268 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
richly coloured foliage of Mahonia Aquifolium is very 
effective, and is vastly appreciated. 
Pot plants are a most heterogeneous collection. 
Spruce Firs of varying sizes in pots, the branches of 
which are destined to sparkle with the numerous 
accoutrements that go to make up a Christmas tree 
are evidently an important line. It is a far cry from 
these to pots of Due Van Thol Tulips, and yet they are 
present in their thousands. Yellow, scarlet, rose, 
and white varieties were represented, some of them 
ours help to supplement our home-grown fruits. 
Nuts of all sorts, are, of course, a necessity at the 
Christmas season. Pears are few, although some 
excellent samples of Glou Morceau and Easter 
Beurie were to be seen. English Apples were repre¬ 
sented by such varieties as King of Tompkin’s 
County, Blenheim Orange, Newtown Pippin, and 
Ribston Pippin. Small and not very highly coloured 
fruits of the two last-named varieties were marked 
up at ijd. each—not at all a bad price. Surely if 
December 26, 1896. 
FLORAL DESIGNS. 
In modern times much attention is given to the 
making of floral designs and devices with various 
flowers and plants, perishable or but slowly perish¬ 
able. The accompanying illustration, which has 
been furnished us by Mr. John Downie, 144, Princes 
Street, Edinburgh, shows a harp which has been 
decorated with a kind of reindeer moss or lichen, 
known in commerce as Siberian Silver Moss. This 
*■ 
Harp of Siberian Silver Moss. 
charmingly associated with Ferns, others by them¬ 
selves in all the glory of their precocious blooms, 
presenting a striking contrast to the snow and sleet, 
which was pouring down outside. Evergreens of 
various kinds, including Aucuba japonica, and Euony- 
mus japonica and its variegated form do well in pots, 
and there is a brisk demand for them at this 
season. 
Fruits in wondrous variety are to be had. Bananas, 
Oranges, and Pineapples from sunnier climes than 
proper attention was paid to storing and grading, and 
the markets were closely watched, British fruit¬ 
growing has a future before it. Gros Colman Grape 
is in great demand, and seems to outsell the other 
late varieties. Some baskets full of superb bunches 
with large well-coloured berries caught our notice. 
A comparatively few years ago it would have been 
impossible to have got such fruit for love or money 
in the market—now it is only the money that is 
required. 
material is capable of lasting practically indefinitely, 
and requires only to be kept clean to remain useful. 
Brightness is imparted by Roses, which may be 
renewed from time to time as occasion may require. 
Fresh greenery is supplied by means of Maidenhair 
Fern, Asparagus plumosus, A. medeoloides (Smilax), 
&c., at the wish of the decorator. Such a design or 
device is capable of being made very effective at the 
hands of a skilful operator, who has taste, and takes 
interest in his work. The harp in question can be 
