Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-08-19
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD,
EoIuets in Patterns.

Flowers are often arranged in a mere
successlonsof punches, but they look
very stiff and unneaning. Again, they
= are shaped in stars, but excepting the
starry sef-shaped flowers Of the steph-
anotls, 5essalnine, n1yrtles, ETC., have
no pleasure in astronomical designs.
Shaded boQuets are far prettier, unless
artistic patterns are adopted In many
cases, If exceedingly small flowers are
used, the pattern can be very elaborate
p and perfect ID taste and execution. A
wreath OF tiny, bright flowers and
leaves arranged on a Whit ground is
specially lovely, and Rreath of for
is exceedingly charming and sentiment
al, also wreath of pine rose buds and
blue hyacinths. Surely, such floral
designs arefar prettier than stiff, con
centric circles Of one color following.
another.
The grounsi-work can be yaried-pale
pink and a porcelain blue can be sub
stituted for white, but a groundwork
Of white sweet yiolets, double Chinese
rose, or delatzi0 grGctljs, with scarlet,
blue, pink or purple wreaths, is doubt
less the most beautiful. One kind of
flower should form the ground-wor
as it is more difficult to keep the sur
face level if different kinds of flowers
are used. It is very essential to keep
the shape exact, and the curve should
be very slight and the fowerskept care
fully down to their propersle In
fastening them to the wires, soft thread
Is the best. Il the stems are long enough.
each one can be tied to the center wires :;
and it is well TO wind wet moss or cot
iton-wool among them to Keep the flow
ers from whitening by the warmth Of
the hands. An outer boarder Of leaves,
feathery, yariegated, ofsvelvety texture,
viii add to the beauty Of the design.
Scarlet geranium leaves are very pretty,
as are al 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 makesa
pretty edging, as its fragrance is so deli
cate.
It is vezed question whether it is
best to commence the arrangement Of
flowers from the top or from the outer
edge. For vases or dishes it 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 It is better at least in nv
opinion. 10 commence at the center, for
no other way would secure the stalks
in their proper position. In making
boquet with q white groundwork and
scarlet wreath, a red camellia could
commence gthe boquet and double
white primroses up the center, with a
wreath Of white heath and scarlet be-
gonias or pOinsettias. After the wreath
must come a band OF the groundwork,
and then a fringe Of green and white.
For bridal boquet, take a white
camelEa for the center, with ground
work of white violets or primroses :;
five more camellias at intervals inter
spersed, then white heath or lilies of
the valley. 4 very little white tells
well with q such a snow-white group,
and the pale green fronds of hemaiden-
hair can hardly fail to add grace and
beauty TO such flowers. A mixed bou-
4uet OF roses and geraniums is very
lovely. Commence with one half
blown white rose, and surround it with
five or six clusters of scarlet, a little
below the level of the rose. Add ger
anlum orrose leaves with some feathery
white flower, and encircle with some
pale pink roses closely grouped; then
border OF pure white roses filed up
with fresh, bright green, and then a
close border of scarlet geranilm
mingled with heir own velvety leaves.
ouch boquet is miracle of lowell
ness Try 1t, falr friends, and see for
yourselves now brilliant and charming
it is. o