effect. In many sections of our country the Laurel grows abundantly, and we are always 

 pleased to obtain a package from our friends about Holiday time. Its broad, green 



leaves, are unsurpassed, even by the Ivy, for winter 



decoration. Smilax excels everything we are 



acquainted with for tasteful trimming. It is so 



light in appear- 

 ance, of such a 



clear, glossy 



green, that for 



trimming dresses 



or the hair, or 



any light materi- 

 al, we know of 



nothing in the 



world its equal. 



Our engraving 

 : shows a curtain 



trimmed with 



this beautiful 



1 plant. It is a 



climbing vine, 



growing to a 



great length, and 



can be bought of 



PICTURE TRIMMED WITH IVY. flonStS by the 



yard. It succeeds very well in the house, and may be grown either from the bulbs or seeds. 



FOR THE TABLE. 



The subject of Floral Decoration for the table is attracting a good deal of attention, and in 

 Europe prizes are awarded at many of the Horticultural exhibitions for the most highly orna- 

 mented dining table. We have seen many such on exhibition, and our objection to many of 

 them has been that the floral ornaments obstructed the view, so that persons sitting on one side 



TABLE WITH FLORAL DECORATIONS. 



of the table could scarcely see their friends on the other, much less converse with them. The 

 accompanying plan obviates this objection in a great measure. The tall ornaments are of glass, 

 and very light, so as to obstruct the view as little as possible. The low margin is glass troughs 

 filled with water, in which small flowers are arranged. These glass troughs are made straight, 

 and half and quarter circles, so that combined they can be made to assume any form desired, 

 even letters and monograms, for which purposes we have seen them used on festal occasions. 

 Sometimes the central ornaments are omitted, and these flower borders surround and ornament 

 the Thanksgiving Turkey. 



34 



