 
drawing-room; at each side of this were tall thickets 
of shrubs and flowers, filling up the interstices between 
it and the walls. These thickets of shrubs came down 
in the segment of a circle at the base, so that the effect 
was perfect of another room, separated only by a mass 
of most lovely flowers. 
Upon this page is a sketch, of a Fender Basket. 
The front is constructed of wicker work. A zinc or 
tin tray is made so as to fit the basket. The ends 
rise slightly; the centre should be quite low. The 
fire-place is fitted with a mirror which reaches from 
the floor to the mantel. The fender basket, or tray, 
is filled with a mass of moss, arranged to form a soft 
swelling bank, rising very gradually. Either a heap 
of moss, or a mass of sand or cocoanut fibre, can be 
used to fill up the tin tray all around the flower 
pots, and the interstices between. The illustration 
shows Callas, Fuchsias, Begonias, as the principal 
plants; but to these might be easily added Palms, 
Acacias, Roses, and large ferns, if the fender basket is 
of sufficient width. All these form ideas upon which 
those fond of floral decorations can build and construct to 
ornament their fire-places, their mantels, mirrors, and 
doorways between rooms and niches and bay windows. 
If the zinc tray is properly made of sufficient depth, it 
can be filled with earth and sand, covered with moss, 
and the plants grow therein without pots. 
Upon page 57 is an illustration of a beautiful com¬ 
bined aquarium and plant case. Suitable rock work 
is provided withiu, and cemented together. At the sides, 
corners and back are planted lovely plants and grasses 
which will grow in moist places. The plants most 
suitable for this jrurpose are the following: Vallisnerias, 
Anacharis, Charas, the pigmy-blossomed Water Lily, 
the hawthorn-scented Aponogeton. distachyon, fresh 
green disk-shaped sheath-rooted Duck Weed, ponte- 
deria crassipes, the hollow petioles of which are smaller, 
and filled with ah’. The only earth necessary, is 
A Fender Basket. 
fibrous peat, and fresh living sphagnum, or moss. 
In the aquarium can be placed lizards, golden trout, 
frogs, and a multitude of other fish or water inhabi¬ 
tants. While flitting from branch to flower overhead 
may be butterflies and birds. The aquarium and 
plant case is very large, at least six to eight feet long 
and wide, and ten feet high. 
PUBLISHER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
Fire, Snow, Post Office.— Within the past three months a 
combination of fire in onr office, a missing bag of papers delivered to 
the post office, and the.extraordinary delays occasioned by snows and 
mails (often days and weeks behind), have utterly prevented exact 
promptness in filling orders. We usually are able to fill every order 
within forty-eight hours, but must confess, in such a combination of 
circumstances, ourreaders must exercise charity. In January letters 
from our subscribers were two weeks in reaching us—and even in 
case we tilled the order the day received, still the blockaded condition 
ot the railioads made another delay of two weeks ill (1 eiIvor!n ,r papers 
to subscribers. Our office, also, within the past month, was burned 
with a serious fire, and created serious interference. Also a bag of 
mail matter to subscribers was sent to the post office, which must 
have been lost, for we cannot otherwise explain delay of some in re¬ 
ceiving their January No. But all difficulties have been overcome 
and everything now is again “ on time.” 
Steel Plate Engraving, “ The Home of Washington.” 
—We have the past month become possessors of the plate and copy¬ 
right of this splendid and expensive Steel Plate Engraving. The cost 
of it, together with the original oil painting, has been $8,000. Wishing 
all the subscribers of the Floral CabiSet to have a copy of it, as it is 
really a gem of art, we will present a copy to every one now a sub¬ 
scriber, who will enclose to us the certificate printed upon our first 
l>age cover, before July 1st, andalso remit50 cents. This sum hardly 
pays expense and labor of forwarding; as all our subscribers know 
that we offer a poor article, and in almost every case the. real 
worth is from two to ten times the sum. we ask, we feel sure our an¬ 
nouncement of the privilege of obtaining a copy of “The Home of 
Washington” will attract confidence and attention. We guarantee 
perfect copies, printed directly by hand from the plate, equal in all 
respects to the best $25 engraving sold in this city. And if any one 
does not find it a “real treasure,” we will refund the money. Any 
one who, at this time, is a subscriber to any of our papers, for any 
length of time, or has been in the past a purchaser of any of onr books, 
etc., has the privilege, of procuring a copy. 
