The Canadian Horticulturist 187 



A FERN LUNCH PARTY. 



COOL and pretty entertainment for the late summer is a fern party, 

 and especially is it within the reach of all out-of-town residents. 

 Gather from the woods as many ferns as you can, the largest to the 

 smallest — each has its particular mission in the scheme of decora- 

 tion. In sending out your invitations, paste neatly at the top of the 

 card a tiny fern of delicate pattern. On the day of your entertain- 

 ment, if the exterior of your house will lend itself to the plan, mass ferns 

 generously around either post at the foot of the steps. Have them follow the 

 railing, be arranged in shady corners on the porch, and, of course, meet the 

 eye in the hall. In the dressing rooms, over the white linen covers on the 

 dressing table ; lay the ferns so they will completely cover them, and decorate 

 the mirrors, fire-places and mantels. Exquisite effects can be made at the 

 windows with the soft lace curtains. In the drawing room bank the mantle- 

 pieces, and at one end tie a large, green satin bow, made of feather-edge ribbon. 

 Tie bunches of ferns on the lamp-shades. You will find the green or ferns will 

 blend with almost any shade of silk, but, of course, all striking inharmonious 

 colors must be removed from the green. 



When the guests enter the dining-room the effect should be that of going 

 into a ferner)-. Bank the mantle as in the drawing-room. In the corners have 

 large boxes filled with ferns, and arrange them to run up as high as possible, 

 which can be done by the aid of tacks and fine green cord. Have the table 

 laid with a fine white damask cloth, fern pattern, and at the two diagonal 

 corners arrange gracefully loose bunches of the larger ferns tied with large bows 

 of ribbon. The linen centerpiece should be embroidered in a fern design, and 

 on it place a big glass bowl filled with the choicest specimens of the delicate 

 plant. Set each plate on a mat of ferns, which can be easily made by covering 

 a stiff foundation with them. The white candles should have green paper 

 shades, and the entrees should, whenever permissible, be garnished with bits of 

 green. — Landscape Architect. 



The Marguerite Carnation. — One of the most charming summer flower- 

 ing plants we have is the carnation, but, on account of its inability to withstand 

 outdoor exposure, most varieties are propagated and grown in greenhouses. 

 When set out in the garden they are verj' unsatisfactor)-, and on this account 

 this lovely flower has been compelled to take a back seat, and give place to the 

 more hardy varieties. However, with the advent of the Marguerite, a fresh 

 impulse has been given to the growing of outdoor carnations. At the present 

 time the writer has a bed of Marguerites which were grown from seed planted 

 last April. The plants are very stocky and compact, and full of buds, while 

 some are just opening, and in spite of six weeks without a drop of rain, they are 

 as varied in color and as double, and almost as large as the best greenhouse- 

 grown specimens, and I think in fragrance even surpass them. The second 

 season is when they will appear at their best. They are quite hardy. I find no 

 difficulty in keeping them over winter if the plants are carefully covered with 

 some coarse litter, straw, forest leaves, or evergreen boughs. As a large packet 

 of seed can be procured from any florist at a very small cost, every lover of fine 

 carnations should give the beautiful Marguerite a trial. — American Agricul- 

 turist. 



