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JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  o,  1904. 
the  leaf ;  but,  except  in  the  fungi,  the  essential,  vital  work  is 
always  done  directly  or  indirectly,  by  the  green  chlorophyll 
granules.  In  herbaceous  plants  tlie  surplus  energy,  which  in 
the  tree  would  thicken  its  timber,  goes  to  build  up,  in  addition 
to  its  seed,  a  root-stock,  l)ulb,  conn,  or  tuber,  stored  with  nutri¬ 
ment  sufficient  to  give  the  plant  a  fair  start  when  the  next 
growing  season  sets  in,  precisely  as  in  the  autumnal  buds  of  the 
tree  there  is  a  reserve  for  the  same  purpose.  In  annual  plants, 
where  no  such  provision  is  made,  there  is  a  correspondingly 
greater  profusion  of  seed,  which  serves  the  same  f)urpose  of 
bridging  over  an  adverse  season. 
The  mention  of  the  seed  brings  us  to  the  consideration  of 
another  feature  of  the  leaf — one  of  the  most  wonderful  of  all  — 
and  that  is,  its  metamorphosis  into  the  flower.  The  popular 
idea  is  that  leaf  and  flower  are  fundamentally  distinct,  and  we 
cannot  wonder  at  this  when,  for  instance,  to  take  a  present 
example,  we  see  the  broad,  fan-like  leaves  of  the  Horse  Chest¬ 
nut,  and  compare  them  with  the  tall,  sno'wy  plume  of  its 
flower?,  or  when  we  contra.st  the  simple  foliage  of  the  Eose 
with  its  fine.st  blooms.  The  botanist,  however,  will  tell  us,  and 
be  able  to  prove  to  us,  if  we  be  intelligent  enough  to  follow  him, 
that  evei'y  blossom  is  built  up  of  modified  leaves,  i.e.,  leaves  which 
in  process  of  time  have  gradually  changed  both  form  and  function, 
until  from  simple  flovers  like  the  Richardia,  in  which  we  see’ 
as  it  were,  a  step,  more  and  more  complex  ones  have  arisen, 
until  all  indications  of  origin  appear  to  be  lost.  Flowers,  how¬ 
ever,  occasionally  hark  back,  some  of  their  parts  or  organs 
assuming  green  and  leafy  forms,  and  in  so  doing  give  clues  to 
their  genesis. 
AVhen,  too,  we  consider  the  general  sameness  of  function  in 
leaves— i.e.,  to  catch  as  much  sunlight  and  absorb  as  much  car¬ 
bonic  acid  as  possible,  we  fail  to  be  struck  by  their  infinite 
diversity  of  form,  even  thougli  we  take  into  account  the  nece.s- 
sity  of  great  modifications  to  enable  plants  to  live  in  the  equally 
varied  environments  which  land  and  water  present.  Finally, 
amid  the  marvels  of  leaf  formation,  we  must  not  omit  to 
mention  the  presence  within  some  of  them,  perhaps  in  far  more 
imagine,  of  nerves  and  muscles,  however 
differently  these  may  be  constituted  from  those  of  animals.  It 
suffices  to  mention  the  Sensitive  Plant  and  Venus’  Flytrap  to 
bring  this  fact  to  mind  ;  while  a  very  little  study  of  climbing 
plants  with  twisting  stems  and  tendrils  will  show  to  ns,  as  they 
did  to  Dai\\in,  that  plants  ai’e  by  no  means  the  senseless  things 
they  are  usually  regaixled  as  being. 
r  '  •  .  ‘ 
_ - - - _ 
Floral  Decorations. 
Using-  Seasonable  Flowers. 
Ad  flowers  for  our  purpose,  or  for  any  purpose,  should  oe 
cut  before  they  reach  the  climax  of  development  to  have  them 
in  their  pristine  freshness.  A  few  hours  emier  way  in  summer 
may  mean  days  in  their  subsequent  durability,  i^affodils  we 
like  to  cut  in  the  opening  bud  stage,  and  expand  them  in  a 
temperate  house  ere  “dishing”  them  up;  thus  treated  they 
are  cleaner,  freshei',  and  brighter.  Tulips  are  amongst  the  fine.st 
or  all  flowers  to  arrange,  and  none  exceed  them  in  grace  if 
they  are  loo.sely  set  into  long-mouthed  vases,  and  they  have 
lasting  power  and  brightness  as  additional  merits.  Due  Van 
three  distinct  colours,  gives  a  pleasing  effect  if 
lifted  entire,  the  roots  washed  free  of  soil,  wrapped  in  moss, 
and  a  dozen  or  more,  each  colour  separate,  set  in  old  china 
soup  plates,  shallow  bowls,  or  similar  receptacles,  ivith  a  little 
top-dressing  of  cleanly-picked  moss— the  fern-like  Hypniim 
prolifenim  for  preference.  V  ith  a  liberal  allowance  of  soup 
plates  thus  furnished,  and  a  feathery  jialm  for  a  centrepiece, 
ne  have  rung  changes  on  the  dinner-table  for  a  week  with  me 
same  flowers— red  one  night,  yellow  another,  then  red  and 
white,  and  so  on. 
