The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-07-30
PLANTS AND FLOWERS.
m. Art OF bouquet Making.

beautiful flowers. But after all it is diff
cult matter and one sometimes forgets that
flowers have their affinities and preferences,
as well as the human race. Above all give
them room and not crowd them. When
flowers are massed heavily together all lose
their beauty. saw an arrangement o
flowers yesterday where two lovely day lilief
that would have been beautiful if groupes
alone in slender vase with few ferns or
green spires, but whose effect was ruined by
being put in the center of a mass of lark
spurs and common garden flowers The
common flowers only looked the more COM
mon in contrast with the lilies, and the lilies
looked as though caught in very coarse COM
pany. Flowers almost have souls to me, and
it seems as if they had feelings that ought to
be respected.
For vases and bouquets of any sort there
should be plenty of white for the foundation.
Where stemless flowers are used, like tube
rose or a single geranium, stems can be made
by putting the ends inside of straws and then
wiring it in; when arranged in the bouquet
the straw can not be seen, but the flowers
can be kept fresh by absorbing the water.
A pretty arrangement is is to take spike
of scarlet gladiolus, with its brilliant color
ing, arrange it with feathery grasses and
CLEANS of white feverfew here and there and
you will have a lovely spot of coloring for
some dark corner. Again, petunias and
morning glories are difficult to combine
with any flower, but give them a wide
mouthed vase and a few leaves and they are
positively graceful. All lilies / think are
prettiest if no other flowers are mixed with
them
For small vases very good way is to clip
them off and put them in carelessly as they
come, then they will look natural; too much
arrangement often spoils the looks of "A vase
of flowers For either hand or vase bouquets
do not put too many colors together. can
see now a home, a CHEEKY place, where the
husband was glad TO come and rest from his
business cares; where children had full lib
erty in the library, conservatory and in fact
every part of the house; where the birds
sang, the dogs frolicked and it seemed never
cloud could enter there. 1t never has, that
l know of, though many years have pass
ed since my pleasant visit there.
In every room in the house were
dainty bouquets; on the brackets,
tables and in every place where one could be
put. The first lily of the valley / ever pos
sessed was given me here, and one of my first
lessons in the beauty of flowers was taught in
this happy home. She had but few flowers
but her vases were small, fragile and nearly
all of transparent glass. They We're filled
with ferns, beautiful feathery ones. moses
and vines from the woods; the flowers were
not rare, but it was in the exquisite arrange
ment wherein was held the charm. Heaven
bless her for the glimpses of loving home life
she used to give this orphan child, and fol
laying many foundation of human love in
my heart, that has since blossomed a hundred
fold
If had a garden l should have an old
fashioned fiower-bed all by itself; it should no
be crowded out by its more snowy neighbors
either. In one corner, back from all the rest
I should have a few holly-hocks and sun
flowers. How many times in my childhood
days have l carried sunfowers for umbrellas
and caught the buzzing, restless bumble-be
| in the holly-hocks the dolls that have mad
and dressed out of the holly-hock blossoms
| If had no children of my own, / SHOULD
| initiate the neighbors' into these mysteries o
of flower lore and give them some of tn
dream life and fairy land that naturally come
to every child's heart, if not repressed. Tn
wisteria with its purple bells, is one of tn
most beautiful of climbers, and with a spra,
of its blossoms, beautiful bouquet can b
arranged. A single moss-rose bud in tin,
vase: can anything be more beautiful 4
few dropping heads of wheat look beautiful
with wild roses; as both often grow in tn
same field, they seem made for each other.
In front of fireplace or hearth, ferns cal
be arranged beautifully; and if ferns ar
taken up with the dirt on, they will grow il
a deep dish, if only kept filed with water
From my seat at my desk, see aplate of ferns
and they are bending back and forth as tn
wind sways them. They have been growini
two weeks in only vegetable dish filed wit
water and moss and kept very damp. In on
of my schools on the desk / had a plate q
moss, ferns and violets. l kept them we
and they throve all summer, putting fort
new fronds, leaves and blossoms. One {
the large vases or jars that is very old-fasf
toned is 'just the style" now to set in front (
fireplace or CRATE. This, filed with larg
and bright flowers like peonies, tulips or POI
pies, can be made very effective, or on tn
corners of porch, in the hall, and if put
the dark corners will liven and brighte
them up. Elder blossoms are very beautifi
in bouquets, and if it were only an importe
bush instead of growing wild in our countr
it would be in great demand by florists.
On my window sill / have fuchsia that
so full of blossom it drops down and rests {
the sill for support. Yesterday, thinking
would break. L tied it up, but / so missed
/ graceful, lovely droop united it again. 1
, the side of it a cinnamon pink that fills Il
room with fragrance; these with swee
/ scented geraniums, heliotrope and mignonet
: comprise my list of flowers. / have on
hardy plants that know will live witho
: much care, for every time one withers al
! dies / feel that it is through my neglect, al
: now endeavor to only buy strong plants.