NEW HORTICULTURAL DECORATIONS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7259, 15 March 1889, Page 2

NEW HORTICULTURAL DECORATIONS.

[gardener's chronicle], Glasgow may be designated the " happf hunting ground" of the horticultural decorator. Business men of all classes are calling in his aid to increase the attractions of their warehouses, shops, and offices. They are no longer content to rely on architectural art and decorations in paint and gildings, to embellish their splendid Eloces of business and enhance the attracion of their wares, but are vleing with each other in rendering them fragrant with flowers, and rich in the elegance of exotic foliage plants. From the fish sod game dealer, and the butter and cheese factor to the draper and house-decorator, all are taking the matter up with enthusiasm. Even certain of the churches demand the services of the horticultural decorator weekly, and the Atheneeum, dubs, and libraries, as may be expected, are not behind in a movement of this kind. Hotels, restaurants, and other places of entertainment have for some time hack done a little in the way of table decoration ; but now they are extending their efforts to meet the growing taste of the public in this direction. The cabins of the Anchor line of steamers are regularly aad sumptuously decorated with plants for each voyage, and the Coluraba. so well known to tourists, has adopted the Idea In her cabins. Certain of the banks also h»ve groups of foliage plants or specimens of Palms and Dracaenas displayed in their handsome halls and vestibules, and last, but not least significant, two of the leading newspapers of the city have their offices decorated with plants, and are even contemplating introducing them into the compositor's room as a relief to the tedium of their occupation. Enough has been said, I think, to justify the opening assertion. lam not aware that In any other city in the kingdom so much interest is taken as In Glasgow to horticultural decoration. It Is a healthy and delightful movement that pleases every one, from the warehouseman to his customers, and even the listless lounger, who casts a passing glance on his windows, is arrested and Interested with the pleasing effect produced by the association of real flowers and foliage with every description of merchandise. . The movement has been initiated by Messrs J. and R. Thyne. nurserymen, seedsmen aod florists, of St. Vincent Street, Glissgow, who have long beep favourably known as specialists in horticultural decoration. They have long endeavoured to Interest business men In the matter of decorating their business premises, and have succeeded at last in getting them to perceive Its advantages. Tbe system Is carried out on the contract principle by the month or the year. Th» plants are at the risk ot the contractors. They are placed, watered, cleaned, Ana otherwise attended to by their own staff % and so large an amount of stock is beyono their control in the premises of others, that they have recently taken the pruden« tial measure of insuring against the con* tingenoy of fire.