The  occasional  introduction  of  a  small  Cocos  to  the  dish,  ot 
soup  jilate,  is  commendable  as  a  change,  and  an  epicurean  floral 
ciitic  was  once  good  enough  to  say  that  soup  plates  thus  fur- 
ui.shed  made  a  feast  fit  for  the  gods.  With  long  stemmed  forced 
fillips,  cut,  their  pride  has  had  a  fall  which  they  seldom  wholly 
lecqvei,  although  with  trumpet  vases  the  drooping  if  not  ex¬ 
cessive  can  be  tolerated.  For  the  breakfast  table  we  have 
sometimes  had  to  .stake  each  bloom  before  inserting  in  the  bowl 
filled  with  wet  sand.  (Bulbs  not  used  in  this  instance).  Clean 
n  illou  twigs  for  staking  are  preferable,  stakes  arid  stalks  being 
leadily  secured  together  by  an  indistingni.shable  .strand  of  raffia. 
1  luncheon  or  dinner  table  we  know  of  nothing  more 
(lelicately  refined  or  exquisitely  coloured  than' Shirley  Poppies 
in  their  season.  True,  they  are  fleeting,  and  it  is  essentially 
necessary  to  gather  the  flowers  in  early  morning  (six  a.ni.) 
p  ace  them  immediately  in  water,  and  transfer  to  a  cool  place 
until  V  anted.  V  e  have  not  tried  the  sealing  process,  having 
found  the  above  plan  sufficient  for  our  purpo.se.  Wild  grasses, 
which  flower  contemporaneously  with  the  garden  Poppies,  are 
their  accompaniment  for  harmony  in  decoration ;  and  should 
anything  more  be  required  for  the  centrepiece  in  the  way  of 
foliage,  an  informal  fringing  of  Panicuin  plicatiim  is  suitable 
and  pleasing. 
With  Shirley  Poppies,  or  Iceland  Poppies,  the  decorator  need 
have  no  anxiety  about  mixing  colours;  cut  the  stems  long,  drop 
lightly  and  loosely  into  the  va.se  (u.se  dibble  for  bowl  of  sand) 
without  crowding  or  studied  arrangement  lest  love’s  labours 
be  lost.  Sweet  Peas  and  Gypsophila  not  only  go  well  together, 
but  probably  will  always  be  thus  associated,  whatever  critics 
say  about  the  Peas  being  over  “  gypsophilised.”  We  have 
never  met  with  ladies,  including,  v  itli  all  respect,  the  “  new 
woman,”  who  failed  to  appreciate  this  union  of  colour, 
fragrance  and  elegance,  and  probably  never  shall.  Their 
opinion  in  these  matters  is  seldom  wrong,  and — 
Beauty,  like  viit,  to  juilges  shouhl  be  shown  ; 
Both  are  most  valued  where  they  best  are  known. 
Sweet  Peas  take  highest  rank  in  our  subject,  and  we  find 
preference  given  to  clear  whites,  decided  blues,  and  pronounced 
shades  of  red;  hence  we  restrict  our  collection  to  the  self- 
coloured  kinds. 
May  flowering  Tulips  are  grand  subjects  for  cutting,  ana  as 
an  auxiliary  to  setting  them  up  we  think  nothing  surpasses,  if 
it  equals,  Solomon’s  Seal ;  flowering,  as  it  does,  at  the  same 
time,  it  seems  specially  intended  for  the  purpose.  All  the 
Daisy  or  Marguerite-tjqied  flowers  are  peculiarly  well  suited  for 
all  phases  of  decoration.  The  Doronicums  are  bright  in  their 
golden  glow  with  extraordinary  lasting  powers  when  cut;  in 
fact,  a  few  days  in  water  improves  them,  and  the  Great  Ox- 
eye  Daisy  (Chrysanthemum  maximum)  is  incomparable  in  its 
way,  and  the  most  endurable  of  cut  flowers. 
