164 
aSies Sflorai KattJkitet «r 3 SrHciaimt BHEome lEampujaiaii. 
THE AQUATIC BOUQUET. 
While on a journey the past year I saw a most 
charming floral arrangement in what was called 
“ The Aquatic Bouquet,” and, whether for the draw¬ 
ing-room bracket, or the stand in a sick-room, or 
even the dining-room or tea-table, 
it is a most beautiful object. But 
to describe this beautiful object is 
what I now will try to do, hoping 
whoever may tiy it may have the 
best of success; and if they do I am 
veiy well assured they will be paid 
for all their trouble and expense. 
It consists of flowers, buds, and 
sprays of grass, ferns, and moss, or, 
indeed, any treasure of the floral 
kingdom in a state of perfect beauty 
and in an upright position, sur¬ 
rounded and buried in the limpid 
element—a singular yet very won¬ 
derful sight, merely one of nature’s 
laws beautifully demonstrated—the 
power of atmospheric pressure—and 
the old rule of our school lessons, 
that two elements cannot occupy the 
same space at the same time, in 
this instance is proved by following 
the subjoined directions. 
Have ready a glass shade such as 
we use for covering fem cases, wax 
flowers, statuary, or other delicate 
objects of any size convenient, or 
substitute any plain glass tumbler 
or bell glass (though these ‘are only 
suitable for small bouquets) 5 a glass 
or china dish with flat bottom suffi¬ 
ciently large to admit the shade, and 
with a deep dish, such as a soup- 
plate, for instance; a selection of 
flowers of even ordinary species, 
suchasDianthus, Abronia, Verbena, 
or many others which I will not 
stop to mention, and some grasses, 
ferns, and moss; a piece of stone one 
half as large as diameter of shade, 
some fine strong green thread, and 
a tub of clear water, cold, from a 
spring if convenient. Now com¬ 
mence by arranging the flowers and 
leaves tastefully into a bouquet, 
using judgment and skill, in order 
that by contrast and pleasing com¬ 
bination the most satisfactory results may be ob¬ 
tained. Fasten this when completed to the stone by 
tying the stems to it (for which reason the stone 
might better be rather rough). The stone itself must 
then be entirely hidden by tying moss and colored 
leaves around it, commencing at the top and cover¬ 
ing the stems of the bouquet. For this the leaves of 
Coleus, Achyranthus, Altemauthera and variegated 
Geraniums, contrasted with moss and green fem 
leaves, will present a charming appearance. The 
is room, place pieces of stone, shells, and any other 
pretty ornament prettily dressed with Tradescantia, 
Ivies, or delicate plants that will grow in water. 
We have said this is a beautiful object, but the 
half has not been told, until after standing for twenty- 
four hours, or perhaps a little less time, each tiny leaf, 
every feathery spray, the crimson of the gorgeous 
foliage and plants and soft, velvety petals of the blos¬ 
soms, have become encrusted with a glittering coat 
of diamond-looking stones, draped 
and festooned with tiny ropes of 
shimmering spangles, gemmed and 
studded with sparkling jewels and 
pearls in the form of a hundred 
minute air-bubbles, so transparent 
that every shade and tint of the 
rainbow is reflected, and the star- 
like incrustations give the bouquet 
the appearance of some wonderful 
piece of fairy-work arising from a 
sylvan grotto covered with white 
frosty gems far more brilliant than 
anything cut and polished by hu¬ 
man hands. I cannot describe, nor 
can any one, how beautiful this 
is. I was told by those who were 
the happy owners of this bouquet 
that it would remain for some time 
to look just as it then did, and 
it was so very handsome it was 
the admiration of all who saw 
it. 
This wonderful and beautiful ob¬ 
ject is well suited for the sick-room, 
where flowers are generally so ac¬ 
ceptable yet frequently inappropri¬ 
ate on account of the odor. But 
for the dining-room it is exceedingly 
elegant and capable of astonishing 
the eyes of beholders. Very small 
blossoms will seem quadrupled in 
size, so you may judge how large 
and fine flowers must look, to say 
nothing of the glittering, sparkling 
bubbles of all shades in the inside 
of the globe or shade. 
I hope all who may perchance read 
this will try it, and tell of their 
experience through the columns 
of the Ladies’ Floral Cabinet, 
so others may know of their suc¬ 
cess. 
B. F. Lawrence. 
Jaffrey Centre, N. H. 
ROSE SLUGS. 
These are the larvae of a black four-winged fly. 
They have a wonderful sawlike instrument, cutting 
grooves in leaves and twigs to deposit their eggs. 
The larvae, when full grown, are three-fourths of an 
inch long and have twenty-two legs. They eat the 
pulp of the leaves. Whale-oil soap is a sure reme¬ 
dy. A weak solution of carbolic acid is as good and 
more pleasant. The Rose-chafer must be picked off 
by hand. 
stone so covered is placed in the centre of the dish, 
around it (if space intervenes between it and the side 
of the dish) arrange pretty stones, shells, moss, and 
bright leaves with graceful vine sprays. Now im¬ 
merse this dish, arranged as it is, in the water con¬ 
tained in the tub ; then, taking the shade in the hand, 
place one side of it in the water just over one- side of 
the dish, and slowly sinking it until entirely filled, 
all the time turning it over the bouquet until finally 
Pampas Grass Plumes for House Decoration., 
it is placed down on the dish; then raise dish and all 
up from the water slowly, and you will find the at¬ 
mospheric pressure will keep the shade finely fixed, 
while before you will be the most lovely objects you 
ever beheld. 
Do not disturb the water around the rim of the 
dish, as it aids in making the shade air-tight, and for 
this reason it might better be renewed from day to 
day as it evaporates. 
Around the outer rim of the plate or dish, if there 
