1868 . ] 
TABLE DECORATIONS. 
175 
their stalks resting in the wet sand. The ordinary Fern leaves are as pretty 
as anything for this purpose, especially the leaves of the Male Fern, bundles 
of which may be always bought in Covent Garden Market for a few pence, 
and may everywhere be found in the country. The leaves are often a foot 
long, but little more than half this length of leaf should project beyond the 
border of the glass; the leaves should be stripped off the lower part of the 
stalk, which can then be more easily placed in the sand. Other kinds of 
Ferns can be used, and many other borders besides Fern, such as Ivy, 
Holly, Vine leaves, Arbor-YitsB, Pelargonium, and Rose leaves. The Ferns 
should be slightly bent, so that the tops of the leaves rest upon the table. 
The stalks of all border leaves, except Ferns, should be fastened into the 
sand with common hair pins, such as can be bought at 4 d. or 6d. a-lnmdred. 
These keep the leaves secure in case the glasses have to be much moved 
about after being arranged. The whole surface of the sand should then be 
