Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-05
FLOWERS AND LEAVES
Decorative Value of Blossoms
and Foliage.
OLD TIME FAVORITES
A LUNCHEON TABLE MODEL
EASILY COPIED.
Possibilities of a Centerpiece Of Mas
turtiums-Pretty Re-
ceptacles.

Written for The Evening STAR
Now is the time when we may fairly revel
in flower decorations; not costly exoticS, but
beautiful wild flowers which may be had for
the gathering if we are within reach of
them. Florists are beginning to recognize
the beauty of some of our native wild flow
ers and to cultivate them. In their windows
GU will see jack-in-the- pulpits, lady's slip
per, goldenrod and others. Thye all make
beautiful dinner table decorations. The
charming orchidlike ladys slipper, mingled
with ferns, lends itself to this purpose espe-
cially well.
Many people discard wild flowers because
they droop so quickly, but by placing them
in water as soon as they are picked they
may be preserved for quite a length of time
The japanese keep pond lilies fresh for four
weeks by blowing into their stems liquid
made from cloves stepped in tea.
Autumn is the season which brings some
of the most beautiful growthS of the whole
year. The regions where the wild clematis
grows In abundance blest above all
others, for there is no plant which can rival
in decorative properties the exquisite grace
of its vines either when loaded with cluS-
tiers of starlike white bloom or the feathery
masses of seed vessels which follow. The
latter are the perfection of house decora-
tons. Whole trailing branches of these lux
in their graceful profusion from mantel
bracket and picture frame. Twisted about
the chandelier and in the empty CRATE they
will preserve their beauty for long period
without moisture.
The japanese, who are devoted lovers of
flowers, are also the most skilled of any
people in the world in the art of growing
and arranging them. This love of flowers is
almost as much a part of the Buddhist re-
ligion as the preservation of animal life
and 1t has developed in Japan into a nation
al characteristic. The art of arranging
flowers and plants was at first a pastime
of the priests, but the artistic nature of
this beauty loving people has made it a
high art, and today 1t is studied as SUCH to-
gether with painting and poetry. The Jap
anese use every flower that grows Moth
ing with decorative properties Is passed by
from the gorgeous chrysanthemum down to
simple branch of pine. Every green thing
is called into use, and sometimes even the
dried branches, arranged with the consum-
mate skill which they possess. are consid-
cred appropriate to the winter season.
Flowers are used exclusively in their season
in Japan, and the blossoming of the cherry
tree, the chrySanthemum and other flow
ers are made times of national fete and
semi-religiouS observance. Their arrange
ment of flowers is never compact and
massy, as our western ideas suggest, but al
ways open and more nearly following the
NATURAL growth, in which respect we would
sometimes do well to initiate them, as often
single loose, graceful spray is much more
effective than compact masses.
Sweet Peas Liked.
The oldfashoned garden flowers. such
as phlox, verbena, marigold, larkspur and
sweet pea, are coming In vogue again for
table decorations among the most fashion
able people. Sweet peas make a most
charming dinner table effect in their diff
ferent colors. of which a great variety
have been developed through cultivation
ainly 10 N or a
should be embroidered in pink. When pur-
pie are used, the centerpece may be in
lavender, and SO on. 1t is the thing to
have the motif extend to china and linen
for formal dinners. A pretty central deco
ration is floral basket suspended by rib
bons from the chandelier. The ribbons
should be of the same color the flowers,
or green to tone with the foliage a
mixture of both The basket should be
suspended a few inches above the table,
and vines and sprays of flowers are allowed
to fall over the sides and trail along the
table. SmilaX is invaluable for decoration
because it preserves its freshness for such