1885.] 
the AMERICAN 
GARDEN. 
pink,” and some 
ruthlessly in the flolcl during sununor oau 
be sold for thirty-five cents a flower durin.r 
the holiday week. " 
FI^OllAt, 110XK8. 
Equisitely arranged boxes of cut flowers 
were more fashionable floral gifts tliis season 
at Christmas and Kew Years’ than tied up 
bunches or designs. Charming taste was 
shown in those boxes, many of wliicli wore 
satin lined in pale tints. There wore boxes 
in “blue,” and those in 
in “gold.” The “blue” 
boxes were of satin pa¬ 
per, lined with satin or 
plush of delicate blue 
shade. Violets, from 
the pale Neapolitan, to 
the rieh purple Czar, 
were laid so that the 
shading was perfect. 
Nestling in one corner 
of the box would bo a 
small cluster of Sican- 
ley White Violets, or a 
few Clover blossoms to 
give chie to the effect. 
“Pink” boxes were 
filled with Eose-buds, 
and “gold” boxes con¬ 
tained Marechal Neil 
and Perle des Jar din 
Eosebuds, Butter-fly 
Orchids, and a knot of 
bright Buttercups. 
BOUQUETS. 
The style of hand- 
bouquet in vogue this 
winter, is loose and 
large. From four to 
five dozen Eoses are 
bunched together, 
with Adiantwn gracil- 
limum or Asparagus 
plumosus for foliage 
and fringing. The 
small compact bou¬ 
quet with a Camellia 
in the centre, and 
edged with brakes, 
such as was made a 
decade ago, would be 
ridiculed, at this time, 
when only a quantity 
of rich Eoses and rare 
foliage gives satisfac¬ 
tion for either carry¬ 
ing in the hand or 
wearing in the belt. 
What is known by flor¬ 
ists as the French cor¬ 
sage bouquet is fash¬ 
ionable for wearing to 
the opera, where a lav¬ 
ish display is made. 
The bunch is made of 
Rosebuds or Carna¬ 
tions. It begins with 
■Boji Silene buds at the_ 
shoulder, and gradually expands from one to 
twelve flowers: when made in pink, Mermets 
follow lion Silene then La France, and at the 
Waist come the hybrids Anne de Dieshach, 
^d Magna Charta; when made in white, 
Wip/ieios, Cornelia Cook and Mardchal Bobert 
eses are used, in combination with the dain- 
y Lily of the Valley and delicate Narcissus, 
he English style of decorating with plants 
S':ows in favor every year. Only specimen 
pl^ts can bo u-ed for this purpose where 
ro'iL scrutiny, and for this 
oasou groat improvement in plants both 
ai„o and small is noticed in the extensive 
Uiaiiis of green-houses built in suburban 
places I'lio most delightful clfccts arc made 
vith 1 alms. Tree Ferns, and exquisito foliage 
plants of many varieties. 
WlODIJlNQ JlHCEI-nONS. 
A largo mansion on Fiftli avenue, was 
recently decorated for a wedding. The cor- 
types of ranunculus and anemones. 
ridor looked like a Fern lane, as if had Tree 
Ferns in tubs placed in every eligible posi¬ 
tion. Plaques of growing Ferns were hung 
on the walls, over the doors and at the top 
of the mirror. On the newel was a large 
specimen Adiantum Farleyense. The mirror 
was garlanded with Lygodiam seandens, and 
the stairway with Smilax chains. At one 
end of the corridor was an alcove for musi¬ 
cians, behind a high Ivy screen. 
Bermuda Lilies, which have been brought 
in unusually early this season, were used 
admirably in the adornment of tlic drawing¬ 
room. Smilax was mossed in arches over 
the doors, and in it were plunged these 
graceful Lilies. At the end of the room 
whei e the bride stood, a veil of Lily of the 
Valley was looped. It is estimated that the 
sprays of Lily in this veil cost $800. It was 
edged with itt I'Vance Eo.ses. In I he grates 
were delicate ferns and blooming plants of 
Polnscliia. ; The man¬ 
tel-piece ai'rangement 
was highly effective. 
There were vases of 
La France and',Duke of 
Connaught Roses at 
each end. Passion 
flower vines; were 
brought from these in 
festoons to a plaque 
of Lilies at the center 
of the mantel mirror 
frame. The chande¬ 
liers were decorated 
with Butterfly Orchids 
whieh|seemed to dance 
about the light. 
The bride wore Lily 
of the Valley, and car¬ 
ried a large bunch of 
it. Her bridesmaids 
wore silk tulle over 
white glace silk; there 
were six of them. 
Their only ornaments 
were necklaces and 
bracelets.of Asparagus 
plumosus. 
COMPLIMEXTS OF THE 
SEASOX. 
It is the custom this 
year for ladii s to send 
flowers to one another, 
and to leave a nose¬ 
gay when they iiay 
risits. Several very 
lovely floral gifts have 
been sent to new bab¬ 
ies the day after their 
birth. A tiny pair of 
white silk socks were 
caught with a stitch 
together. In one was 
placed Lily of the Val¬ 
ley ; ill another Forget- 
me-nots, among which 
was a Moss Eose bud. 
An embroidered blan- 
ketwassentto another 
little stranger, filled 
with Daisies. Straw 
cradles, filled with 
spring flowers are fa¬ 
vorite gifts for new 
comers. It would seem 
that every sentinient 
may be expressed with 
flowers and the fact is 
taken advantage of by many people in a 
pleasant and praiseworthy manner. 
Various elaborate designs have been made 
for private orders. The English Holly and 
Mistletoe has been sold to eager purchasers. 
The former cost from 25 cents to $5 a bunch. 
Boughs of the latter, brought from 60 cents 
to ,.$10 aceording to size. Prince’s Pine is 
preferred for roping, as it holds its needles 
better than other evergreens. Flora. 
