The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21
HOLLY AND MISTLET0E RULE
FLOWER BASKETS OF VARIOUS DE-
SIGN MADE FOR GIFTS.
vioIets and American Beauties Lead
I'm the Fashionable Set-DecOra-
tfons for This Year.

creased HIS fell of. In those days people
seldom thought Of giving presents of flow
ers and looked more 10 the things that
would last a remembrance. AS II is
now. however, the merchants may well be
envious OF the florist. for the fad has come
in vogue I'm the last few years to give flow
ers instead OF the more substantial kinds
OF presents. and then decorations at this
time OF the year are becoming more popu-
lar each season. The florist has the ad-
vantage over the merchants in that his
holiday trade in flowers does not begin I'M
til about two days before Christmas. and
his decorative work doesn't commence I'M
til week before. OF course when his sea-
son does start he works night and day,
for time is everything to him. His bust
ness does not cease on Christmas day, but
continues through the week until after
New Years. AS the holiday season vir-
tually lasts a whole week. and in many
families there are festivities of various
kinds each day. it is necessary that fresh
flowers be had.
The florists of this city begin to get ready
for their decorative work about two weeks
before Christmas day. AS the various re-
tail merchants decorate extensively and
as they require that their. work be done
when their trade commences. this is all
got out of the way before the decoration
of private houses begins The merchants
this year have decorated their stores in
holly and evergreen more extensively than
during former years.
In the decoration of both private and pub
lie buildings the holly is the most popular,
and it certainly deserves to be, for 1t has
been used as a Christmas decoration in
Europe since 1850 where the custom of
decorating at this season OF the year origi-
mated. The holly used in this city comes
from the East and South. 1t is said that
In the Eastern States where the holly
grows extensively there is no more pictur-
esque sight a winters day. when the
ground Is covered with deep snow, than
to- see a heavy thicket Of these trees. The
deep green leaves, glossy and oval-shaped
have In their midst clusters of the little red
berries which. covered with the snow, make
a picture I'm themselves. There is a Eu-
ropean holly of which the American holly
IS a species. This European plant is of q
smaller size, has glossier leaves and the
berries are OF a brighter red. The wood
from both of these plants is valuable 1t is
heavy. cross-grained and is used mostly for
ornamental purposes.
THE MISTLETOE.
The plant that comes next to holly in pop
ularity at this season of the year is mstle-
toe. All that is used by the florists of this
city comes from the Indian Territory and
Texas, although it grows as close as the
banks Of the Ohio. The mstletoe Is origi-
nally an English evergreen and has the pc
culiar quality of growing on trees, es-
pecially apple. poplar and maple. It's leaves
are oblong. stockless. leathery and of a
yellowish green in color. This shrub was
considered sacred by the ancient Druids,
and, Ii is probably through the customs of
these people that IL has become part of the
decoration of the Christmas season of the
more modern times. 1t is well known that
tradition gives a man the privilege OF kiss
ing the woman found standing under
sprig OF 1t. The white berries that grow
among the clustered leaves add greatly to
It's attractiveness. The mistletoe is not as
plentiful as the other evergreens. and there
fore Is more expensive.
The florists for this Christmas decoration
Nv In a large supply OF all kinds OF ever
green plants. This kind of decoration is in
are employed.
BEGONIAS POPULAR.
flower which Is going to be very popu-
because 1t is entirely local. is the Lorraine
begonia. The florists here are looking for
a heavy sale OF 1t. and one firm has $500
plants In its greenhouses and another has
between 5000 and 1000. 1t is used in cut
flower bouquets and also In baskets. where
the whole plant is used. AS the trade at
Christmas has broadened to such an extent
In the last few years the florists are begin
ming 10 look for flowers and plants which
will appear appropriate. In the decorations
of rooms and windows they now ming
ling flowers chat do not perish easily with
the holly and evergreen. The most suitable
for this purpose is the poinsettia. 1t has a
red flower which ranges In size from twelve
to sixteen inches, and the stems vary from
two TO eight feet in length. This flower is
used mostly where mantels and fireplaces
are banked with evergreen. and because of
it's color. which is of bright red with a
center composed of yellow berry-shaped
beans. II is very attractive, especially IL
there be snow on the ground. These flow
ers also make pretty window decoration
for dwelling houses during the holiday
season. The way they are used for this is
TO have large punches Of them tied with
wide red ribbon and have them placed in
some graceful manner in the window.
person VINO desires TO remember his
friends on Christmas with box of flowers
viii find that he will have no lack OF va
riety 10 select from Every florist in the
city is carrying larger stock than in for
mer years The reason for this Is because
OF the open season they have been able to
preserve more plants than ordinarily.
Flowers are always an acceptable gift, and
many men are finding out that they can
aals
time at Christmas by simply going TO the
florists and ordering boxes OF flowers for
their friends instead OF going TO the various
stores and wandering around for hours
looking at the large assortment OF things
from which they have no idea how to
choose or which Is the most appropriate
IL Is also difficuIt matter for a man to
select anything Of suitable color for very
few men have any idea as 10 what shades