TABLE DECORATION. 



273 



Hendersoni, Clematis indivisa lobata, Habrothamnus Newclli, and Tropeeolums, taste- 

 fully employed. At one time semi-circular zinc and glass troughs filled with showy 

 flowers were freely disposed round centrepieces, candlesticks, and plant vases, in 

 various designs. At their best, these troughs were harsh, stiff, and formal, and it is to 

 be hoped are either broken up or packed away where they will not easily be found 

 again. 



In another form of table decorating, the dessert, or a portion of it, is displayed in 

 raised glass or china dishes ; no heavy silver or other accessories are then employed, 

 but only light, fancifully formed, tinted glass vases and other receptacles for flowers. 

 First, however, a piece of either coloured sateen or "Liberty" silk is placed in the 

 centre, setting a central bowl or vase for flowers on it, before puckering up the material 

 in a fashion to resemble a "soft sea of drapery." This is bordered by trails of 

 greenery, or sprays of flowers of a suitable colour to contrast well with the silk, while 

 here and there either miniature vases holding a single flower or single blooms are 

 inserted or laid in carefully among the folds of the drapery. At the corners and other 

 spaces where there is room, other light vases, tastefully filled with flowers, are employed, 

 and if finger-bowls are used, these also have a spray of fern and a flower laid in them. 

 By way of a variation on this plan, squares, or oblong pieces of crimson plush, or 

 squares richly worked with gold (usually Persian) are laid in the centre, while on 

 and about them are arranged bowls or vases of flowers of a colour to contrast favour- 

 ably with the coloured central cloth. A modification of this plan has been introduced in 

 the shape of coloured table-cloths, squares of white damask being placed under the 

 plates, and removed when the dessert is prepared for. 



Decorations in the form of archways of flowers and greenery have nearly had their 

 day, but the plan of arranging long trails of greenery, or greenery and flowers, from a 

 central high vase, connecting these with either vases or candlesticks, is still practised, 

 and, if lightly done, is attractive. Trophies of mixed fruits or fruit, flowers, and 

 foliage, were once familiar, but now nearly dispensed with, for the simple reason that 

 they are bound to be too heavy. It is better to display the best fruits on separate 

 dishes, letting these form part of the design for decorating the table, It is well for the 

 gardener, or a trusted assistant, to dish up the fruit, and if it cannot be placed on the 

 table before the floral part of the decoration is commenced, empty dishes may be sub- 

 stituted for a time. In many instances, the dishes of fruit on the table remain intact, 

 the same quality of fruit from the sideboard being handed round for use. 



VOL. III. N N 



