432 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF FACTS. 



ORANGE. 



There are many varieties of this most deli- 

 cious, wholesome, and refreshing fruit. The 

 largest and best are from Florida and Cali- 

 fornia, and sell at the highest prices. The 

 Havana oranges are equal in flavor, but have 

 a thick and rough rind ; the pulp of either is 

 very juicy and delicious. The Maltese oranges 

 have also a very thick and spongy rind, and 

 are sometimes almost juiceless. The Sicilian 

 fruit, commonly called Messina oranges, have 

 a thin rind and a sour taste, but are usually 

 most abundant and cheap. The Florida and 

 West India oranges are in market from October 

 till April, and those from the Mediterranean 

 from January until May. California oranges 

 possess a delicious flavor. 



The Seville or bitter orange is of the same 

 variety as the sweet, but it cannot be eaten 

 raw, and is used only, in marmalades, candy, 

 etc., and for the same purpose as the lemon. 

 It is not brought to this country to any con- 

 siderable extent. 



FURNISHING. 



The reader, if impecunious, need not be dis- 

 couraged by the discussion here of points in- 

 volving considerable outlay, for, in addition to 

 these, the article contains much for his special 

 benefit. 



The Hall determines the first impression on 

 entering the house,, and it is well worth while 

 to economize elsewhere for the sake of effect 

 here. Probably the Worst possible step is to 

 buy the stereotyped hat and umbrella rack. 

 No matter how elaborate, they are always the 

 same thing over again, and generally very ugly. 

 If, however, one is needed, some simple ar- 

 rangement honestly made of good wood, with 

 "dead" finish, will probably give more sat- 

 isfaction, in the long run, than the more 

 elaborate designs in which the cabinetmakers 

 deligKt. A mirror, large or small, of some 

 original shape, framed in some durable way, 

 with pegs for the hats and coats, can be made 

 very effective. Under it, may stand a chair 

 or table, either having a drawer ; or a table 

 alone will do, for hats and coats can be kept 

 on plain hooks back under the stairs. Sticks 

 or umbrellas can be disposed of in a cheap 

 stand behind the door. If the hall be rather 

 dark, a white cast or bust at the end will be 

 very effective. A pair of horns, or several 

 pair, can never be amiss, nor can any other 

 decoration suggesting out of doors and the 

 storied halls of the olden time. 



Where there is room for them, one should 

 try to have the broad table, the clock, and the 

 little cupboard for brushes, gloves, and other 

 things that one needs on going out and com- 



ing in. A hall should look as large as it can 

 be made to look. 



Stair rods seem a ridiculous superfluity for 

 poor folks. Let the stair carpet be long 

 enough to shift as often as it wears out on the 

 edges of the steps. 



The Parlor is usually the most Philistine 

 of all Philistine American institutions. Where 

 there is the usual ill-spent wealth, the room is 

 filled with gorgeous upholstery in the cabinet- 

 maker's style of art, has the horrible "cabinet 

 rich and stylish," which usually figures on the 

 furniture man's bills for enough to buy two 

 respectable paintings, is either utterly inno- 

 cent of all works of art but a few china or 

 parian dolls and a French clock of a pattern 

 turned out by the dozen, or has the walls cov- 

 ered with paintings which are simply good 

 canvas spoiled. If such parlors were fur- 

 nished in honest pine, and one tenth of the 

 saving devoted to a few good engravings on 

 the walls, their refinement would be vastly in- 

 creased. There is no need of extremes, how- 

 ever, for the money usually spent would give 

 honest hard wood furniture, luxuriously fash- 

 ioned and cushioned, covered with good worsted 

 reps or satines, and good photographs, en- 

 gravings, or even, in many cases, paintings by 

 deserving artists. 



In the few well-furnished parlors that we 

 have, the most frequent lack is the suggestion 

 of ease. There is generally too much wood 

 shown in chairs and sofas, and too little 

 cushion. Ladies are always complaining that 

 sofa seats are too broad. Hence the advantage 

 of cushions that can be piled against each other, 

 or laid against the back of a deep easy chair. 



A good table is desirable, and a fitly colored 

 jar, contrasted with the wood, in graceful posi- 

 tion, is always very agreeable. There seems, 

 in most parlors, too much reluctance to have 

 anything around to indicate that the room is 

 used. The parlor should suggest festivity 

 rather than meditation. If colors be well 

 chosen, Brussels carpet and worsted reps will 

 produce really as good effects as richer mate- 

 rial ; though on account of the danger from 

 moths, woolen upholstery and Brussels carpets 

 are less economical for people upon whom the 

 first outlay does not bear too heavily than 

 silk fabrics, and the higher grades of carpet. 



Most parlors are oblong, with two windows 

 at one end. The spot between them is the 

 point in the whole room for effect ; all living 

 things turn toward the light. People of taste, 

 if they have plenty of money for more impor- 

 tant things, sometimes put mirrors in this 

 spot ; Philistines always do. Something bright 

 and effective should go there always. There 

 aie worse things for the purpose than a light 



