1869.] TABLE DECORATION. 229 



vatory, on the tops of Orange-tuTjs ; indeed, anywhere indoors. 

 Epiphyllums of all shapes and sizes are also stock plants when in 

 bloom, Standards, Pyramids, and Dwarfs, to adopt the language of the 

 Rose catalogue ; Centradenias, some of the Acacias, young Palms and 

 Cordylines, and various Dracaenas, reds and greens, especially the 

 narrow-leaved one of the latter. Bambusa variegata is very graceful 

 for cutting, or as small plants, and easily grown. Creeping or trailing 

 plants are indispensable for table decoration, for hanging round vases, 

 high ornaments, trailing among branches of epergnes or chandeliers, or 

 twining up the slender glass stems of the Marsh stands. Of these 

 there are various Passifloras, especially the common one, Tacsonias, 

 Lygodium scandens, the variegated Japanese Honeysuckle, the 

 variegated Cobea scandens, sprays of miniature Ivy, all of which 

 are easy of culture. Of fruit-bearing plants there are plenty of 

 graceful habit, such as small Orange-trees, the various Solanums. 

 Small plants of Ardisia crenulata, though stiff, are admissible on 

 account of the brilliancy of their fruits. Rivinas are also useful in 

 this section, and even the several varieties of Capsicum are enlisted 

 in the service. In this section, however, the crowning plant is neat- 

 grown Vines in pot trained in various ways ; but our favourite 

 form is the umbrella shape, on frames made for the purpose, in pairs 

 of equal height, the umbrella covered with foliage, and a fringe of 

 foliage spreading all round the edge, and some six small bunches more 

 or less hanging down underneath. These plants may be any size, but 

 small specimens from 2 to 3 feet in height in 9-inch pots are a useful 

 size j they may also be grown as bush or pyramids, and two or three 

 years in the same pots with rich top-dressings. We have known a 

 whole Vine cut from the rafter with the fruit hanging on it, and 

 erected for the occasion down the middle of the table ; but this is a 

 piece of extravagance not to be attempted except by desire on a very 

 special occasion. We have also known an old unpruned Vine reserved 

 for this purpose, the foliage and fruit tied on when Avanted ; but this 

 is a clumsy alternative which we do not recommend, having never 

 tried the plan ; indeed, all deception, in Avhatever shape, is reprehen- 

 sible. In the way of fruit for decoration, the old Queen Anne's 

 Pocket Melon is very pretty. Many more things yet occur to our 

 mind, and we might easily go over a fresh list, but those mentioned 

 are simple, and within the reach of most people. 



We would proceed to give some directions as to the mode of 

 arrangement, which, however, is not such an easy matter, but shall 

 endeavour in another paper to make a few general remarks about 

 details. The shape and size of the table for the evening must be 

 ascertained from our coadjutor, the butler ; also the number and 



