Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1896 — FLOWERS FOR EASTER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FLOWERS FOR EASTER

EXTENT TO WHICH THEY ARE USED IN CHURCH. Kladsof Floral Beauties that Are Moat Cmploycd—Potted Plants the Correct Kaater Presents— Snitjieatiooa that 'May Be Helpful in Various Ways. Variety in Decoration.

ASTER is the time fgg) tival which is It* r_A some respects the kSLJKT greatest in the enTencjlfjll dar of the Christian S .JT typifying, as does, the risen Christ, comes in the early spring, when nature, frqed from RCj the pressure of the snowsand frosts of winter, is making an

effort to show her gratitude for balmy air end warm sunshine. She sends forth her •aHiert and most beautiful flora! treasures, and they inrrrrthg- frcshness and ■rigor of youth and the fragrance that goes srvth the first blossoms. The dainty and fragrant violet is then at its best, and the same is true of other flowers that might fee named. J The observance of Easter by the churches balls for " The mipldytnent of ■ large number of flowers in the decorations of altars and chancel' rails. In Washington it is-rare that any formal de* Wgn carried out, -hot aussses of fl. 'v. r- and palms are banked la profusion wherever they <-nn be placed most cffectiveiy. The Easter lilies —‘those familiarly known as the St. Joseph’* lilies, as well as those of the calin variety are most frequently employed, but besides these there - are used hydrangeas, feoth of the pink and white variety, daffodils, rhododendrons, the yellow genestn, lilacs, hoth purple Slid white, the spires Japoniea," arnicas and tulips. These, with palms and ferns in pots, can be combined Vo make beautiful and artis'tic effects, aud many thurchcs spend a good deal of money for their Easter decorations. It is cot usual in this city for the church authorities to give an order to a florist and then throw upon him the responsibility for the Character of the work. It is eus- . tomaryfor the iadies of a church or a committee of them to- undertake -the Easter adornment. and they make their purchases of the flowers required from many different places. Easter decorations are growing each year. The custom is-so beautiful that congregations that forar.erly paid no special attention to the observance of Easter now look forward to that festival with pleaapriWe anficlimnon iof the joyous appearance that their houses of worship will preaent decked*su fragrant flowers and graceful palms on„rhe day that commemorate** the last act in the consummation of the acheme of salvation. J ' ' Hoses are largely employed In tirilt Ussier decorations, although roses are Bowers that are obtainable the year tound. Those that reach tiheir best development at this time are the Magna Charto, the Bruner and the Baroness Rothschild. Then, too, there are the Hlies of the Valley, the Scotch heather and other flowers that might be named. AH these •re employed in church decoration, either In pots or in vases, and go to make up beautiful harmonies of color. Tbo custom of making Easter presents fens found a new avenue for the employment of flowers. The old habit of sending ordt is ous of date, and instead the gift Ik now something of beauty or utility. If the former, nothing is more welcome to a lady than a l*ox of cut flowers or a blooming plant. The giving of flowers at Eraser time'is now very general, and its observance in this city is constantly' Increasing. Flowers are no beautiful, «o graceful, eo fragrant, so suggestive of all that is tender and refined that they indicate the culture and good taste of the giver as vcelL-as furnish satisfaction and pleasure to the recipient. Many a hard feeling has been softened by a gift of Rowers, and many an estrangement has been healed through the medium of roses •r other floral presents. Formerly it was in good form to send flowers either loosely cut in a box or arranged in a bouquet or basket. Ihis is •till allowable, only if they are workedInto a bouquet or basket or any other set design they are ornamented with bows *nd streamers of .handsome ribbon, the colors to be either in harmony or contrast with the colors of the flowers, as the taste of the giver may suggest. The most elaborate of floral gifts is probably found in a large deep basket with great long handle, which can be''painted and gilded, go as to heighten the richness of the wfc«i<e thing. •Rim basket is either filled with earth or moss, and a border of ferns or Scotch feeajfcer Jams tic; then can be placed a rose bush, an azalea, a lily, tulips, a big rhododendron or a hydrangea, or, in fact, •ny number of flowers that the basket will bold, all with roots, and a good prospect •f continuing life. Then the handle of the basket can he ornamented with ribbon in wy way that may be desired. It is good form now to send a l*dy • potted plant of any kind at Easter, and (hose who are able to indulge themselves extensively in this manner leave orders #or flowers to be sent to their friends, selecting roses for some, or a pot of lilies •f the valley for another, and patois, azaleas or any flower already named for others. A novel idea that will be employed AMs year is to place bows of ribbon between the blossoms of flowers, the color fla-contrast with the color of the bloom. These bows nre attached to-long wires Aat are wound around the branches and ■talk of the plants, so that they are held ■rmi/ in. pia .-e and make a very pretty affect Perhaps there may be some who think that the flowers f hemselves growing ta their strength and beauty are sufficient without the ornamentation of ribbon, but, as this is the latest fad, it must go with but who desire to be considered in the •wim. Hpwever, although this may be (fee fashion, it need not deter a "man whose taates lie in that direction from sending bis beat girl a growing flower without any •Aar decoration than his own card.— /Washington Star.