Rnstic A dornme/its. 
and tiny bowls of silvered glass (or china) may be filled with small pots of 
maidenhair fern for the corners, or to alternate with the crystal vases. 
Small shaded lamps, too—much used on the dinner-table—add greatly to 
the general effect of soft light and colour. 
When roses are scarce, pelargoniums, freesias, Shirley poppies, and many 
other flowers, will be suitable for these specimen glasses (which should be 
about six inches high), always avoiding brilliant yellows with old gold drapery, 
and subduing the whole effect with plenty of fern or flowering grasses. With 
silk of a soft tint of green, almost any flowers may be used, and china 
of various colours ; but with old gold drapery, turquoise, or marone and white, 
are the most suitable tints for the china, with clear or frosted glass. 
A slight modification of the above plan is illustrated on p. 21. In this 
design the centre of the table may be covered with crimson plush, and 
yellow china vases, filled with white lilies, roses, and ferns, arranged in a 
free and graceful manner. The plush should be laid in a negligd style, 
and have rose blooms dropped here and there on it or at the sides. Small 
vases filled with flowers should be dotted about near the corners and sides, 
and sprays of maidenhair fern placed in the finger bowls. 
For the second plan of decoration, the softly-tinted new tablecloths are 
used in preference to the draped silk; white damask slips being placed under 
the plates, and removed at dessert time. 
On a “crushed strawberry" cloth, all pinks except those in perfect accord 
with the cloth must be avoided; here creamy marguerites, arranged lightly, 
two or three in an iridescent glass, with fern, grasses, and perhaps a spray or 
two of Myosotis dissitiflora (forget-me-not) will be perfect in effect, with 
white and gold china and iridescent glass. A tall elegant palm will be the 
centre-piece, no decided colours being needed; or Spircea jciponica , with crimson 
shaded lamps, will carry out the scheme of “ strawberries and cream.” 
On these lovely cloths it is not difficult to carry out the Anglo-Indian plan to 
perfection. For instance : on a tablecloth in soft shades of heliotrope may be 
placed a central plant of feathery fern, with a wreath of selaginella, fern, or other 
delicate foliage surrounding it, in a star, or spiral design. Violas (which are 
now brought to such a pitch of perfection) or purple pansies may be used to 
enrich these stars, which will surround every soft shaded-lamp and every dish of 
fruit on the table. The rich apricot buds of the William Allen Richardson 
rose, or buff marguerites, with fairy-like sprays of Asparagus plumosus or 
fern, may be used as occasional groups ; and the china, which must not 
