150 Milady's House Plants 



dinner table, which on ordinary domestic occasions 

 should be low and unobtrusive, may now take on the 

 boldest aspect of any in the house. Certainly a 

 glimpse of gorgeous flowers shining above the shoulders 

 of assembled guests and waiters is an appetizing sight 

 before the event and a pleasant memory afterward. 

 The most important point of view, however, is that of 

 the guest on entering the house. The vision that; 

 strikes him then will be his first and most lasting im- 

 : pression. Every eff"ort should be made to give the 

 appearance of welcome and good cheer. A handsome 

 vase or handled basket of warm, cheery flowers should 

 be placed on a table quite near the door and for similar 

 reasons a pretty and rather delicate vase of flowers 

 may be put in each of the dressing-rooms. These 

 things will remain as a pleasant memory with the 

 guests long after the music and luncheon have faded 

 away. 



As Gifts to Distant Friends 



Flowers that have just been picked from. the gar- 

 den and are to be sent as a gift to a distant friend 

 should be placed in water in a cool cellar several hours 

 before being packed and shipped. A handled basket 

 fitted with a lining that will hold water makes a very 

 pretty and practical method of conveying such a gift. 

 Fill the tin loosely with green sheet moss, which may 

 be obtained from any florist, and add water until with,- 

 ; in an inch or two of the top. Into this the flower steins 

 may be easily stabbed, using a lead pencil or pointed, 

 stick if the stems are soft, the moss riot only keeping 

 the flowers in position, but also preventing the water 

 from slopping over. 