The  arra'ngeihent  of  cut  flowers  in  the  reception  rooms  is, 
independent  of  their  setting  up  in  vases,  an  art  in  itself. 
Plants,  of  course,  form  tlie  pit'cc  de  resistance,  and  the  more 
flowering  plants  there  are  employed,  the  less  use  will  there  be 
for  cut  flowers;  but,  possibly,  the  greater  need  of  taste  in  their 
disposal.  The  size  of  the  room,  its  use,  and  window  lighting, 
are  all  matters  to  come  into  calculation.  P’rom  the  bijou 
apartment,  yclept  my  lady’s  boudoir,  to  the  grand  salon, 
there  is  a  vast  difference.  P’or  the  former,  such  things  as  an 
orchid  spray,  backed  up  with  a  bit  of  Maidenhair,  low  moss- 
lined  bowls  of  \  iolets  or  x^rimro.ses,  a  vase  of  ■  Ph-eesias,  Tea 
Roses,  or  what  not,  if  refined,  are  welcome;  but  such  dainty 
morsels  are  often  lost  in  the  heighl;  and  depth  of  the  stately 
reception-room. 
It  must  be  explained  tlmt  adthough  the  Lilies  of  Lent 
initiated  our  theme,  it  is  iiiteiTded 'to  cover  the  whole  season; 
hence,  for  the  big  room  we  kno.w  of  nothing  -finer  for  brighten¬ 
ing  up  a  dark  corner  than'  a'^  bold  arrangeinent  of  Oriental 
Poppies,  and  given  a  background  of  two  or  three  Kentias  they 
are  very  effective.  Later  on  the  Torch  Lilies  (Tritoma,s)  give 
equally  good  results. 
Roses,  of  cour.se,  play  a  prominent  part  in  floral  decoration, 
And  Tea  Roses,  one  variety  to.  a  vase,  cut  in  good  sprays  stand¬ 
ing  up  lightly  and  naturally  on  smail  side  tables,  have  a 
daintiness  peculiarly  their  own.  H.P.’s  in  tlreir  season  are 
somewhat  “  droppy  ”  subjects;  and  we  find  that  shallow  bowls, 
or  old,  .square-crown  Derby  vegetable  di,shes,  in' which,  with 
short  stems  they  can  be  set  cii  masse  with  some  of  their  own 
fresh  foliage  protruding,  is  a  grateful  and  comforting  method 
of  dishing  up  the.se  inclispensables.  Wallflowers  are  acceptable 
if  not  dumped  down  faggot  fashion.  With  these,  something 
twiggy,  like  sprays  of  the  Snowberry,  is  useful  to  prevent 
crowding,  and  by, making  a  foundation  of  this  in  the  receptacle 
the  Wallflowers  can  be  inserted  one  by  one  till  .sufficient  fulness' 
is  obtained.  A  bowl  of  the  old  blood-red  .Wallflower,  and 
another  of  Cloth  of  Gold  are  charming  for  the  hall  table. 
As  already  hinted  the  mixing  of  species  and  cla.shing  of 
colours  is  to  be  religiously  avoided.  Slovenline.?s  is,  of  course, 
an  abomination,  but  over-elaboration  ofte:n  defeats  its  object. 
Nature  herself  provides  plenty  of  object  lessons  in  all  direc¬ 
tions,  and  the  inquiring  eye  will  not  be  slow'  to  see,  nor  the 
ready  hand  to  grasp,  her  incomparable  lessons  for  enlargement 
or  modification  as  the  casq  mray,- suit.  .There  .are  times  when 
the  decorator  suffer?  from  an  embarras  dcridiesse,  and  there  i.3 
more  danger  of  overdoing  the  work  or  badly  doing  it  than  at 
any  other.  There  is  .safety  in  simplicity,  but  nothing  commend¬ 
able  in  despising  com'mon  .flowers  begapse  they  are  common; 
nor  any  justifioatiqi^  for  using  more  than  is  necessary  because 
they  are  plentiful.  Clotisistent  and  clever  arrangements  save 
time,  save  flowei-s,  when  flow'^rs  are  .scarce;  and  las^,  not  least, 
may  be  salvation  ltd  young  hands  j fist  receiving  their  commis¬ 
sion  who  are  a  little  apt  to  copy  those — 
AVhose  incoterent  style,  like  tick  men’s  dre'ams, 
Varies  all  shapes,  and  lui.'crs  all  extremes.  ,  - 
Decora.  ••  .  ..  ..  i 
