Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-01

"NW e~xM the pressure VI Ouc
III SHOWS and frOsts of
IN winter. is making an
effort to show her gratitude for ba!my air
and warm sunshine. She sends form her
earliest and most beautiful floral treas
ures, aud they have the freshness and
vigor Of youth and the fragrance that goes
with the FIRST blossoms. The dainty and
fragrant violet is then at its best, and the
same IS true OF other flowers that might
be named
The observance of Easter by the
churches calls for the employment or
large number of flowers in the decora-
sions of affairs and chancel rails. III
Washington it is rare that any formal de-
sign of decoration is carried out, but
masses of flowers and palms are banked
an profusion wherever they can be placed
most effectively. The Easter lilies-ihose
faniliorly known as the st. Joseph )
lilies, as well a. those of the Gala varie-
ty-arc most frequently employed. but be-
sides these there are used hydranSeas,
both Of the pink and white variety dafio-
dils rhododendrons. the yellow genesta,
iitacs. both purple and white, the spir'a
japoHca, azaleas and tulips. These, with
palms and ferns in pots. can be eomOineu
10 make beautiful and artistic effects, ana
many churches spend good deal OF
money for their Easter decorations. IL Is
not usua; in this city for the church au-
thorrties to give an order to a florist ana
then throw upon him the responsibility
for the character Of the work. 1t is Gus
romary for the ladies' of a church or
committee Of them to undertake the Eas-
ter adOrnment. and they make their pur-
chascs of the flowers required from many
different places. Easter decorations are
growing each year.
The custom is 80 beautiful that cOngre-
cations that formerly paid no special at
seption 10 the observance of Easter now
book forward To that festival with pleas
urabe anticipation of the joyous appear
snce chat their houses of worship VIII pre-
sent dccked in fragrant flowers and grace
ful palms on the day that commentaries
the last act N the consummation OF the
scheme OF salvation.
Roses are largely employed in these
Faster decorations, although roses are
fiJwers that are obtainable the year
round Those that reach their best deyel-
opu,ent at this time are the Magma Char
10 The Bruner and the Baroness Roths-
Child. 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 decoration, either
On pots or in vases, and go 10 make UP
Beautiful harm6nies of color.
The custom OF making Easter presents
has found 4 new avenue for the employ
unent of flowers. The old habit of sending
cards is out of date, and instead the gift
IL now something Of beauty or utility. If
she former. nothing is more welcome to a
lady than box of cut flowers or bloom
ing plant. The giving of flowers at Eas-
ger time is now very general, and its OBJ
seryance in this city is constantly in
Cr,-asing. Flowers are SO beautiful, so
graceful. so fragrant, so suggestive of all
s!,at is tender and refined that they indi-
cato the culture and good taste of the Civ
or es well as furnish satisfaction and
pleasure to the recipient. Many q hard
feeling has been softened by gift of
fowers. and many an estrangement has
Seea healed through the medium of roses
or other fora presents.
Formerly il was in good form TO send
fiowers either loosely cut in a box or ar
~
stiit allowable. only if they are worked
into bouquet or basket or any other set
design they are Ornamented with bows and
streamers Of handsome ribbon, the colors
to he either in harmony or contrast with
The cOlors of the flowers, as the taste of
the giver may suggest. The most elabo-
rate of floral gifts is probably found in a
barge deep basket with great long handle.
which can he painted and gilded, so as to
hedghten the richness of the whole thing.
This basket is either filled with earth or
moss. and Il border of ferns or Scotch
heather IL made: then can be placed a
rose bush. an aZalea, lily, tulips, big
rssodOdendrOn or a hydrangea, or. in fact.
any number OF flowers that the basket will
hold. all with roots, and good prospect
OF continuing life. Then the handle of the
basket ean be ornamented with ribbon in
any way that may be desired.
1t is good form now 10 send a lady a
Pobted plant OF any kind at Easter, and
those who are able TO indulge themselves
extensively in this manner leave orders
for flowers 10 be sent TO their friends. Sc
1ecting roses for some, or a pot Of lilies
of rhe valley for another, and palms. aze-
bess or any flower already named for 9TH
ers. A novel idea that will be employed
this year is to place bows Of ribbon be-
tween the blossoms of flowers, the color
70 contrast with the color of the bloom.
These bows are attached to long wires
that are wound around the branches and
stalk Of the plants SO that they are held
hrmiy in place and make a very pretty
effect Perhaps there may be some who
kbnk that the flowers themselves growing
IN their strength and beauty are sufficient
without the enumeration of ribbon, but.
this is the latest fad, it must go with
saose who desire to be considered in the
swim. However. although this NAV be
she fashion. il need not deter man whose
tastes lie in that direction from sending
hts best girl growing flower without any
other decoration than his own card
Washington Star.