TABLE DECORATION. 



271 



hyacinths, while clumps of Lily of the Yalley are even more popular. A few berried 

 plants are suitable for the purpose in question, notably Ardisia crenulata, Solanum 

 hybridum, and Eivina humilis. It is desirable that the plants be grown in small pots, 

 the 5-inch size usually answering best. If in larger sizes, the chances are they will 

 have to be turned out, and the soil reduced before they can be placed in cups, vases, 

 or other receptacles. Ordinary moss is rarely good enough for covering the soil, T and in 

 any case is inferior to tufts of Selaginella Kraussiana prepared specially for the'purpose. 



What makes it somewhat difficult to lay down hard-and-fast lines as to methods of 

 decorating dining-tables, 

 is the fact that the cir- 

 cumstances and acces- 

 sories in private estab- 

 lishments differ greatly, 

 no two being quite alike. 

 Fashions also change. 

 The most successful de- 

 corator is he or she who 

 is sufficiently resourceful 

 to be able to utilise 

 everything to the best 

 advantage. When there 

 is to be a heavy display 

 of costly metal on the 

 table, probably a few 



Fig. 157. Pandanus Veitchi. 



plants in the cups, with 



flowers nearly, or quite, on the cloth would be the most appropriate adjuncts. If neat 

 little plants are removed from pots, reducing and flattening the^soil, these can be set^in 

 moss on circular pieces of paper, and be alternated with dishes of fruit, in a line well 

 clear of the space required for the comfort of the guests. From these small mounds 

 of moss, fronds of fern, or sprays of Asparagus plumosus nanus, may radiate, and in ' ( the 

 moss be dibbed a few choice flowers, all of one kind and colour. If space permit, larger 

 plants and mounds, lightly covered with flowers at the base, may be disposed between 

 cups, candelabra, or other ornaments, through the centre of the table, and a grand 

 display be created. 



