EVEN The Horticulturist has its artistic fancies, and it is a pleasure to turn away from the consideration of such practical things as the garden, vineyard, and orchard, and bestow a little time and taste upon the window ornamentation. Our native ferns, grasses, nuts, etc., always afford scope for an infinite variety of arrangements in preparation for artistic home ornaments. The English Farmer, in speaking of grasses, says: "They should be gathered in July if we desire them to retain their bright hues without the aid of art. Gathered, then tied up in large bunches, and hung away in a dark closet, they come forth at our bidding fresh and green as when picked."

"By brook sides and shady places, we can find graceful grasses which will prove additions to our winter bouquets, but they will lose their coloring if gathered late. and require a dip into "Judson's green dye." Dye them again and they will last for years.

Wild oats, feather grass, and all their various species, are very ornamental in winter, and mingled with the everlasting flowers - Acroclinium, Xeranthemum, and the white, yellow, and crimson Helichrysum, they vie with their more perishable sisters, whose glories are on the wane.

We have just arranged two small vases for the coming winter. The brilliant pink and white Acroclinium, add much to their beauty.

The white Helichrysum can be dyed a brilliant purple or scarlet, with Judson's dyes, and exquisite bouquets can easily be manufactured. These "everlasting flowers" should be gathered as soon as the outer leaves open; tie them up in bundles as you pick them, and hang them up, flowers downward, to dry. Treated in this way, the stems are straight and more easily used. They can be hung to dry in one's chamber, not requiring a darkened place. Most of these flowers are allowed to remain too long upon the bushes, and their beauty is spoiled; as they become dusty, under the frequent sweepings of carpets, we dip them in cold water; their petals close entirely. We dip the grasses also to cleanse them, else they will acquire a dingy hue.

"Many persons like Chrystallized Grasses. They are easily made by dissolving one pound of alum in one quart of boiling water, suspending the grasses just over the steam - not to touch the water, and as it cools the chrystals gather. Grasses need not be dried before they are chrystallized. A few of them mingled with the green grasses and brilliant hued flowers, light up the wall.