326 
THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
Intertwined with the Clematis were branches of Bitter 
Sweet, Oelastrus Scctndens, with its bright orange col¬ 
ored berries, some of which, for greater effect, had been, 
"by holding near a fire, prematurely forced to burst 
and disclose the scarlet covering of the seeds. This 
served to give life and brightness, while it in no degree 
detracted from the beauty of the Clematis. 
The capitals of the columns were covered with Ferns 
placed erect. At the foot of each Fem was a bunch of 
the fruit or seed of the Indian Turnip, Arum Tryphil- 
Tum, the brilliant red of which contrasted strongly with 
the dark green background. 
For the day the preacher’s desk was removed to the 
rear of the platform, raised and approached by two 
steps, which steps and the front of the desk were thickly 
covered with Ferns. On the top of the desk were massed 
wild flowers of every procurable variety. On the steps 
was the motto in flowers, The Cross our Glor'y. 
Near by stood the cross, a mass of green also covered 
with floral emblems in forms of crown, stars, sickles, 
harp, shield, etc. This cross was perhaps more to me 
than to most others, as it was evidence of the purpose of 
liberalism in New England Congregationalists. When 
former generations worshipped in the “meeting-house” 
built in 1737, and standing on nearly the same ground 
as the one now decorated, the cross -was looked upon 
only as a symbol of Romanism and Popery, and nothing 
bearing its semblance was permitted, and it is within 
the recollection of many still young, when to have a 
cross in or about a Congregational house of worship 
was considered an unwarranted innovation; 
In every available place were vases of all sizes, in 
which were displayed more varieties of flowers than I 
can name. A few spikes of the Cardinal flower, Lobelia 
Cardinalis, the last of the season, had been found by a 
shaded brooklet, and were given a conspicuous place as 
an offering from August. In one vase was grouped 
bright, nodding Golden-rod, Solidago, with the white 
flowers of the wild Carrot, Danciis Carrot a. In another 
were the long leaves and tall spikes of the reed Mace or 
common Cat-tail, Typha latifolia, and in another were 
grasses common to the neighborhood that would be 
more highly prized for their gracefulness and beauty 
were they not so readily attainable. Asters in number¬ 
less variety of form and color were seen everywhere; 
Rudbeckia, with its bright yellow rays, a more recent 
introduction to New England meadows; Spireas, Iron 
weed, Hard-hack or Steeple-bush, St. John’s Wort, 
Ramstead or Toad-flax, Thoroughwort and others, to 
name which would try my patience and encroach on 
your space, were found in masses or grouped together 
as taste suggested. 
On the table that on this occasion served the preacher 
in place of his desk, was a single bunch of Pearly Ever¬ 
lasting, a fit emblem suggestive of the everlasting truths 
of the Gospel he preached. 
Some of the helpers were not satisfied with things of 
beauty merely, and displayed in various places on the 
walls, bunches of Oats, Wheat, Rye, Broom-Corn and 
Millet, and festooned between the columns were branches 
of native Grape-vines with their ripened fruit, the 
fragrance of which puts to shame all improved varieties. 
Dishes of Apples, Pears, Peaches and Plums bore testi¬ 
mony of the kindness of a Father to His children, and 
were suggestions of thankfulness to Him for all His 
favors. 
But now comes the utilitarian with the question of 
what use is all this? Could not the time spent in thus 
decorating have been better employed in profitable 
labor, the avails of which might have been given to the 
poor? We answer without hesitation, No. “The poor 
ye have always with you,” and there is time left in 
which to do duty toward them. Memory of the hours 
spent in collecting and arranging these decorations will 
live long and pleasantly with those engaged in it. The 
work was a labor of love, which is never without its 
reward.. Neither, we believe, was there one of the con¬ 
gregation that attended the service who was not made 
glad by the sight, and to make glad is to confer 
benefit. L. A. R. 
AN ORNAMENTAL GRASS. 
During spring and summer Eriantlius Ravennse is 
perhaps not so ornamental as the Eulalias, whose beau¬ 
tifully striped foliage and graceful plumes make them 
favorites wherever known. It is, however, more strik¬ 
ing than they after it throws up its flower stalks, which 
are much higher than those borne by the Eulalias, at¬ 
taining a height of ten or twelve feet. It is perfectly 
hardy anywhere, and like all other grasses is herba¬ 
ceous, dying down to the root each winter. After the 
frost has killed the top, and it has been cut off, a little. 
coarse manure thrown over the root will cause the 
plant to bear finer plumes the next season. The Erian- 
thus is not a new plant—it was introduced in 1824 
—but little attention seems to have been paid to 
it until late years. It so much resembles the Pampas 
grass in appearance as to be sometimes called the 
“American Pampas.” The leaves are dark green, long 
and narrow, growing upward from four to six feet, then 
gracefully drooping to the ground. Being hardy it is 
better adapted to general culture than the Pampas grass. 
The flower-spikes or plumes appear early in September, 
and when developed give the plant quite an imposing 
appearance. Several plumes will be borne on a small 
root. For decorative purposes the plumes when dried 
are nearly as handsome as those of the Pampas; they are 
about eighteen inches long, thick and woolly, not droop¬ 
ing, and of a silver-gray color. They should be cut 
from the plant while still green, and are dried best by 
hanging top down ward. The plumes are much used in 
mantel vases and in grass bouquets. If the stalks of 
several phuues be cut off close to the ground, tied to¬ 
gether with ribbons and stood in a corner of the room, 
they make no mean addition to that room’s artistic ap¬ 
pearance. This grass is usually planted as a centre 
plant for large beds, or can be planted alone, or in com¬ 
bination with other grasses on the lawn. It is easily 
propagated, from seed or division of the root. The 
flower-stalks, after they have become dry and hard, 
can be utilized as plant stakes, and will last several 
months.— Exchange. 
