New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23
FASHIONS IN FLOWERS.
CONSIDERED FROM THE FLORISTS AND
THE BUYERS POINTS OF VIEW.

Scotch heather is in demand this winter a
table decoration and as house plant. TO give bt
Of dainty bloom to apartments and 10 REMIND
one Of far-extending moorlands and sunlit space
Nothing looks prettier in contrast with white
satin damask, beautiful glass and shining silver
than the delicate bloom of pinkish or lavender
heather: and for this reason 1t has become an es-
tabished favorite for the table, challenging even
the prestige Of the queenly roses for that particular
use. Then again. the little Highland-bred blossom.
transplanted the seas, is expensive. which
makes 1t especially desired by those who arc on the
lookout for costly novelties. Besides this the
heather stays in bloom long time is hardy ana
easily looked after qualities which commend 1t at
both to the decorator and the house mistress
who loves her window garden and indoor flower
plot modest spray OF heather costs 81. II comes
in pure white well In the tinted varieties, but
the white Ks not as much In demand the others
are.
There season when red was so
much called for. and in consequence. You notice
that good red not sold on the streets this
winter" said a well-known florist. The Meteor and
Jacquemlnot hold their price. and there Is nothing
so effective for table decoration on a state occasion
The red is always becoming, except to those with
unusually horid compexions.
THE craze for gardenias is a within have never
been able to understand" the dealer In
flowers They are beautiful. in contrast with their
dark. shining leaves. but are japoncas. hyacinths
or any th!ck-petaed white flowers. The gaidenas
oppressive in odor and to my taste are entirety
out of place at dinner for they rob the most de-
lshtfu wine of its bouquet and flavor by reason o.
their heavy perfume. In close room, their scent
is almost sickenns to a SENSITIVE person. Yet u
Of fashion will pay any amount TO secure even
imperfect one for his buttOn-hole ana ! Will
take any amount of trouble 10 procure II for him
compelled to believe that If sardenias were com
mon, and easily cultivated in this climate, their
popularity would be on the wane at once As 1t is
now. a small fortune awaits the lucky grower who
can contrive method of producing them
In the matter Of perfume have learned the i'm
portance of what seems trivial thing by catering
TO the tastes Of brides. When a woman Is going to
be married she Is strung up TO high pitch Of nerv-
excitement. and extra Whit Of perfume VIII
sometimes cause her faint. Don't put in any
flower with an odor Is frequently the instruction
get for d bridal bouquet This is the cause Of the
great demand for orchids. expensive they for
brides flowers. Even the subtle. hardly noticeable,
perfume OF the lilies Of the valley. which charm
ing for shower bouquet. is objected to ~ some.
In Paris orchids. and orchids alone used tor Il
brides bouquet but such bouquet as tncy make
generally manage 10 pa; ia ltt!c spray Ol orange
blossoms in every brides bouquet ul.oss expressly
desired not 10 DO So Dut the chic place Ia wnicn
orange blossoms used the ~spaper
accounts OF weddings. The reporters conclude thdt
brides ought TO wear orange movers. II tn-y dOn t.
Bride roses. white and scentless, are popular Tor
bridal flowers. but lilies OF the valley. uno1.ru-vr
and delicate, slipping out OF their httie sreen
shea;hs with few orchds. grouped wltn tne.n ~
give the whole form and character. are In exquisite
taste. -
customer IN order TO preserve mis- reputation ior
good taste. We have regular patron who IS al ,
the time springing on us new and fantastic oombina-
tons which he wants carried Out; as tnc MOWERS are
TO go 10 other homes than his OWL We are ioath 10
bear the criticism.
What are wearing for afternoon teas and
There is a great fancy now for mignonette the
finest understanding sprays OF which bring a
good price Ii is In excellent taste not the least bit
gaudy. and with Just SUGGESTION of perfume
what curtailed since the season in town grows
shorter with the revival Of lie in TIE country"
said the dealer.
III does not seem hard work." said an onlooktr
glancng al the men who were punching viocis
INTO salable clusters and tying the stems with
Just at this moment It does not. but often We
work all night. and many nights In succession. and
the leading spirit. he who knows the design he is
striving to carry out can't rest the next day either
,nUins car II handsrm LII ia t coo ana
off, say on Monday night We begin nat at ocosE Da
sunday night and work straight through uniil The
debris and truck are all cleared away the following
evening. You see those men there wiring iaponicas;
We VIII take healthy looking japOnica bush and
make II literally laden with blooms That is the
only use We have for japonicas now. as superbly
beautiful as they are. ! can remember the time.
t tf only owers we could depend on in the @ner
but tine florists business has made rapid ana long
strides since then
Perhaps the hardest work we have is whom there
is big church wedding. with an entertainment at
late as possible. that the flowers Will be fresh.
and all the background must be done early, so mat
time may be left for filling In Sometimes almost
AT the last moment. effect which was counted on
as novel and striking success fails to give salts
faction. and extra work and blooms must be sub
sttuted. 49,, -
I'm the matte. q bouquet making alone coca
slonally find people quite unreasonable; they would
not go to a drygoods store and. after selecting ma
ferjal for a gown expect to have II made mp for
them for the cost OF the goods and yet they Will
come In here and expect to get bouquet. IN shape
IN use for the cost Of the flowers. What 90
those flowers cost? they ask. Six dollars dozen.
Then they order a bouquet Of dozen or more. and
IN get OF
flowers alone. The green USED IN Indsslng the
flowers, the taste In arranging them. the time in
preparing them, must, according TO thci:
notion all thrown in gratis. That plan works in
Newnort: because the florists submit the inpO-
sitior but II won't work in New York. because
everything is higher here and there would be No
profit in IT.
NELSON AND TIE QUEEN or NAPLES.
H.. me