PRACTICAL HINTS ON hi. ORAL WORK. [27 
Hall decorations require to be of coarser materials. The ceilings be- 
ing higher, fine green would not be appreciated, ('.round jane and laurel 
wreathing would, no doubt, be quite as satisfactory. In banking plants, 
it is a mistake to make one general line of miscellaneous varieties; in- 
stead, distribute your bright crimson and yellow foliage SO as to brighten 
your groups of darker green ; or better still, mass your brighter colors at 
one or two central points. Individualize your tine specimens by raising 
them above the others, or placing them by themselves. In the latter case, 
a covering of the pot is necessary. A simple and yet effective way of 
doing" this, is to cover the pot smoothly with fine cotton batting ; fasten 
this by tying a ribbon of some harmonious color around the pot ; now give 
a " touch " by drawing through the knot one or two rose buds and foliage, 
or any flower that will tone with the ribbon. Tissue paper may be cut into 
strips and used in place of ribbon when expenditures have to be considered. 
MANTEL DECORATIONS. 
For a mantel with mirror, frame the mirror with rex begonia leaves, 
with plants of the same grouped to the right side of mantel. Take lilium 
auratum stems with flowers and buds, and plants of graded heights ; 
with these plants and cut stems form a large crescent from the top of the 
glass to nearly the floor. Place adiantum ferns and lycopodium in pots ; 
across the mantel on this arrange water lilies so they are all reflected in 
the mirror. Bank large ferns in the grate so to make a mass of green from 
mantel to floor, and your lily mantel is finished. Arches of lilies and 
ferns are very decorative. 
A crimson-furnished room would be lovely in Perle roses and wheat, 
combined, or an}" other yellow flower, such as calendulas, chrysanthe- 
mums, tulips, pansies, etc. Any yellow foliage could also be well added. 
An elaborate arrangement consisted of an open fire-place with 
"flames" of red flowers, presumably the tritoma, over which was hung 
an old-fashioned tea-kettle of chrysanthemums. The fender and fire-set 
w T ere formed of yellow blossoms, and the tongs and shovel of marigolds. 
A rose mantel is formed by filling the mantel with long-stemmed 
roses, forming them into vines up and around the mirror, allowing sprays 
and tendrils of the main vine to fall down and reflect in the mirror. 
DRAPERIES AND SCREENS. 
Curtain draperies in doorways, arches or windows, if smilax or aspar- 
agus, are often draped back with bunches of roses or carnations. Mirrors 
are sometimes treated the same way, with draperies of smilax for the 
foundation and roses, either La France, Perle, Safrano or Mermet, fastened 
on this foundation, making a rose curtain. Draperies of snowballs, syr- 
inga and sweet peas can also be made on fine wire. Asparagus and roses 
are an excellent combination. (See decorated mirror on page S3, j- 
