Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-26
1904 EASTER GIRL
Novel Ways to Arrange the
Popular Flowers.
ORCHID Is FAVORED
ARTISTIC BASKET MADE OF
PUSSY WILLOWS.
Paper Hats and Imitation Prayer
Books Make Pretty Re-
ceptacles.

The Easter girl OF 1SO4, unlike her sister
Of past years, will not be content to receive
her floral gifts in the old-style way, in loose
punches tied with ribbons. She has pro-
crossed, and her floral favorites, to have
the proper effect, must be sent in intricate
ly woven baskets of pussy willows and
what not, and placed inside in all sorts Of
fantastic ways.
This is especially true Of the orchid,
which will have the place Of honor in the
heart of the Easter girl Of 1904. Florists
predict that over a quarter million Of dol
lars will be spent for orchids alone at
Easter time. II is also estimated by deal
ers that over eight hundred thousand of
these choice flowers will be needed in New
York alone to satisfy the demands, and
Chicago and Philadelphia will each con-
sumo almost the same number.
The manner of presenting these exquisite
blossoms has received much careful study
They are like magnificent picture. which
needs a handsome frame to complete It,
Therefore the setting of the orchid must be
harmonious and artistic to preserve Its
beauty.
A favorite medium for sending out orchids
to the Easter girl is to mass them in bas-
kets made of young pussy willows. These
tender young things have been forced in
hothouses by some florists on purpose for
Easter baskets. Other florists have had
their men scour suburban town and country
for the earliest pussy Willows, and they
have been brought to the city in carts.
into baskets is interesting. All sorts of odd
shapes are introduced in the weaving,
which is done quite as Systematically as
any other method of basketry.
The Nest Basket.
The most popular shape this year is the
nest basket. The pussy willows are woven
round and round, like nest with the
pussy heads saucily protruding here and
there to liven the dark green and brown Of
the twigs. This nest has a glass receptacle
to fit it, and will be filled with orchids,
some Of the petals straying over the nest.
Another favorite style of basket will
be the one In the shape of a diamond,
with four handles meeting in the center.
This, too, will be filled with orchids and
violets, masSed separately. Some of the
blossoms will be attached to the handles
and will fall gracefully over the edges
of the basket.
These receptacles will not only be used
for presenting flowers, but the Easter
hostess will use them for decorative pur-
poses in giving her luncheon or dinner.
Nothing could be daintier or more in
contrast than delicate tints Of the Cat
telya labiata orchid the rich shades of
the violets and the dark framework Of
the basket.
Orchids will also be used to set off
the beauty of spring toilets. Some
times tney Will De combined with VlOletS,
but more often they will be used alone.
In any event, they will be arranged
shower fashion, with long loops of rib
bon to match them.
The sweet-smelling violet. will also be
sure of favor for the Easter girls adorn-
ment, especially this year. when Easter
comes early. This daylight flower will
constitute badge Of fashion in the
brave show of Easter raiment.
Corsage bouquets will be tied with an
imported corduroy ribbon, which is to
take the place of satin ribbon, and the
gold or violet cord. The new ribbon
comes In green and violet color, both of
which will be used in tying boxes, bas-
kets, hampers and corsage bouquets.
The shower bouquet, which has been en-
tirely a feature of weddings until re-
Gently, VIII be in great favor among young
women for Easter. For violets, lilies of
the valley and even pansies it can easily
be arranged by using very narrow green
ribbon Violets instead Of being punched,
Will be arranged to hang gracefully when
worn IN this manner.
A Crepe Paper Hat.
One Of the prettiest ideas for presenting
violets to the Easter girl is to make an i'm
mense garden hat of violet crepe paper.
having double white crepe paper frill
about the brirn. Fasten a bow Of broad
violet ribbon at each side, and tie In a
loose bow on the under side. Turn the hat
upside down and fill with violets and their
leaves.
Another clever idea is to give a genuine
garden hat coat of gliding or silyering
then to turn back the corners to form a
square. Fasten the latter with loops of
ribbon or cord and tassel, and fill the hat
with flowers.
opened. will be found to contain violets
lilies of the valley or pansies, will be a
suitable gift for the devout girl. The case
can afterward be used as receptacle for
4ha v.ro no.
titles on the backs of the favorite book of
the recipient, are seen among the novelties
as receptacles for flowers.
Sentimental people will be pleased with
the Idea of sending flowers to the Easter
girl in an imitation photograph album in
closing a picture of the giver. This will
also be carried out in more expensive ideas
as sometimes a miniature of the recipient
will be laid on top of the flowers
Make Work Baskets Later.
Something new In the way Of rustic work
baskets will be used for vtolets, lilies of
the valley, pansies, azaleas and such small
blossoms These baskets come in all sorts
of oriental shapes, and are made of moss
green wood plentifully sprinkIed with fit
tiers to resemble snow. They are tied with
ribbons Of contrasting shades.
Roses will be popular among those per-
sons whose purses are not expansive enough
to indulge In orchids and vioets for the de-
light of the Easter girl. The American
Beauty will be sent out with the long stems
tied with ribbon of oriental design. These
roses will also be presented in tall, va
riegated Bohemian glass vases marvellous
in coloring and design.
Many designs in vases are shown One
Of the prettiest seen was large pond lily
resting on a huge leaf of mirror glass.
Such vase. filled with lilies, affords the
opportunity for presenting an artistic pieca
of bric-a-brac as well the flowers.
The carnaton. that formidable competi-
tor OF the rose, commercially speaking,
will lend itself to the scheme of the dec
orator because of its size and fragrance
The choicest new varieties, which have
attained q diameter Of four inches, are
sold at a price which brings them within
reach of people of moderate means.
These spice-scented blossoms will be sent
out by the bushel in beautiful hampers of
all sizes made out of brush, the new ma
terial for baskets. The flowers are ar
ranged carelessly in the basket and the
lid II raised partially or entirely, showing
the carnations, which are apparently
tumbling out, but which are in reality
caught in position with wire pins to the
sides and on the cover. These floral ham
pers are set in big packing hampers, which
all florists use for sending out such tro-
vhfes and thav ofteu travel napv vv,f1oo