Chromo, “Gems of the Flower Garden.”— All editions 
of this are exhausted, and we cannot supply it any more. Subscribers 
will therefore tie supplied instead with “My Window Garden” ; or, 
“The Easter Cross,” a new and most beautiful cross of flowers. 
Renew, Renew.—Many thousand subscriptions expire with 
this number. Renew! Renew ! 1 
Only One Hollar. —All the rest of this year’s numbers, April 
to December, will be sent for only one dollar, this including also the 
steel plate engraving, “ The Glee Maiden,” worth alone 00. 
Get up Clubs.— To any one who will get up clubs for us this 
Spring, will be given these commissions towards your own paper 
free. 
To every dollar subscription, we will allow 15 cents, or to every 
subscription at $1.80, we will allow 20 cents, to be applied towards 
your'own paper free, or any book we offer in our list. These com¬ 
missions are not cash, but trade towards your own paper or book. 
A club of 7 will get you your paper one year; a club of three will 
pay for nearly six months, but every name you get besides your 
own, counts in your favor and reduces the cost of your own paper. 
MAGNIFICENT HEW FLORAE PREMIUMS. 
“The Floral Cabinet ” Collection of 
J$ ew Seedling Gladiolus. —This is a new 
collection, never before offered, grown exclusively 
for ns, which consists of twelve flowering bulbs of 
Gladiolus, one of the finest quality and most ex¬ 
quisite variety of colors. The quality of this col¬ 
lection is unequalled, and in every respect, we can 
safely guarantee them extra choice. The same 
quality of named varieties of Gladiolus, obtained of 
reliable seedsmen, would cost $12. The colors 
range from the most fiery scarlet to the purest white. 
Offer No. 1. —This collection, worth $12. will be 
given free to any person who will raise a club of 15 
subscribers to the Floral Cabinet at $1.80, and 
also an extra copy of paper 1 year, free to agent. 
Offer No. 2.—To any one who will get up a club 
of 20 subscribers at $1.80 we will give sufficient 
bulbs that the members of the club may have each 
1 bulb worth $l,'andthe club agent the entire set of 
12, also with extra copy of paper free 1 year. 
Offer No. 3. —One subscription at $3, will give 
subscriber the Cabinet 1 year and collection free, 
all worth $15. 
This collection is not for sale by any seed house, 
and cannot be obtained at any other place, and all 
are new seedling varieties just originated. 
The Floral Cabinet Collection of Bal¬ 
sams. —This comprises the best strains of Camellia- 
flowered Balsams ever offered. The Balsam is a 
great favorite with the ladies. This collection is the 
very cream of the extra choicest sorts ever raised. 
Its value may be judged when the seedsmen, have 
offered 10 cents a seed for all that can he spared. 
We know there is nothing in Europe or America to 
equal them. The collection consists of 6 packets, 
pure white, deep, rich purple, brilliant scarlet, crim¬ 
son spotted, velvet violet spotted, and carnation 
tripe'd. The flowers are so large and perfect as to 
almost.equal to roses. The set is worth $1.50 at 
least, and can be obtained only on the following 
terms: 
No. ].—A club of 10 subscribers to Floral Cabi- 
$1.30, will entitle club agent to 1 set of 
packets, $1 50, and 1 extra copy of Cabinet 
and engraving free. 
No. 2.—A subscription of $2 to Cabinet will en- 
- title subscriber to the paper and collection in addi- 
£ tion. 
^ No. 3.—A club of 4 subscribers at$l .30 will entitle 
agent to the collection free, as a premium. 
No. 4.—A club of 20 subscribers, at $1.30 each, 
will entitle club agent to enough packets to present 
each member of the club with the collection, worth $1.50, also the 
Cabinet and engraving 1 year, all together worth $3.SO, and the club 
agent to extra set of paper, engraving, and collection free. 
The supply is limited, and those who desire them will do well to 
get clubs in as soon as possible. 
The collections of tsalsams and Gladiolus are named specially after 
the Floral Cabinet, and we are very cautious never to send out 
anything but just as represented. The good name and fame, and 
honor of the Cabinet is the best endorsement of these new floral 
collections, which are of extraordinary value* 
