HOLIES AND ORNAMENTATION OF HOMES. 



113 



to fill A'ases or group over pictures. From early June to November you can 

 find them in great variety. They should be cut just when in most perfection of 

 beanty ; some when in full bloom, others not quite so soon, and be dried quickly 

 in a warm, dark iilace, that they may retain their color. A dark closet is the best 

 place. Some should be tied in bunches and hung up, others tied together and 

 set into a glass, a vase, or a bottle will answer, that they may retain their erect 

 or drooping habit, according to their nature. I consider it in bad taste to 

 color grasses or mosses. If it is done great care should be taken to give them 

 a natural tint, but they can be renewed every year, at least such as do not retain 

 a pretty color, and this is preferable to coloring them. For those who like to 

 attempt improving (?) grasses, let them dip them in gum water and then light- 

 ly touch them to Epsom salts, or sprinkle over them a frosting w^hich can be 

 procured at the druggists, such as is used on artificial flowers. In every walk 

 you may take, you will find curious or pretty stones. The waters of every 

 rippling stream, every murmuring river, or silvery lake, flow over, or lave on 

 their borders, beautiful pebbles and shells, which, gathered and arranged, will 

 form an interesting cabinet; and the shells, Moiled in strong soap-suds and 

 brushed clean, will become snowy white, and can be formed into various beau- 

 tiful ornaments. Brackets, frames, wall and hanging baskets can be decorat- 

 ed with these shells. Cones can be used for the same purpose, and with these 

 can be imitated the most exquisite wood carving. Indeed, if graceful designs 

 are wrought out, no carving can equal them, and I know of no prettier sets of 

 brackets, baskets and frames than can be made fj'om these cones, taking them 

 from those of the pine, Norway spruce (these large ones, the scales must be 

 separated), Scotch pine and all, down to the smallest of the larches, and the 

 tiny ones of the Arbor Vita?. Flowers, leaves and buds can be represented 

 "with far more delicacy than by any carving. I use the best of glue to fasten 

 them, and when varnished the rich shades of brown are beautifully brought 

 out. One who has not seen fine work of this kind can not imagine how beau- 

 tiful it is. 



WINTER IN DOORS AND OUT. 



This charming picture Mr. James Yick has made the subject of one of his chromes. It 

 represents a stand covered with winter tlowers, house plants, etc., while from the window 

 are seen the leafless trees, the snow-covered hillside, and other evidences of winter. 



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