HOUSE AND GARDEN 
September, 1912 
183 
bears spikes of delicate tubular flowers, 
something like a gigantic heather. It is 
catalogued in three shades: Virgmica, 
bright but soft pink; Alba, white, said to 
be very fine, and Speciosa. I have the last 
named, Speciosa, a very delicate pink, in 
my garden. I admire and value it greatly, 
for it comes into bloom about August first 
and continues for several weeks, until the 
last minute bud opens in the top of the 
flower spike. The leaves are dark green, 
quite glossy, long and narrow. It is well 
named, for each separate flower looks ex¬ 
actly like a dragon’s head, the jaws, teeth 
and all, and is quite interesting. 
In cultivating, it should be given a good, 
deep, rich garden soil, and should be well 
staked, for a hard wind often causes it to 
topple, when in heavy bud, and being of a 
rather brittle nature, it can never be suc¬ 
cessfully lifted again. It is propagated by 
a division of roots and by seed. I have 
grown it for years, and only a few days 
since found a lot of seedlings coming up 
in other flower beds, walks, etc. It should 
be transplanted in spring, as early as :he 
ground can be worked. 
I am sure those who have not yet made 
the acquaintance of the false dragon’s 
head will be charmed with it. As I have 
already said, it blooms to perfection in 
midsummer, when other flowers are rather 
scarce. 
N. T. M. 
Picture Frames and Mats 
N OTHING adds or detracts from the 
ultimate effect of a picture so much 
as a frame. Each style of picture pre¬ 
sents a special problem in which certain 
principles when understood may be ap¬ 
plied generally, and others that it will be 
easy to apply in specific cases. 
Mats are as necessary to most pictures 
as the frame, the exception being oil paint¬ 
ings and those that are large enough to 
occupy the field of vision when seen from 
the distance suitable to the best view of 
them. The mat like the frame is used 
only to enhance the beauty of a picture 
and should therefore not be conspicuous. 
No decorative work should be on the mat 
as this draws attention from the picture. 
Of course the width of the mat should be 
in good proportion to the picture. 
In framing monochrome pictures like 
etchings, engravings and photos it is best 
to have the mat as well as the frame in 
the same general tone as the picture, the 
frame the darkest and the mat neutral. 
Carbon prints are of this class and the 
soft effect of the golden browns is com¬ 
pletely destroyed when gray or black 
mats are used and ebony frames. Car¬ 
bon prints look best framed in Dutch oak 
with a narrow band of gold between the 
picture and the frame; this has the effect 
of bringing out the shadows in the print. 
It is a curious fashion for picture deal¬ 
ers to offer white mats for water color 
pictures, as they are never satisfactory. 
One reason given was, “that water colors 
were in general such wishy-washy af¬ 
fairs that any other kind of mat would 
iiiiiiimiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiniiijnnmimnDiimiiiniTiiii^ 
FLints Fine Furniture 
Autumn Exhibit of 
English Period Designs. 
Reflecting the growing taste for fur¬ 
niture of early English design, we are 
showing particularly attractive suites and 
odd pieces of Elizabethan, and William 
and Mary period styles. 
Correct reproductions of beautiful old 
models for Dining-Room, as well as Tex¬ 
tile Hangings and Upholstery Fabrics 
which accord with them, may be had in 
many harmonious combinations. 
Ample opportunity is offered for the 
indulgence of personal preferences and 
inspection, without obligation to purchase. 
Geo. C Flint Co. i 
Entrance Gates—Bayshore, L. X. 
Gati 
These combination brick and stone pillars, sur¬ 
mounted with iron lamps, and hung with wrought 
iron gates of chaste design, make a gateway 
which consistently reflects the architectural 
spirit of the residence it protects. Au elaborate, 
highly ornamental treatment would not hare 
been in harmony. 
Knowing the importance of such harmony, we 
always request detailed information and photo¬ 
graphs of our customer’s residence and grounds, 
so we may suggest a gate treatment in accord. 
That is unquestionably the best way for you 
to do. Send for catalog and let us start corres¬ 
ponding on the subject. 
We likewise make iron fencings, tennis 
backstops, tennis net posts, and so on. 
Send for catalogs. 
^Anchor Post Iron Works 
11 CORTLANDT STREET (11th Floor), HEW YORK 
Anchor Post fence posts are braced with 
driven anchors. No digging post holes. 
Modern Sleeping Porch fitted with Wilson’s Blinds 
Practically makes an Outdoor room of the ordi¬ 
nary porch; a room at night, a porch by day. 
WILSON'S VENETIANS 
for outside and inside of town and country 
houses; very durable, convenient and artistic. 
Special Outside Venetians 
if Venetian yet devised 
for porches and win¬ 
dows; excludes the 
sun; admits the breeze. 
Write for Venetian 
Catalogue No. 3 . 
Jas. G. Wilson Mfg. Co. 
1, 3 & 5 W. 29th St., 
New York, 
Also inside Venetians, 
Rolling Partitions, 
Rolling Steel Shutters, 
Burglar and Fireproof 
Steel Curtains, Wood 
Block Floors. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
