The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-07-21

ltC uOWCkS. IL SuS pIOuuCcu IuSul III
great masses. as she does many of
them, then follow her example, mass
ing them even as she does. and the
results will be perfect. II however.
as is the case with the sweet pea, she
produces each flower stem at some
distance from the other in order to
enhance the beauty and individuality
of each flower, then for perfect and
artistic results must We again follow
her example.
Arranging Sweet Peas.
Never place sweet peas in recep-
tacle which will hold more than from
forty to fifty flower stalks. and one
which holds but twenty-five is even
better. Select always vase with
slanting sides tapering in at the bot
tom sufficiently to give the stalks the
natural slant of from thirtyfive to
forty degrees. Sprays of their own
beautiful foliage, showing few buds
and graceful tendrils. should be al
ways used among the blossoms. Then,
too. if the vase has a little flaring lip
ped edge. as is often the case. the
beauty OF your boquet will be greatly
enhanced by the arrangement of few
sprigs of mignonette together with
sprays of pea foliage, dropping over
the edge of the vase.
Vases.
The greatest care should be eXer-
cised in using colored vases. 1t is an
indisputable fact that but few decorat-
ed vases can be used with good re-
suits for bouquets. The plain glass,
crystal or bisQue vases are ever most
satisfactory. have seen vases of
most beautiful design. artistic decora-
lions and of the finest wares, holding
flowers whose colors so conflicted
with those of the vase as to make
the true artist-the flower lover
fairly shudder.
The Value Of White Flowers.
Intense blue flowers, the bright, rich
shades of the nasturtiunl. the glowing
yellows and orange shades of the CAL
ifOrnia poppy, and in fact, all intensely
colored flowers, require the addition
of white ones. not only to bring out
their beauty but also to tone down
the coloring which might otherwise
be considered too harsh and glazing.
Use plenty of bridal veil, candytuft
and sweet alyssum with the bright
colOred flowers to insure the very
best results.
Effect Of Flowers On Home Life.
Lavish and unnecessary expenditure
of money and the desire to display
such excuses in the abundance of
flowers used has caused the American
people to lose sight of the artistic
and soul developing value of flowers
in home decorations. Yet have faith
to believe that We have nearly reached
the zenith of these excuses. Our
close friendship with Japan-the nation
of flower and nature lovers-will soon
have awakened a desire to copy their
artistic methods, and although the
first thoughtAmay not be uplifting or
even SO very commendable. yet the
coming generations it will have de-
veloped into true culture and refine
ment of mind and soul. In Japan
every month in the year has its fete-
day of flower festival. And in conse-
quence the life Of the Japanese woman
is a-ripple with the gentle excitement
of these monthly events. So intensely
passionate is her love of flowers and
nature that the different flower re-
sorts of the metropolis are visited
each month, and the gentle. sweet,
refining influences of the flowers are
ever with her, radiating peace. happi-
ness and unreasonable refinement.
The children Of Japan are in conse-
quence the healthiest, happiest, sweet
est-tempered children in the whole
world. The children of THE Flowery
Kingdom" are taught that the trees,
flowers, hills, rocks, birds, waters and
all things in nature, have healing,
soothing powers; that the spirit of the
Creator in them ever throws of these
elements for the development of the
human soul. And who can say that
it is barbarous teaching? Who can
dispute the beauty of the thought?
Lives there man or woman with soul
SO dead. that they have not felt the
soothing, healing, uplifting influence
of the spirit of the woods. the hills,
and the great waters? Then how can
We deny every animal, plant and tree
the possession of a soul? Are they not
each a part of the infinite mind even
as are We? The soul of man we rec
ognize as spark of the divine spirit.
The plants and trees have an organ
ism not unlike our own. For. blood
they have circulation of sap; their
skin or bark, as the case may be,
like ours, is in many layers; they
draw nourishment from the sun, air
and earth even as do we. Then why
not learn from the Japanese the beau
tiful lessons which their nearness to
nature-consequently to God-has
taught them? Let us learn to feel and
see the spirit of God in every living
thing, and in every work OF his hand.
And let US, like them, learn to ap-
preciate them-not for the great dis
play we, may be able to make with
themAbut for the strength they give,
and for the sweet teachings of the
love OF God the giver of all blessings
which they ever whisper to us II we
will but listen.