The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-07-26
Funeral Flowers.

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ful custom Of sending floral tributes to
the funerals of deceased friends has
grown wonderfully, and now the casket
that incloses the remains of loved one
is almost invariably surrounded with
handsome floral tributes in various de
SIGNS, showing the esteem in which the
departed is held. Out of this another
beautiful custom has grown. Every
Easter Sunday the chancels of the
churches, especially the Episcopal
churches, are filled with handsome me-
mortal pieces, placed there in memory
of loved ones gone before. Yesterday
afternoon reporter visited some Of the
leading florists Of the city and qucs.
toned them on the subject of memorial
flowers.
Mr.. 4. Pieser said that the florists
made their own designs, from which the
wireworkcr made his frames. Each
florist tried to protect his new designs
for exclusive use, but sooner or later
they we're copied by others.
"What flowers arc used principally in
this work ?" asked the reporter.
I" Carnations in tho winter and bal
sans in tho summer. Other flowers are
also used, but these are the principal
ones from which memorial pieces aro
made"
"What do you use in letiering?'
"In summer we use immprtelleS and
in winter violets.'
"What is tho process Of making NJ
those dcsignsP
1.-The wire frames are filed mp with
wet moss, and the flowers are wired
onto toothpicks and stuck in. The work
requires considerable labor, care, and
taste "
"What are the principal doSignsP"
"The Gates Ajar' Is a favorito de-
sign, also the 'hour-glps'.' Then there
are sickles, scythes, chalices, Gowns
and crosses, Bibles, crosses, wrcaths,
hearts, stars, anchors, Tyres, harts,
broken columns, etc. A handsome de-
sign ia the Faith, hope, and charity.
cross, crown, and anchor
How do the prices range"
ain summer from 80 TO $50, and in
winter from s. to 5000. Where special
designs are ordered the price il in.
creased. We made the design of the
engine and tunnel, which wa, given re-
Gently at the funeral Of n prominent
railroad official in this city. 1t cost
800. We also made floral ledger for
the funeral of a young bookkccpcr
That cost Sl00."
How long can these designs be pre-.
servcdY"
awe can keep them for eight days il
necessary, in good condition, bu. wher
they leave us they generally fade within
forty.eight hours"
"Has tho demand tJr these pieces in
creased latelyp"
go, yes. Since Jan. last there ha
been q very large demand for funcro
flowers of all kinds. We have use'
more white flowers than ever before.
ado you always have flowers o.
hand sufficient to fill all ordersP"
eyes, either in our store or at on
greenhouses"
"How about Easter memorial dc
signsp"
"The demand for them is large
Some florists use colors in making ther
up, but we use tints, rs being more al
propriate."
John G. Craig was called on by tn
reporter. lie said that more funer;
flowers had been sold recently than eve
before, and the demand was increasin
constantly"
"Do you make your own designsP"
"Yes, but other florists copy then
and it is impossible to keep our new d,
) signs exclusively for our own use.
,, am the originator of one of the mos
! popular designs for funerals-the Gait
Aiar.' 1t was first used about thr,
Casters ago as a memorial piece at Tril
ity Episcopal Church, but since tht
: time has been copied and used largel
all through the West"
"What flowers do you use in the'
/, piecesG"
Carnations, roses, lilies of the valley
, hyacinth, and white tulips. Camellia
Few of them are used here, and in th
> East they are not used at ALL"
"What are the favorite funcra
pecesp"
, "I think that for funeral work chi
flowers in punches are being used to
great extent. The casket is studdc
with them, as is the interior of tn
grave, which is lined with pine or a
borvi,m. They give very rich effeC
!, The newest and largest design ha
II made Is that of broken tree. Il
It 'Gates Ajar' is favorite piece, q
=. other pieces are the broken colun
harp, lyre, cross, crown, and anchC
~ star, scythe, sickle, cross, chalice, crow
,c Bible, pillow, sheaf of wheat, ho'
re glass, wreaths, heart, etc"
H. GLOW do these pieces range
y price,"
20 "Well, the Gates Ajar' is from
to TO 800, and the other pieces are ma
t. from 81 to $500. The season of
III wear affects the prices consideraf
Z, Large pieces and those of special des
~ cost more"
nc "What flower do you use in letter
H. designsP"
Il, "It depends upon the season OF
en- wear. We use immortelles and violt
a. and at present forget-me-nots:"
he "Are white flowers used in fune
w. and Easter workp" -.
H. ."They are, largely; but think G
al' orcd flowers are quite as approprIa
no In the East they are used altogeth
ms ms Delicate pink and white tints are USE
ne neat deal. For Easter, spring how
ad a. are popular in memorial pieces.
ne demand for Easter memorial pieces
OF growing. ."--Clicago Tribune.