The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-01
ri AFCADIO HEARN

.G6I AFGADIo HEARN expresses
VI himself very strongly upon the
occidental method of murder
ing flowers, as he calls it, says
Martha Cutler in uarner's Bazaar.
''After learning something about the
Japanese method, one can thereafter
consider European ideas Of floral deco
ration only as vulgarities, or what we
occidentals call bouquet as moth
ing but a vulgar numbering of flowers,
an outrage upon the color sense, bru
tally, an abomination. The state
ment is undoubtedly true, altho we are
not as wilfully brutal as the words
imply. We simply have not yet fully
awakened to the beauty of the plant as
as a. means of decoration. Japan is the
land of flowers, and the Japanese have
inherited the artistic sense from pc
culiarly decorative standpoint for gen.
erations, while we are Just beginning.
There is no lack of love for flowers,
but there is needed an instructive ap-
probation Of the entire plant from a
it it's full value and derive all possible
benefit from it's beauty. The japanese
have learned the lesson. We have not,
altho the flowers are here in the great
est possible profusion, and the benefit
OF Japan s experience is ours for the
asking.
Instead of following the usual method
of picking the flowers that particularly
appeal to us, few here. a few there,
minus the leaves, punching them to-
gether in a vase which simply answers
and placing them in the spot least en-
cumbeted with bric-a brac, let us study
them from the standpoint of making
some particular room more beautiful
Let us consider first the character of
the plant as it grows, and secondly the
relations in which it is to be placed
that we may compete with mother ma.
ture herself in the beauty of it's dis
posal. The facts to be considered are
first it's relation to other flowers, sec
ondly its relation to the receptacle in
which it is to be placed, and last OF
all its relation to the particular and
general surroundings which it is ex
pected to adorn.
AS to Mixing Flowers.
All of the flowers absolutely require
their own leaves and many of them
Better a mass of leaves and few flower!
than a mass of flowers and few leaves.
A fatal mistake is that of attempting
to mix different kinds of flowers in one
composition. 1t is not only not advisa
BILE to mi them in the same vase, but
even in the same room, if the full col
or effect is to be obtained. Once in
while an exception~may be made il
the case Of field flowers that grow to
egthe in masses, like goldenrod AM
asters, buttercups and daisies, or golden
rod and cardinal-fowers, but general,
these effects are more appropriate fo
the porch than for the. house.
| Garden flowers almost never combin
we'll. Each flower has it's own individ
uality, it's own spirit and atmosphere
as we'll as it's own color, so that eve
altho the growth may be similar an
they may be boon companions out-o1
doors, it is safer to keep them apal
where art and decoration are to becom
the mistresses of nature. It is eve
better to separate the different colors Q
the. same flower unless a rich harmon
or a pleasing contrast of complementar
colors like the goldenrod and aster
may be assured. ..--
The vase itself umst be harmonior
colonr and line. or must carry out til
. idea of growth by suggesting the mel
trail tones Of earth. grass. or water.
| must Of necessity be entirely subordil
ate to the flower itself. and this consi,
Grafton rules out all elaboratelv deco
ated or highly colored pieces, no matte
how beautiful they may be in then
selves. The simplest shapes, the uuie
est colors, and often the cheapest m
, terials are far the best.
Advice Against Massing.
:. There must be careful study
balance between receptacle and fowe
| in making up a composition The flo