The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-04-07

ID Aoo INC oioah VI uypocfISy, Uul Is Tie
result of their isolation upon their lonely
farms, and the influence of the solemn
aspect of the surrounding nature upon
the plains.
Floral Decentralization Much is
Spent for Flowers in New York.
The unusually large number of social
gatherings in this city this winter and
the severe weather of the last two
months, says the New York Tribune,
have considerably raised the price of
cut flowers. The custom that has
sprung up within the last few days of a
lavish display of flowers on all possible
occasions-weddings, funerals and re-
ceptions-has induced florists to exert
themselves to the utmost in the produc-
ton of elaborate and tasteful designs,
constructed of such flowers as seem
most appropriate to the occasion. Now
adays the floral decorations at fashion,
able wedding, dinner or reception are
noticeable feature. For the construc-
ton OF bouquet or design considerable
skill, ingenuity and taste on the part of
the florist are absolutely necessary.
The old saying that true art is perfect
harmony of details is perhaps nowhere
better illustrated than in the correct
grouping of the flowers of different
sizes, shapes and colors.
In the more pretentious florists shops
trained male assistants, whose main
employment is the arranging of bou
quets, are employed. They are nearly
all Frenchmen or Germans, who have
been bred to this work in their native
lands, where far more attention is paid
to scientific and systematic Horticulture
than IN this country. But efforts are
now making to bring American forieul-
ture up to the European standard. A
prominent and experienced dealer in
this city, in speaking about the increase
in the taste for flowers, said recently:
"ln the last thirty years there has been
a remarkable increase in the use of
flowers for decorative purposes. Years
ago the elaborate patterns in cut flowers
.hat can now be seen at any wedding,
funeral or public occasion were UNI
known. If a wreath was to be made its
base was usually piece of willow or a
barrel hoop; if a cross, two pieces of
lath formed the groundwork, and the
whole device when completed was such
as usually reflected little credit upon the
artist. Now everything is changed
there IS no device or design, however
intricate and complicated, that can not
be constructed at frst-class establish
ment. Crosses, harps, stars, Tyres, and
devices tigurative of the vocation of the
deceased person are much in vogue
Tor funerals, while the pretty
English innovation of the we'd
ding bell, made usually of |
white roses and other delicately tinted |
flowers, is now very fashionable. Among |
the queerest devices that | have made |
up were Greek letter monograms pre- |
sented by college fraternities to orators
at commencement exercises. IN 1874 /
the sale of flowers for New Years day.
In what was then the largest florist shop
IN the city, amounted to only 5000. and |
probably for the whole city of New York
did not exceed 200. Now the amount
spent for floral decorations on that dav
is estimated at $4,000, while for the
whole year the amount spent in these
perishable ornaments amounts to hum
dredS OF thousands of dollars. There
are almost 500 florists establishments
within a radius of ten miles of New
York City, and the capital invested in
land, structures and stock is not less
than So,OOO,OOO. The greenhouses
from which come the flowers and plants
that are sold in this city are in the up
per part OF Manhattan Island, in Hud-
son County, N. j., in Staten Island, and
IN the Long Island towns within ten
miles from New York. While the prof
It's In plants are large, being about 100
per cent, the profits in cut flowers are
still larger. Why, during Christmas
week fine Jacqueminot roses brought
81 EACH"
That there are fashions in flowers as
we'll as in everything else must be patent
% the most casual observer. One sea-
ION this flower has an enormous sale.
he next season that. The Jacoueminot.
Mareschal Mel and Nepheta roses have
been most popular this season. A few
lowers are imported. A beautifully
haped and tinted Jacqueminot rose
comes from England, and, it is said,
IAN not be matched in this city. Violets
md mignonettes have been scarce and
ugh this year. A bunch of the former
low costs about 81, but few weeks aco
cost as much as S.. Of the tropical
plants sold here, the dragon plant is per.
laps the most popular. The street
lower peddlers have had very little bus
ness this winter, and many have adopted {
ther means OF gaining living; but
Nth the return of warm weather they {
viii again enliven the street-cars, stages G
nd boats with the old cry, ssBouquets, t
ouquets, only five cents.'' c