May 16, 1903. 
TUB GARDENING WORLD 
429 
Trade Notice. 
“FLORAL AID." 
The above is the title of a. new device employed in the 
arrangement of cut flowers, grasses, and any other decorative 
subjects usually employed for the purpose. The plan of 
arranging the flowers can best be seen by reference to' the 
illustration of five models, which consist of a heavy lead base 
in which four wires are fixed. These wires are twisted near 
the base and again at the top, forming a single or double loop 
which proves veiy serviceable in holding thei flowers in any 
desired position. The heavy base: or pedestal is: painted green, 
as are the wire®, so that the latter are not liable to rust when 
stood in water. Any ornamental bowl or other dish may be 
used for holding water, and the model, according to the desired 
size, may be stood in water, and the flowers thus arranged with 
skill and taste. 
The illustration entitled “ Early Summer Flowers ” shows 
an arrangement of flowers for that particular season after they 
have been set up by the use of “ Floral Aid.” The flowers 
i 
Early Summer Flowers. 
employed in this instance were Spiraea astilboides floribunda, 
the May-flowering variety of the Poet’s Narcissus, Star Cin¬ 
erarias, and Pelargoniums, mixed with Asparagus Sprengeri 
and A. plumosus. 
The picture of “ Autumn Flowers ” shows quite a. different 
style of arrangement, due chiefly to the introduction of long- 
stemmed Gladioli, the stems of which may be used of any 
length to suit the requirements of the operator. It may be 
observed, however, that the longer the stems and the more 
top-heavy the flowers the larger the model employed. The 
other flower’s employed in this case are Anemone japonica alba 
and Gypsophila paniculate.. Around the vessel holding the 
water some sprays of Asparagus Sprengeri have been employed 
to hide the vessel. 
It. will thus, be seen that a large device of flowers may be set 
up by the employment of a small amount of material. For 
table decoration the device cannot be too light and graceful in 
build. The old bunch of flowers in a. vase -would have fur¬ 
nished material to make several of these, as shown by the 
illustrations, and the effect is certainly superior. 
The. models for the building up of these devices in flowers 
may be obtained of Messrs. Liberty and Co., Limited, Regent 
Street, London, W. 
Uffculme, Birmingham. 
Last month, when in the neighbourhood, we paid a visit to 
Uffculme, Moor Green, Moseley, Birmingham, the residence of 
Mi’s. Richard Cadbury. The house and garden are pleasantly 
situated on high ground, and surrounded by a fine fruit wall 
on the 1 northern side of the estate. On the south side the 
ground drops away to' a considerable depth, where a small 
stream runs through the grounds. 
Five Models of “Floral Aid.” 
Close by the mansion is a. fine conservatory with an installa¬ 
tion of the electric light. The structure is veiy high, aud a 
central iron pillar stands in a fountain-basin and runs up to 
the dome of the building. This pillar is covered with virgin 
cork, furnishing the pockets for the growth of Nephrolepis, 
Adiantums and other Ferns, as well a.s Ficus stipulata. Around 
the base of the pillar also are four small fountains. The in¬ 
candescent burners of the electric light are furnished with pink 
shades. On the floor of the,building are several tall Palms, 
Bamboos, Musa Cavendishi, and other large plants. The walls 
Autumn Flowirs. 
of the conservatory are covered with wire netting for the growth 
of various plants, such as Ferns, Begonia Rex, etc. 
Time being veiy limited, we could only make a very rapid 
survey of the houses, through which we were conducted by Mr. 
G. Menzies, the gardener. One stove we entered contained 
numerous Palms, fine plants of Euphorbia, splendens, Cycas 
revoluta, Anthuriums, and various other fine foliage plants. 
Next to this came a house in which Maidenhair Ferns were 
extensively cultivated. In another place was some fine rock- 
