August, I9II 
thought. It is this knack in appropriate arrangement, that 
makes porch tray service appear so friendly and spon- 
taneous a refreshment. 
The illustrations show some exceedingly attractive trays 
arranged for serving porch teas and luncheons. Fig. 
1 is simply a tea tray arranged for an afternoon porch tea; 
yet so dainty is the equipment, and the arrangement, that 
with little trouble in its preparation it will make the daily 
function of afternoon tea appear a festive occasion. 
Fig. 3 is arranged for an appetizing porch luncheon. 
Here ginger ale, crisp biscuit, cream cheese, deviled herring 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
301 
It is noticed that Figs. 1 and 2 have dainty little oval tea 
cloths covering the trays. Where there is pouring of either 
tea or coffee this is appropriate, and gives additional dainti- 
ness to the serving. Figs. 3 and 4 have the polished sur- 
face of the trays exposed, where only the cold drinks are 
served with lighter refreshments. 
When a number of guests make it necessary to serve 
more refreshment than can be accommodated on one tray, 
two may be set side by side; and their attractive arrange- 
ment in this instance will require special care. The square- 
corner trays, of the same size, will be best; and they may be 
Fig. 3—Uneeda biscuit, cream cheese, ginger ale and deviled 
herring are arranged on this tray 
and prestallets are tastefully presented, the simplicity of the 
tray corresponding with that of the fare. When ginger ale, 
sarsaparilla and similar soft or “temperance drinks” are 
served, the bottles may be set directly on the tray, with 
the siphon bottle; with a plentiful supply of finely cracked 
ice in each glass. But the grape juice and the orange or 
lemonade are more pleasing in a tall pitcher, accompanied 
by the cooling tinkle of ice in the pouring. 
Another porch luncheon is shown in Fig. 2. Sardines, 
biscuit and coffee form the appetizing repast attractively 
served. Fig. 4 illustrates a dainty tray equipped with iced 
tea, lady fingers, sandwiches and cut cake. 
Fig. 4—Lady fingers, sandwiches, cake and iced tea are 
placed on this tray 
arranged to appear as one large tray when placed close 
together on the porch table, with some branches of quick- 
growing vines—pulled from the porch honeysuckle or cin- 
namon vine or other thrifty climber—hiding the place 
where the two trays join. Sweet alyssum blossoms or saucy 
pansy faces peeping from the vine tendrils will make this 
double-tray decoration one of exceeding beauty, while serv- 
ing the purpose of utility. Quick-growing, profuse-bloom- 
ing annuals, that bloom better when their flowers are picked 
daily, should form a part of every porch box or flower bed; 
and their use in the decoration of porch trays will be con- 
stantly appreciated. 
Notes on Cacti 
HE Echinocacti or Hedgehog Cacti are per- 
haps some of the most familiar of all the 
Cactus family. A number of these flower 
freely when they attain to a good size, but 
the group known as Echinopsis is much 
more worthy of attention. Nearly all 
these will blossom when they are fairly 
small, and the flowers produced are among the grandest of 
all the diffrent kinds of Cactus. These plants like an open 
mixture of good fibrous loam and small pieces of sandstone, 
well drained pots, a liberal supply of water in summer and 
practically none in winter. One of the handsomest kinds is 
found in Echinopsis Eyriesii, a plant which bears long-tubed 
fragrant blossoms of a brilliant whiteness. 
Another very free flowering kind is E. Tubiflora, a sum- 
mer blooming species with white blossoms, whilst E. cristata 
purpurea may be recommended as a variety with beautiful 
rose-colored flowers. A method which is recommended as 
a means of making these plants flower is certainly singular, 
but it has the merit of being successful, when, as occasionally 
happens with these rounded Cacti, they refuse to bloom. 
With a sharp knife, cut right across the plant from one side 
to the other, thus taking its top off. The upper portion will 
probably grow if planted in sandy soil; but in any case the 
rooted half will shortly after start to grow very freely. The 
new shoots will increase very rapidly in size, and as soon as 
they become ripened will be likely to produce flowers. 
In conclusion, mention should be made of the Epiphyl- 
lums, which are distinctive in that many of them naturally 
bloom in the autumn and winter. On account of the liability 
of most of these species to rot away, it is the custom to graft 
them upon stock of some other kind of Cactus. 
The Epiphyllum Coccineum is a very beautiful variety 
and of fairly simple culture, provided perfect drainage is 
arranged. During very hot weather these plants require 
some shelter from the sun, as they require more shade than 
any of the Cacti. When the plants are in a healthy state 
the flowers are very freely produced, and the former can 
be relied upon to blossom with regularity. 
