Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1911 — The HOME DEPARTMENT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The HOME DEPARTMENT

JAPANESE IDEA BEST

SHOULD NEVER BE CROWDED INTO BOWLS. /■ . ■ -A One Perfect Blossom More Beautiful Than a Bunch—How to Obtain Artistic Effects In House ■ Decoration. The most artistic effects with cut flowers are had by selecting the jar holding thexn with regard for the blossoms themselves and using only, a, few flowers at a time. The mistakemade by a girl who is not in the habit of Axing flowers for the house, is to crowd the bowls and vases. The Japanese idea, which is fast gaining ground here, that one perfect flower by itself is more beautiful than a bunch of the same, may- be demonstrated by any girl to her own satisfaction. Invaluable in gaining artistic effects are those small iron rings which, drop* ped into a flat dish or bowl, serve'as a support for the stem, so ( that eich flower will stand without resting against the sides of the receptacle. These iron or bronze rings are to be had in all flower shops - and almost wherever brass pots are sold. They are shaped in various forms, sometimes being turtles with punctured back, triangles, circles, crescents, etc. All are inexpensive. It is a small turtle, and the tiniest copper bowl, upon which one girl relies for the finishing touch on the table in her own sitting room. The bowl is three inches high and about the same distance across the opening. It tapers slightly to the base, and is lined with transparent enamel. In this rests always a turtle abopt two Inches long. Into his back is thrust the floral burden, beginning in the spring with jonquils. Three jonquils with a few sprays of their own foliage make a most charming effect. Later two irises are enough at a time, for they are of large size, and more would be confusing to the eye. Wild flowers of various kinds are used when they can be had, and if the stems are too small it is a simple matter tb pack the hole with a little foliage crushed in. It is not unsightly and makes the stem firm. A small bunch of mignonette, thrust into one hole of the turtle, the turtle then being in a shallow green dish, suggests a little green fountain with a pool beneath. Almost without exception garden flowers look better in china and metal receptacles .than in cut glas. Nothing lovelier can be imagined than white and blue larkspur in a low cooper bowl or a brass jar; in jglass it does not beglxuto be as effective. The same is true of other out of door blooms. Brass and copper, especially the latter, when polished, add a, most delicate note to the color scheme. It is a mistake to mix flowers when arranging them. Generally speaking, they are Infinitely lovelier if each kind is kept by itself. There are, however, some which are more effectlye in combination, as, for example, mignonette. The latter 18 nice with any flowers not having foliage, as It supplies the required green.