The lamps or candlesticks and the dessert dishes
are the other necessary articles on the table. These
may be placed in a line down the centre of the table,
if narrow, or in two or three lines if the table is broad.
On a circular or oval table they would be placed in a
circle. The treatment of the parts of the table left
free is the question now to be discussed — How many
purely ornamental articles are to be placed on the
table ? how many are at the disposal of the ' table-
decker ? ' what will look well, of the plate and china,
in combination with the flowers at his disposal.
Huge pieces of plate set on the table merely for
J
FLOWER DECORATIOXS. ^y
show often destroy the general effect and impede
conversation. They are better placed on a sideboard
or on a velvet-covered dresser.
China figures, either to hold flowers or as works
of art, look well, and when flowers are scarce they are
a great assistance, as a few flowers can be then
arranged so as to give the colour and life wanted.
In the hot days of summer ice in the form of
pyramids is sometimes introduced, to give coolness and
freshness to the dinner table. The pyramid must be
surrounded by fern leaves. Much caution as to the
stand must be observed, as the melted water is apt to
overflow on the table-cloth. Proper drainage must be
provided. These pyramids have to be ordered of the
size desired a day or two beforehand.
In towns, flowers of every kind can be bought in
unlimited quantity : the cost is the chief point to be
considered. How much is to be spent on cut flowers
or plants? Is the sum to be spent on a few choice
flowers, or on a large quantity of commoner flowers,
of ferns, lycopodiums, etc. ?
In the country a different set of difficulties has to
be dealt with. The temper of the gardener or the
state of the garden may suggest moderation in the
demand for roses. The greenhouse must not be
stripped for the dining-table, to say nothing of the
requirements of drawing-rooms, etc. Then again,
after a certain number of plants have lost their beauty
by indoor life, only cut flowers, and those in small
quantities, may be available. Leaves, grapes, berries,
trails of ivy, may be the only possible decoration ;
taste and skill must do the rest.
38 DECKL\G THE TABLE.
The shape, colour, and length of stem of flowers
must be taken into account, and there should be a
supply of shallow glass or china vessels at hand, with
moss and leaves, to receive hollyhocks, carnations,
roses, and other flow^ers which cannot be cut with
long stems, or the next crop would be sacrificed.
The appropriate foliage must be looked for. A skil-
ful table-decker at a great country house used to walk
through the grounds every day in search of new
combinations, not being content with the conven-
tional or convenient-to-himself supplies sent in by
the chief gardener.
It is desirable to cultivate variety as well as grace
in decorating the table. The same pieces of silver
and gold plate, of Sevres or Dresden china, the same
pelargonium pies or gardener's bouquets day by day in
a country house, become as wearisome to the eye as
boiled chickens and roast saddles of mutton are to
the palate.
Page 17
Presented as published in 1882. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The lamps or candlesticks and the dessert dishes are the other necessary articles on the table. These may be placed in a line down the centre of the table, if narrow, or in two or three lines if the table is broad. On a circular or oval table they would be placed in a circle. The treatment of the parts of the table left free is the question now to be discussed — How many purely ornamental articles are to be placed on the table ? how many are at the disposal of the ' tabledecker ? ' what will look well, of the plate and china, in combination with the flowers at his disposal.
Huge pieces of plate set on the table merely for
J
FLOWER DECORATIONS. ^y
show often destroy the general effect and impede conversation. They are better placed on a sideboard or on a velvet-covered dresser.
China figures, either to hold flowers or as works of art, look well, and when flowers are scarce they are a great assistance, as a few flowers can be then arranged so as to give the colour and life wanted.
In the hot days of summer ice in the form of pyramids is sometimes introduced, to give coolness and freshness to the dinner table. The pyramid must be surrounded by fern leaves. Much caution as to the stand must be observed, as the melted water is apt to overflow on the table-cloth. Proper drainage must be provided. These pyramids have to be ordered of the size desired a day or two beforehand.
In towns, flowers of every kind can be bought in unlimited quantity : the cost is the chief point to be considered. How much is to be spent on cut flowers or plants? Is the sum to be spent on a few choice flowers, or on a large quantity of commoner flowers, of ferns, lycopodiums, etc. ?
In the country a different set of difficulties has to be dealt with. The temper of the gardener or the state of the garden may suggest moderation in the demand for roses. The greenhouse must not be stripped for the dining-table, to say nothing of the requirements of drawing-rooms, etc. Then again, after a certain number of plants have lost their beauty by indoor life, only cut flowers, and those in small quantities, may be available. Leaves, grapes, berries, trails of ivy, may be the only possible decoration ; taste and skill must do the rest.
38DECKING THE TABLE.
The shape, colour, and length of stem of flowers must be taken into account, and there should be a supply of shallow glass or china vessels at hand, with moss and leaves, to receive hollyhocks, carnations, roses, and other flowers which cannot be cut with long stems, or the next crop would be sacrificed. The appropriate foliage must be looked for. A skilful table-decker at a great country house used to walk through the grounds every day in search of new combinations, not being content with the conventional or convenient-to-himself supplies sent in by the chief gardener.
It is desirable to cultivate variety as well as grace in decorating the table. The same pieces of silver and gold plate, of Sevres or Dresden china, the same pelargonium pies or gardener's bouquets day by day in a country house, become as wearisome to the eye as boiled chickens and roast saddles of mutton are to the palate.