Mr. Joseph H. Brown, the Ex-President of Rhode Island Horticultural Society, recently addressed the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, on Roses, and gave the following suggestions about them as cut flowers :

" The arrangement of cut roses is a matter of taste, in regard to which there does not exist a unanimity of sentiment, else we should be wearied with a continual sameness. But there are certain fixed laws that regulate the decorative art in flowers. Too many blooms are used for single baskets and bouquets, where they are crowded together promiscuously, exhibiting a mass of petals, the form and color of each separate flower being indistinct, with little of its own foliage to render the proper effect. The more nearly roses are shown as they naturally grow, the handsomer they are. The stiff artificial stem, without the leaf of the flower, propped up by smilax, ferns, and other green things than its own, is not like Nature. Hand bouquets of roses and buds are more beautiful when made of one variety with its own foliage, stems long and loosely bunched, having a small number, well chosen, of sweet odor. A collection in basket form or for parlor decoration had better lack a flower than have one too many, the object being to form a graceful, refreshing and suggestive picture, preserving an 'easy negligence mixed with art.' Show each bloom separately, reposing in its own green, and a few colors have a better effect than many.

If a combination is thought to be desirable, red, white and buff form a pleasing one. The beauty of roses is much enhanced when displayed in masses. As a rule, if there are to be many flowers, use the delicate shades; if few, the deeper tones. Large and choice roses are always more effective when displayed in proper standards for their reception as single specimens".