find these too costly for ordinary use, or too difficult to procure. To these it may be suggested that there are many trailing plants to be had for little or nothing, which can be employed in a similar way ; such as the small-leaved gold or silver ivy, creeping jenny, canary creeper, peri- winkle and travellers’ joy. The tops of asparagus, too, can often take the place of the more expensive fern, while more use might be made of carrot leaves and those of the wild geranium, the latter often being found in delightful shades of a red-brown colour. Convolvulus trails and Virginia creeper are a splendid addition to our autumn decorations. When plants and ferns are used for table de- coration, they should be small and light looking, so that they do not intercept the view. The tiny dwarf Japanese trees and plants are very fashion- able for table decoration at present. Flower Vases. — Almost any kind of vase can be used, as long as it suits the style of flower, and does not clash as far as colour is concerned. Those made of silver, or of white or green crystal, are usually the most adaptable, although it is the fashion at present to have the vases corresponding in colour to the flowers used. Tail-stalked flowers, such as lilies, chrysanthemums, daffodils, &c., look best in high glasses, whilst short-stemmed flowers, such as violets, primroses, snowdrops, and forget-me-nots, &c., should be arranged in a low shape of vase or in little bowls. Roses look parti- cularly well in a bowl, or as single blooms in slender glasses. Most people pick up quaint vases at different times, especially on a holiday, when they can often be found both pretty and cheap. It is astonishing, too, what can be done in case of necessity ; meat or fruit tins packed with wet silver sand can be made to do duty inside an artistic basket, and, if covered with moss, will be quite as effective as a proper lining. Small glass jars, too, placed inside smaller baskets, come in HINTS ON TABLE DECORATION 653 handy ; indeed, any one at all resourceful need never be at a loss. Arrangement. — When arranging flowers, the aim should be to make the table pretty and attractive, and at the same time to think of something novel. Insert any ferns or foliage first in the vase, stripping ofl any leaves from the stalks, as these would only crowd the vase, and prevent the flowers drawing sufficient water. Then place in the flowers care- fully, making them face in the direction required. They should not be crowded, but should have room to stand out individually. The Japanese, who are so artistic, consider one choice bloom quite suffi- cient to put in a vase. If some flowers have a tendency to twist about, this can be remedied by pushing a piece of thin wire up the inside of the stem, and allowing it to project half an inch. The projection can usually be inserted into a piece of foliage or stem, and the flower can thus be retained in the desired position. Trailing green, such as smilax, can also have a little wire inserted in the stems, if it is desired to keep it in a special position.

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find these too costly for ordinary use, or too difficult to procure. To these it may be suggested that there are many trailing plants to be had for little or nothing, which can be employed in a similar way ; such as the small-leaved gold or silver ivy, creeping jenny, canary creeper, periwinkle and travellers’ joy. The tops of asparagus, too, can often take the place of the more expensive fern, while more use might be made of carrot leaves and those of the wild geranium, the latter often being found in delightful shades of a red-brown colour. Convolvulus trails and Virginia creeper are a splendid addition to our autumn decorations. When plants and ferns are used for table decoration, they should be small and light looking, so that they do not intercept the view. The tiny dwarf Japanese trees and plants are very fashionable for table decoration at present. Flower Vases. — Almost any kind of vase can be used, as long as it suits the style of flower, and does not clash as far as colour is concerned. Those made of silver, or of white or green crystal, are usually the most adaptable, although it is the fashion at present to have the vases corresponding in colour to the flowers used. Tail-stalked flowers, such as lilies, chrysanthemums, daffodils, &c., look best in high glasses, whilst short-stemmed flowers, such as violets, primroses, snowdrops, and forget-me-nots, &c., should be arranged in a low shape of vase or in little bowls. Roses look particularly well in a bowl, or as single blooms in slender glasses. Most people pick up quaint vases at different times, especially on a holiday, when they can often be found both pretty and cheap. It is astonishing, too, what can be done in case of necessity ; meat or fruit tins packed with wet silver sand can be made to do duty inside an artistic basket, and, if covered with moss, will be quite as effective as a proper lining. Small glass jars, too, placed inside smaller baskets, come in HINTS ON TABLE DECORATION handy ; indeed, any one at all resourceful need never be at a loss. Arrangement. — When arranging flowers, the aim should be to make the table pretty and attractive, and at the same time to think of something novel. Insert any ferns or foliage first in the vase, stripping off any leaves from the stalks, as these would only crowd the vase, and prevent the flowers drawing sufficient water. Then place in the flowers carefully, making them face in the direction required. They should not be crowded, but should have room to stand out individually. The Japanese, who are so artistic, consider one choice bloom quite sufficient to put in a vase. If some flowers have a tendency to twist about, this can be remedied by pushing a piece of thin wire up the inside of the stem, and allowing it to project half an inch. The projection can usually be inserted into a piece of foliage or stem, and the flower can thus be retained in the desired position. Trailing green, such as smilax, can also have a little wire inserted in the stems, if it is desired to keep it in a special position.

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