184 
THE YOUNG SCIENTIST. 
water, at least once a week. If this is 
once tried it will be found much less 
trouble than one would suppose, and the 
increased beauty of the foliage will lead 
to its repetition. Kough-leaved plants, 
such as geraniums and many others, can- 
not be washed to advantage. Set these in 
a bath-tub, or in a sink, and give their 
leaves a good drenching by using a gar- 
den syringe, if one is at hand, or else a 
watering-pot, one with fine holes, holding- 
it up high, so tliat the water will fall with 
force upon the leaves. 
§m §ixh Jep'tmciit. 
This department is intended exclusively for " Our Girls," 
and we hope to make it both interesting and instructive, 
and to this end we ask our young lady readers to assist by 
contributions, suggestions, or illustrations. There are thous- 
ands of little things that can be, and have been, made and 
done by young ladies, pertaining to decorative art, needle- 
work, etc., etc., that would be gladly followed but for a 
want of knowledge on the subject, and we know of no more 
p'easing task for a lady than that of teaching her younger 
sisters that which they are anxious to learn, and which 
may prove ol real benefit to them in the future, as 
■well as being useful and interesting for the piesent. We 
trust we will have no difficulty in persuading those who 
have something nice to show or speak of, to make use of 
this department. Remember, it is open to all, and if you 
have anything worth knowing suitable for this column, 
send it along, and we will give it our best attention. Do 
not be afraid to write because you may fancy your com- 
position is not perfect, or have other scruples of a similar 
kind. Do the best you can, and leave the rest to the editor 
of this department, and we are sure you will be pleased with 
your work. 
NE of the saddest things about 
human nature is that one may 
guide others in the path of life 
without walking in it herself — 
that she may be a pilot and yet a cast- 
away. 
— Welcome hither, as is spring to earth. 
Shakespere. 
— A generous friendship no cold me- 
dium knows; burns with one love, with 
one resentment glows.— Po^^e. 
— It'.s no in books, it's no in lear. 
To maice us truly blest— 
' If happiness has not her seat 
And centre in the breast. 
We may be wise, or rich, or great. 
But never can be blest. 
Burns. 
— A new style of vase has a surface imi- 
tating pearls, over w^hich is a design of 
water lilies. 
— Gold-fish globes in Austrian crackle 
j glass show fresh designs in violets, fern 
sprays, and delicate flowers generally. 
— A mossy surface, which is given to 
chinaware, aids the pleasing effect of 
flowers in relief straying over the pieces. 
— A pretty toilet-piece is a rose-tinged 
shell, opening and disclosing a bottle, 
also in the pottery, entwined with wild 
roses. 
— A unique lamp-shade may be made 
of a straight piece of bright-colored silk 
or satin. Shirr the top to fit the globe, 
and finish the bottom with lace. 
— Corner closets and corner "cup- 
boards " are revived, and utilize space, 
esi3ecially where it is limited. They ought 
to be more common, and not so difQcult 
of achievement. 
— Flower decorations are taking on con- 
ventional forms, much brilliant color, 
very little foliage, and a formality that is 
quite in keeping wdtli the solemnity of a 
dinner-party. 
— Hall lamps are now square in shape 
and made of beautifully-designed colored 
glass, each panel being different. Usually 
they are mounted in brass and suspended 
by a short chain or pole of twisted brass. 
— Pretty lambrequins may be made of 
the Aida linen canvas worked in long 
stitches of olive, pink, gold and blue. On 
either side of this is black velvet ribbon, 
feather stitched on with gold silk. 
— A handsome table cover is made of 
the basket flannel now so much in vogue. 
Take a square of it in crimson or olive 
and work a pretty border in bright silks. 
Finish with a fringe of crewel w^ool tied in 
around the edge. 
— For a banner screen a new idea is a 
design on discs. These are cut out in 
satin and appliqued on to deep-toned 
plush or velvet, while designs of flowers 
or fruit are worked upon them in fllo- 
selles or crewels. 
