The tendency at present is to keep the floral
decoration low ; tall growing flowers, when they
are used, being put in slender glasses, or arranged
in such a way that they do not obstruct the view.
From the conversational point of view this is a
great advantage, as it is never pleasant to be
forced to look around ornaments in order to
talk to some one at "the opposite side of the
table.
Harmony of colour with the surroundings, a
sense of proportion as to height, size, and shape of
vases, a lightness of touch in the grouping together,
with a quick eye for possibilities in the blending
of shades, are all necessary to insure success in
the arrangement of flowers.
SEASONABLE DECORATIONS
Spring Decorations. — Spring brings with it a
glorious variety of flowers ; tulips, narcissus,
hyacinths, pheasant’s eye, daffodils, &c., follow
each other in quick succession. These may either
be cut and arranged in vases, or put on the table
growing in pots ; the latter having an added
interest if grown by oneself. There is nothing
easier to grow than bulbs of all kinds, and, if
placed in pretty bowls with cocoanut fibre, they
can be used for table decoration as long as they last.
Violets also take a first place among spring flowers
on account of their sweetness, but unfortunately
they do not make a good show at night. A
favourite combination is that of dark violets with
the lavender- coloured Neapolitan variety. Dark
violets with the pale purple iris also look well,
while a large bowl of lily of the valley, surrounded
by smaller ones with violets, is very effective and
charming. Lilac, too, in all its blending shades,
is a sweet spring decoration, but it is somewhat
difficult to arrange, except on a very large table.
Another important niche in our spring decorations
is filled by the little salmon pink anemones. Sold
in small bundles of unopened flowers, they look
insignificant to those who do not know their value,
but when they have been in water for a short time
in a warm room, a lovely show is made by the
gradual unfolding of the buds to their full size.
Their colour alone makes them valuable, coming at
a time when so many of our flowers are white or
yellow. The larger variegated anemones are also
pretty, and perhaps more showy, but they do not
blend so well with other colours.
Summer Decorations. — The rose, the queen of
flowers, in all its many forms and shades, is the
most beautiful decoration at this season of the
year. As a queen it must reign alone, no other
flower being permissible near it. For table de-
coration it is better to choose roses of one colour,
or various shades of the same colour, for example
a blending from pink to crimson. Never attempt
mixing colours ; it is a fatal mistake, and the result
never looks well. There is perhaps nothing more
beautiful than an old silver or china bowl filled
with dark crimson roses, kept in place with wire
or leaden clips ; or long-stalked pink roses with
perfect foliage in clear glass vases. Rambler
roses, although more difficult to arrange, are also
pretty, if the clusters are not too heavy, and
suitable vases can be found. Carnations, in all
their varying shades, rank perhaps next to the rose
in beauty of colour and fragrance. They look best
when arranged with some very light-looking green,
such as maidenhair or asparagus fern.
Page 1032
Presented as published in 1914. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The tendency at present is to keep the floral decoration low ; tall growing flowers, when they are used, being put in slender glasses, or arranged in such a way that they do not obstruct the view. From the conversational point of view this is a great advantage, as it is never pleasant to be forced to look around ornaments in order to talk to some one at the opposite side of the table.
Harmony of colour with the surroundings, a sense of proportion as to height, size, and shape of vases, a lightness of touch in the grouping together, with a quick eye for possibilities in the blending of shades, are all necessary to ensure success in the arrangement of flowers.
SEASONABLE DECORATIONS
Spring Decorations. — Spring brings with it a glorious variety of flowers ; tulips, narcissus, hyacinths, pheasant’s eye, daffodils, &c., follow each other in quick succession. These may either be cut and arranged in vases, or put on the table growing in pots ; the latter having an added interest if grown by oneself. There is nothing easier to grow than bulbs of all kinds, and, if placed in pretty bowls with cocoanut fibre, they can be used for table decoration as long as they last. Violets also take a first place among spring flowers on account of their sweetness, but unfortunately they do not make a good show at night. A favourite combination is that of dark violets with the lavender- coloured Neapolitan variety. Dark violets with the pale purple iris also look well, while a large bowl of lily of the valley, surrounded by smaller ones with violets, is very effective and charming. Lilac, too, in all its blending shades, is a sweet spring decoration, but it is somewhat difficult to arrange, except on a very large table. Another important niche in our spring decorations is filled by the little salmon pink anemones. Sold in small bundles of unopened flowers, they look insignificant to those who do not know their value, but when they have been in water for a short time
in a warm room, a lovely show is made by the gradual unfolding of the buds to their full size. Their colour alone makes them valuable, coming at a time when so many of our flowers are white or yellow. The larger variegated anemones are also pretty, and perhaps more showy, but they do not blend so well with other colours.
Summer Decorations. — The rose, the queen of flowers, in all its many forms and shades, is the most beautiful decoration at this season of the year. As a queen it must reign alone, no other flower being permissible near it. For table decoration it is better to choose roses of one colour, or various shades of the same colour, for example a blending from pink to crimson. Never attempt mixing colours ; it is a fatal mistake, and the result never looks well. There is perhaps nothing more beautiful than an old silver or china bowl filled with dark crimson roses, kept in place with wire or leaden clips ; or long-stalked pink roses with perfect foliage in clear glass vases. Rambler roses, although more difficult to arrange, are also pretty, if the clusters are not too heavy, and suitable vases can be found. Carnations, in all their varying shades, rank perhaps next to the rose in beauty of colour and fragrance. They look best when arranged with some very light-looking green, such as maidenhair or asparagus fern.