The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-08-22
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD,
Boquets in Patterns.

ts"phtAS AZ GittteFiS'
Flowers are often arranged IN a mere
succession Of punches, but they look
very stiff and unmeaning. Again, they
are shaped IN stars, but excep ing the
starry self-shaped flowers of the steph-
anotiS, jessamine, myrtles, etc, | have
no pleasure IN astronomical designs.
Shaded boquets are far prettier, unless
artistic patterns are adopted In many
cases, il exceedingly small flowers are
used, the pattern can be very elaborate
and perfect in taste and execution. i
wreath of tiny, bright flowers and
leaves arranged on a white ground is
specially lovely, and wreath of for
get-menOts grouped on white ground
IS exceedingly charming and sentiment
al, also a wreath OF pine rose buds and
blue hyacinths. Surely, such floral
designs are far prettier than stiff, con
centric circles Of one color following
another.
The groundwork can be varied-pale
pink and a porcelain blue can be sub
stituted for white, but a ground-work
OF white sweet yiolets, double Chinese
rose, or dcHtsia gracHis, with scarlet,
blue, pink or purple wreaths, is doubt
less the most beautiful. One kind of
flower should form the groundwork,
as it IS more difficult to keep the sur
face level If different kinds of flowers
4 used 1t IS very essential to keep
the shape exact, and the curve should
he very slight and the flowers kept care
fully down to their proper level In
fastening them to the wires, soft thread
is the best If thestems are long enough
each one can be tied to the center wires ;
and it is well to wind wet moss or cot
ton-Wool among them to keep the flow
els from whitening by the warmth Of
the hands. An outer boarderof leaves,
feathery, variegated. of velvety texture,
will add to the beauty OF the design
Scarlet geranlum leaves are very pretty,
as are all geranium leaves, unless their
perfume renders them Objectionable.
the fair Helen and the oak-leaved being
very unpleasant to many persons from
their strong odor. Myrtle also makes a
pretty edging, as its fragrance is so deli
cate.
1t is a vexed question whether it is
best to commence the arrangement OF
flowers from the top or from the outer
edge. For vases or dishes il is better
to begin at the onter edge and work to-
ward the center, always laying a frill Of
foliage about the outside; but for
boquets il is better at least in my
opinion, To commence ut the center, for
no other way would secure the stalks
IN their proper position. In making a
hoquet with a white groundwork and
scarlet wreath, red camellia could
commence the boquet and double
white primrOses up the center. with a
wreath OF white heath and scarlet be
gonias or poiusettias. After the wreath
must come n band OF the groundwork,
and then a fringe of green and white.
For bridal boquet, take n white
camellia for the center, with ground
work Of white yiolets or primroses
five more camellias ut intervals inter
spersed, then white heath or lilies Of
the valley 4 very little white tells
Well with a such a snow-white group,
and the pale green fronds of the maiden
hair can hardly fail to add grace and
beauty to such flowers. A mixed bou-
quet OF roses and geraniums is very
lovely. Commence with one half
blown white rose, and surround 1t with
five or SIX clusters OF scarlet, Il little
below the level of the rose. Add ger
anium orrose leaves with some feathery
white flower, and encircje with some
pale pink roses closely grouped; then
Il border Of pure white roses filed up
with fresh, bright green, and then 2
close border of scarlet geraniums
mingled with heir own yelvety leaves.
Such boquet Is miracle of lowell
ness Try it, fair friends, and see for
yourselves how brilliant and charming
1t Is.