d form.

It would be superfluous to dictate to those thus gifted, but some of the
unfortunates destitute of the divine intuition may be aided by the plain
directions following. I may venture to hope that the judicious
application of them will prevent the appearance of, perhaps, _several_
ugly bouquets in the world.

My first maxim has reference to vases. They should, for the most part,
be simple in design and uniform in tint. Avoid 'fishy' mouths, too wide
for their (the vases') hight. Never put Lilliputian flowers, in no
matter how large a quantity, into Brobdignagian vessels. In other
respects, endeavor to adapt your boxes to the character of your flowers.
For dahlias, flat dishes will be found very convenient, spread with
broad, green leaves.

Secondly. Do not put flowers of different shades of the same color side
by side, any more than you would wear hues as discordant together on
your person.

Thirdly. Be very careful with the foliage employed. Too much hides the
flowers; too little does not relieve them. Drooping green vines, etc.,
are always available.

Last, but by no means least, _mass_ your colors. This rule is now often
adopted on a larger scale in laying out flower-beds, and it is very
important. It gives concentration and force to bouquets, and
effectually prevents their not uncommon patchwork appearance.

If these _dicta_ seem to any one ridiculously self-evident, he may take
it for granted he is one of the geniuses, for whose service they are not
promulgated. For their efficacy, behold some bouquets.

A small, plain Parian pitcher, bearing sprays of orange-leaves and
blossoms, one full-blown, deep red camellia, solid, heavy, looking as if
carved from coral-stained ivory, many pendent abutilus, and some
graceful vine curled negligently round the handle. How like you _le tout
ensemble_!

Look again: A small vase, light buff in color, holding roses--red and
white--relieved by pansies, of intermingled purple and golden dyes, and
by sprigs of the lemon verbena, of dainty heaths, mignonette,
heliotrope, and geranium-leaves.

See this, also: A ground-glass vase, containing a perfect white
camellia, the daphneodora, and fuchsias, crimson and white.

And this: A slender, tall vase of the ruby Bohemian glass, with
varieties of the colceolaria, their tiny purses specked with brown, from
light tan to velvety maroon.

These, it will be seen, are all medium-sized bouquets. Larger ones,
requiring more mat