Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-07
WlNDOW-DRESSlNC IN LONDON.
The Art Us Practiccd by Florists and Fish
mongers.
Gondon Daily News)

ilF'NNt-l t'Atif -NFN"''
The florists windows have greatly al
tered for the better during the ten years,
and some Of them are really worth a
long walk on account Of the artistic ar
rangcment Of the flowers and tie betuty
of the baskets, the wreaths and the floral
cushions. one OF these cushions seen
some time ago was composed entirely o.
Naples ylolets, with the Monogram OF the
recipient In the centre. carried out IN PHO"
half-blown roses. Another was occupied by
- rays Of laburnum in the shape If the
Persian prcscntmeut OF the sun, rlfiai.ng
In long sprays from circle drawn in the
middle the cushion Itself being composed
OF silver tissue. The centre WIS occupied
by all exquisite cluster OF gold orc"ils,
some OF the smaller blossoms OF Wnicl
fell among the blooms of g. ldnuInuln.
IL u.ed % De considered Ia the worst
taste % combine hothouse flowers wan
those of humber origin, but now the o-c-
tate5 Of a purer art admit freely OF the
conjunction.
some ol the most exquisite effects are
Obtained b. the use OF the commoHest
ltle hedge flowers. whole fields OF when
are now cultivated. ia order thai taer
fsath,ry, graceful! blossoms may be COM
mingled with their exotic SISTERS ana
cousins. one OF these in particular
tiay s;ar-.i,e flower, the buds OF which
are - SINAI. that the! resemble those o.
meadow -rass. Is IN very great demand
and, when well arranged. form L cloud
like mass above the more pronounced
flowers Of which the bouquet = compost4,
or with which the baskets are Iiiei.
Not very long ago the h2rists windows
were filed with large cldmps OF different
cOlOred flowers, attractive enough IN
themselves. but unaided by the skill which
now arranses them ia masses or dctacnes
them ~ single sprays IN specimen glasses,
adding - the whole Arrangement the tai
palms with their outspread!ng verdure,
and the intcrludes OF fresh grcenery such
as are afforded by pots of maidenhar
fern and the less costly variety Of ferns.
In the same way. the fruiterers' WIN
dOws are rendered much more tempting
than they used 10 be, though il H. NOT
considered judiCiOus 10 put strongly smell
ing flowers IN juXtapositiOn with fruit
since the influence they exercise tends
to rob the latter Of some OF It's delicate
flavor. and those which are beautiful in
cO.or. though lacking in perfume. aye
frequently introduced as embellishments.
and sometimes with excellent effect. For
instance, the tall. sword-like spikes OF
the scarlet gladioius are often introduced
as lending color where Ii Is needed, az
among the large green apples that Tas-
n,an a has so Literally sent To us of late.
while the white sprays OF the same flower
form very beautiful environment for
baskets Of strawberries or cherries. Still
IL must be confessed that the advance
ment OF the art of mountaineering has
been much more noticeable among
diapers. furnishers and lamp vendors
than with fruiterers or even florists, and
IL is probable that the next few years
will see very large development, espe-
cially among the sellers OF fruit They
are too apt TO so upon the idea that fruit
is sufficiently attractive of Itself, and TO
forget that very many Of their customers
buy 1t even more for the embelishment
of their dinner table. their tea bugrets,
and their luncheons than FOR Its qualities
as an article OF diet. We shall probably
In the near future see these windows
arranged as dinner tables. showing the des-