The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-14
THE EASTER FLOWERS.
THEY WILL BE EITENSIVELT USED
IN DECORATING TIE CHURCHES.
Flowers Have Taken the Place Of Easter
Cafds-As "A Present They May be sent
In "a Boquet or Loose

In a Boquet cr Loose.
OF all the seasons upon the Church cal
/ erdar none have the same freshness about
them as Easter. As If by association, If
nothing else. people have come to look
| upon Faster as the time OF flowers
Coming as IL does in the early spring.
with the earth just freed from its snow
! manflcs. Easter IS the advent OF the
balmy days, when mellow sunshine IS
everywhere and all nature seems 10 smile.
| She sends forth her earliest and most
| beautiful floral treasures. and they have
| the freshness and vigor Of youth and
the fragrance that goes with the first
blossoms. The dainty and fragrant vio-
/ let is then al its best. and the same Is
true of other flowers that might be
| named.
CHURCH DECORATIONS.
Easter is especially observed IN the
| churches by the large number OF flowers
used I'm decorating the church rails and
affairs. in this city II is rare that any
/ formal design of decoration is carried
out but masses Of flowers and palms are
banked in prOfusiOn wherever they can be
placed most effectively. The Easter
lilics-those Familiarity known as the ST.
Jospeh's lilies. as well as those OF the
Gala varlety-are most frequently en-
ploycd, but besides these there are used
hydrangeas, both of the pink and white
variety: danodlls, rhododendroms, the yell
low genesta, lilacs, both purple and white
the spirca japonica, azaleas, and tulips.
These. with palms and ferns in pots, can
be combined to make beautiful and artis-
tic effects. and many churches spend a
good deal OF money for their Easter
decorations. 10 is not usual I'm this city
60. 81, Irr In fffg e. a
der to a florist and then throw upon him
tho responsibility for the character or
the work. 10 is customary for the ladies
Of the church or a committee Of them 10
undertake the Easter adOnment, ana
they make their purchases OF the flowers
required from many different places.
Easter decorations are growing each year,
and q larger number of flowers Will UNI
doubleday be used this year than ever
before.
A GENERAL CUSTOM,
The custom is so beautiful that congre-
cations that formerly paid no especial
attention 20 the observance Of Easter
now look forward 20 that festival with
ploasurablo anticipation of the Joyous APP
pearance that their houses of worship
will present dockcd I'm fragrant flowers
and graceful palms on the day That COM
memorates the last act in the cOnsumma-
tion of the scheme of salvation. 10 is not
likely that there is a church in Rich
mond that will rot bee decorated 10
greater or less extent with flowers ON the
coming Eastor-Sunday. The most clabo-
rate ornamentati0n will, of course, be
found I'm the Catholic and Episcopal
churches. and I'm some of these there
are besides the MASSES Of flowers set de-
signs of crosses, crowns, or anchors. but
in those Of other denOminat 0us 10 Will
lc found that there will Doe palms upon
the platform and flowers upon the desk
Roses are largely employed IN these
Easter decorations. although roses are
flowers that are obtainahlc the year
round Those that reach their best de-
velopment az this time are the M"ena
Charta. the Bruner and the Baroness
ROthschild. Then. too, there are the
lilies of the valley. the Scotch heather,
and other flowers that might be named.
All these are employed in church decOra-
ton, either I'm pots or i'm vases, and go
20 make up beautiful harmonies OF color.
FIowFBs As GIF1s
The old habit OF sending cards on Eas-
ter morning is out of date. and the sweet
flowers now 20 in their stead.
The giving Of flowers at Elstor-time IS
now very general. and its Observance
m this city is constantly increasing.
Flowers are so be. utifuL so graceful, so
fragrant. so suggestive of all that is teE-
der and refined that they indicate the
culture and good taste of Che giver. as
Wei as furnish satisfaction and pleasure
20 the recipient. Many a hard feeling
has been sCftcncd boy gift of flowers.
and many an estrangcmcnt has been
healed through the medium of roses or
other floral presents.
Formerly il was in good form 10 send
flowers either loosely cut I'm box or ar-
ranged i'm a bouquet or basket This is
still allowable only If they are worked
into bouquet. or basket or any Other
set design they are ouameutcd with
bows and strcamers OF handsome ribbon,
the colors To Doe either i'm harmony or
contrast with the colors of the flowers. as
the taste of the giver may suggest. The
most elaborate of floral gifts is probably
found in large, deep basket. with
great long handle which can Doe painted
and gildcd, so as 20 heightcn the richness
of the whole thing This basket is either
filed with earth or moss and "a border
of ferns or Scotch heather is made. then
can Dee placed rosc-hush, am azalca,
lily. tulips "a big rhcdodendron, or
hydrangea, or. i'm fact. amy number of
flowers that the basket VIII hold. an with |
roots. and Il good prospect OF continuing
life. Then the handle OF the basket can |
be ornamented with ribbon I'M any way |
that may be desired
poITED PLANTS IN FORM
IL is good form now 90 send a lady "a |
potted plant of any kind az Easter and |
those who are able TO indulge themselves |
extensively IN this manner leave orders |
for flowers 10 DE sent TO their friends. /
selecting roses for some. pot OF lilies OF |
the valley for another. and palms azaleas
or any flower already named for others
\ novel idea that Will Doe employed this !
year is TO place bows OF ribbon between
the blossoms Of flowers the color 20 con-
trast with the color of the bloom. These
bows are attached 10 long wires that are
wound around the branches and stalk
of the plants, so that they are held |
firmly i'm place and make a very pretty
effect. Perhaps there may Doe some who
think that the flowers themselves. grow
ing in their strength and beauty. are
sufficient without the ornamen;auon OF
ribbon, but. as this is the latest fad. 10
must 90 with those who desire 10 Doe con-
sidered I'm the swim However although |
this may be the fashion. 10 need not deter
a man whose tastes lie in that direction
from sending his best girl growing