What patterns shall we choose for the table china ? We cannot all see beauty in the same kind of thing. Some of us enjoy bright colors and gay patterns. Some things are in good taste in certain places and not in others, however.. Although large figures and striking colors may attract our attention when we are buying chinaware, we may become very tired of the design when we see it every day. It is wiser .to buy dishes with a simple pattern and quiet color. A narrow border of gold or of gold and green is pretty ; and one does not grow tired of such a simple pattern. Notice the two designs on the china in the picture (Fig. 38) and also on the platters in the pictures of cooked food throughout this volume. Of course, if you are fortu- nate in having some old pieces of china or earthenware that belonged to your grandmother, perhaps, you will prize them and take good care of them; and they make interesting ornaments for the kitchen or dining- room shelf. If you are not quite happy without gay dishes, then select a good pattern in some pitcher, or plate, or single dish, to be used once in a while. Do you know that a THE HOME SUPPER n pretty thing interests us more if we do not see it all the time ? The Japanese, who have a strong artistic sense, have only a few beautiful objects out at one time, chang- ing one for another to refresh the eyes. In the picture (Fig. 37) you find two pitchers, good in shape and easy " Seleaion of Household Egvtpment." Year Boot. Department of AgricuUtire, 1914. Fig. 37. — Two pitchers, good in shape and easy to wash. to wash. The larger is an old-time pattern in blue. The other picture (Fig. 38) shows a pretty teapot of an antique pattern, but it is so hard to clean that it would better be kept as an ornament. We need to think of other points in our china, in addition to its beauty, you see. Flowers on the table. In a busy household and with a large family, perhaps we cannot always have flowers 78 FOOD AND HEALTH on the table ; but when the first rose opens, or some other flower is beginning to bloom, put it in a vase in the middle of the table, and see if it is not enjoyed. Setting the table for company. Of course, the table should be neat and pretty for the home people, but we ' fiLi action 0/ Homefuftd Ktiniiimrrtf ' ■ Vmr H<><i k . firparime^ of A ffrttruUufe, tSt4. Fig. 38. — A pretty teapot of antique pattern, but so hard to clean that it better be kept as an ornament. all like to honor our guests and to show them that we are glad to have them with us. Some of the prettiest dishes may be used that we do not always place on the table ; and this is a time for a few flowers arranged in the center of the table. Some people think it necessary to serve their company with several kinds of cake, and preserves ; and one wonders sometimes if their friends may not have indi- THE HOME SUPPER 79 gestion from overeating. It is in better taste, and kinder, to have only one of each kind of food, each dish well cooked and daintily served ; otherwise, the table may look as if it held a food exhibit instead of a meal. " Gold '' and " silver "' cake look pretty together on a plate, and are not too much to serve ; but one layer cake is enough for any meal. What shall we say about table manners ? One day after the Girls' Club had given a luncheon to their Fig. 39. — Incorrect position for hold- ing knife and fork. Correct position for holding knife and fork.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

What patterns shall we choose for the table china ? We cannot all see beauty in the same kind of thing. Some of us enjoy bright colors and gay patterns. Some things are in good taste in certain places and not in others, however.. Although large figures and striking colors may attract our attention when we are buying chinaware, we may become very tired of the design when we see it every day. It is wiser .to buy dishes with a simple pattern and quiet color. A narrow border of gold or of gold and green is pretty ; and one does not grow tired of such a simple pattern. Notice the two designs on the china in the picture [illustration: Fig. 38] and also on the platters in the pictures of cooked food throughout this volume. Of course, if you are fortunate in having some old pieces of china or earthenware that belonged to your grandmother, perhaps, you will prize them and take good care of them; and they make interesting ornaments for the kitchen or diningroom shelf. If you are not quite happy without gay dishes, then select a good pattern in some pitcher, or plate, or single dish, to be used once in a while. Do you know that a n pretty thing interests us more if we do not see it all the time ? The Japanese, who have a strong artistic sense, have only a few beautiful objects out at one time, changing one for another to refresh the eyes. In the picture (Fig. 37) you find two pitchers, good in shape and easy ""Selection of Household Equipment." Year Boot. Department of AgricuUtire, 1914. Fig. 37. — Two pitchers, good in shape and easy to wash. to wash. The larger is an old-time pattern in blue. The other picture [illustration: Fig. 38] shows a pretty teapot of an antique pattern, but it is so hard to clean that it would better be kept as an ornament. We need to think of other points in our china, in addition to its beauty, you see. Flowers on the table. In a busy household and with a large family, perhaps we cannot always have flowers on the table ; but when the first rose opens, or some other flower is beginning to bloom, put it in a vase in the middle of the table, and see if it is not enjoyed. Setting the table for company. Of course, the table should be neat and pretty for the home people, but we "Selection of Household Equipment." Year Book. Department of Agriculture, 1914. Fig. 38. — A pretty teapot of antique pattern, but so hard to clean that it better be kept as an ornament. all like to honor our guests and to show them that we are glad to have them with us. Some of the prettiest dishes may be used that we do not always place on the table ; and this is a time for a few flowers arranged in the center of the table. Some people think it necessary to serve their company with several kinds of cake, and preserves ; and one wonders sometimes if their friends may not have indi- gestion from overeating. It is in better taste, and kinder, to have only one of each kind of food, each dish well cooked and daintily served ; otherwise, the table may look as if it held a food exhibit instead of a meal. " Gold '' and " silver "' cake look pretty together on a plate, and are not too much to serve ; but one layer cake is enough for any meal. What shall we say about table manners ? One day after the Girls' Club had given a luncheon to their Fig. 39. — Incorrect position for holding knife and fork. Correct position for holding knife and fork.

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