The hearthstone; or, Life at home

Then weigh the bouquet with the glass stopper of a decanter or some like convenient article to make it stand upright and prevent the bouquet from floating. Perhaps a smaller stopper on each side would keep it more upright. Place the bouquet in the centre of the dish which is at the bottom of the bath, and take the shade, holding it sidewise underneath the water, and place it carefully over the flowers, resting it on the dish. Care must be taken to keep the shade well under the water, as, when the bouquet is completed, the shade must be quite full of water, to the exclusion of all air. Lift the whole thing out of the water, slowly and with care; dry the dish and place it on the table. It is unnecessary to say that it will be very heavy. The effect is beautiful, as the flowers appear magnified through the water, and a sparkling silvery effect is given to the leaves. This bouquet will last for two or three days as it is, and by changing the water, for much longer. In removing the shade it must be placed underneath the water, and care must be taken to do this gradually, or else the glass may crack and break. Even if the flowers have a withered look when seen without the water, they appear fresh again when the water is renewed. Very small water bouquets can be made with finger glasses, and pink ones have a pretty effect. These ornaments are exceedingly attractive on the breakfast and dinner-table. Growing Smilax in the House. — This beautiful winter climber — the graceful queen of decorative vines — is adapted alike to the green-house and conservatory. With very little care it can be grown successfully as a house plant. The seed should be sown in a box, or in pots, in the house; should be kept moist till the young plants appear. The seed being rather slow to germinate, you must not think it bad if it does not make its appearance for two weeks. The young plants should be potted off into three inch pots as soon as they are three or four inches high. Once a year the bulbs should be allowed to dry off and rest; they will start into growth again in about six weeks. The vine does not require the full sun, but it will grow in a partially-shaded situation. It can be trained on a small thread across the window or around pictures. It is a climbing vine, and will attach itself to a string in just about the right condition to use for wreaths, etc., or, when required for tighter work, the branches which become entangled can be separated. A Flower Bed. — One pretty and simple way to make a flower bed is to first prepare a rich soil, make a round bed, raise it a little in the centre, then in the centre drive a stake, and to it tie a string twenty inches long. At the other end of the string tie a pointed stick, and with it, walking around the bed, make a circle ; then untie the string and lengthen it thirty-five inches long, and in the same manner make another circle around the bed outside the first ; then again make the last or outside circle five inches from the centre ; now pull up the stake, and in its place put eight or ten zinnia seeds ; of course, don't throw them all in a heap. When they come up, pull up all but three or four thrifty plants ; it is better to have a few good plants than a dozen' crowded ones. In the first circle or the one next to