Sweet peas are also favourites, and, with their many shades of pink and mauve, are particularly useful in colour schemes. They look best when loosely arranged in clear glass vases, with some pretty fight green, such as gypsophila. A simple and effective decoration can sometimes be arranged with dwarf nasturtiums prettily arranged in small bowls ; large fine blooms of pansies are also admired, and when well arranged in little bowls are very attractive. Another delightful table decoration for a hot day is formed by large marguerites, blue Canterbury bells or blue cornflowers, and some pretty grasses or corn. They seem to impart a sense of coolness. Harebells and dog daisies have the same effect, while the addition of a few red poppies gives a more festive appearance. Shirley poppies, too, in all their soft and pretty shades, are another welcome addition to our summer decorations. Arranged in tall glasses with sprays of feathery white gypsophila, they look very charming and graceful. If chosen as much in bud as possible they will last a week, and very pretty combinations can be worked out in the different colours. Autumn and Winter Decorations. — Asters and dahlias in all their varied colours now come along. The single dahlias are perhaps better than the double ones for table decoration, as they lend themselves more readily to arrangement, although a bowl of the latter, if the shades are well blended, give a rich feast of colour. The loose -petalled asters are more effective than the closer kinds, and these, too, can be had in some lovely shades. Michaelmas daisies are also valuable at this time of the year, and there are now some very pretty new varieties, small blooms that are fight and feathery-looking, and that are useful for mixing with other flowers. The Virginian creeper supplies a beautiful form of foliage for some of the autumn flowers, but it is necessary to wire it, as the leaves soon drop off. For those who live in the country 654 COOKERY FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD there is the possibility of making use of many richly shaded leaves of all sorts ; bright- coloured berries can also be utilised, and look very effective along with bronze-coloured foliage. Winter gives us the ever popular chrysanthemum, which is now grown in such quantities, and in such a variety of shades and forms. They look best in tall jars or vases, and they require plenty of water, in fact they will keep best if left in a pail of water up to their head? at night. These flowers have a long reign, and they last until the forced or imported spring flowers again begin to appear. During Christmastime, holly should of course reign supreme, helped out with white and fragile Christmas roses, which form such a delicate con- trast to the brilliant and prickly holly. Fancy pots or baskets filled with ferns and forced scarlet tulips, and tied with a green or scarlet ribbon to match, are also seasonable at this time of the year. WAITING AT TABLE AND TABLE SERVICE Intelligent and proficient waiting is essential to the success of a dinner. No matter how prettily the table may be decorated, nor how good the cooking may be, inferior service will spoil the effect. Every hostess should make a point of having the waiting done as well as possible, as this will not only add to the enjoyment and appreciation of the meal by her guests, but to her own comfort and peace of mind as well.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Sweet peas are also favourites, and, with their many shades of pink and mauve, are particularly useful in colour schemes. They look best when loosely arranged in clear glass vases, with some pretty fight green, such as gypsophila. A simple and effective decoration can sometimes be arranged with dwarf nasturtiums prettily arranged in small bowls ; large fine blooms of pansies are also admired, and when well arranged in little bowls are very attractive. Another delightful table decoration for a hot day is formed by large marguerites, blue Canterbury bells or blue cornflowers, and some pretty grasses or corn. They seem to impart a sense of coolness. Harebells and dog daisies have the same effect, while the addition of a few red poppies gives a more festive appearance. Shirley poppies, too, in all their soft and pretty shades, are another welcome addition to our summer decorations. Arranged in tall glasses with sprays of feathery white gypsophila, they look very charming and graceful. If chosen as much in bud as possible they will last a week, and very pretty combinations can be worked out in the different colours. Autumn and Winter Decorations. — Asters and dahlias in all their varied colours now come along. The single dahlias are perhaps better than the double ones for table decoration, as they lend themselves more readily to arrangement, although a bowl of the latter, if the shades are well blended, give a rich feast of colour. The loose-petalled asters are more effective than the closer kinds, and these, too, can be had in some lovely shades. Michaelmas daisies are also valuable at this time of the year, and there are now some very pretty new varieties, small blooms that are fight and feathery-looking, and that are useful for mixing with other flowers. The Virginian creeper supplies a beautiful form of foliage for some of the autumn flowers, but it is necessary to wire it, as the leaves soon drop off. For those who live in the country there is the possibility of making use of many richly shaded leaves of all sorts ; bright- coloured berries can also be utilised, and look very effective along with bronze-coloured foliage. Winter gives us the ever popular chrysanthemum, which is now grown in such quantities, and in such a variety of shades and forms. They look best in tall jars or vases, and they require plenty of water, in fact they will keep best if left in a pail of water up to their head at night. These flowers have a long reign, and they last until the forced or imported spring flowers again begin to appear. During Christmastime, holly should of course reign supreme, helped out with white and fragile Christmas roses, which form such a delicate contrast to the brilliant and prickly holly. Fancy pots or baskets filled with ferns and forced scarlet tulips, and tied with a green or scarlet ribbon to match, are also seasonable at this time of the year. WAITING AT TABLE AND TABLE SERVICE Intelligent and proficient waiting is essential to the success of a dinner. No matter how prettily the table may be decorated, nor how good the cooking may be, inferior service will spoil the effect. Every hostess should make a point of having the waiting done as well as possible, as this will not only add to the enjoyment and appreciation of the meal by her guests, but to her own comfort and peace of mind as well.

Cookery for every household