CHRISTMAS TIME IN CALIFORNIA GARDENS 
L OOKING upon the snow and ice of the East and 
then into the gardens of Southern California, profuse 
with color and fragrance, it is not easy to reconcile the 
widely diverse conditions to the same season of the year, 
even when the difference in latitude is taken into considera¬ 
tion. The exuberance of growth, the riotous ranging of the 
vines, the unusual and queer forms of vegetable growth, all 
fascinate the-eye and hold the interest and attention of the 
visitor. Mr. Charles F. Holder, who knows the country so 
well, and whose admiration for its beauties is unbounded, 
writes of the “Nooks and Corners in the Christmas Gardens 
of California” in a most attractive way and presents pen 
pictures as well as photographs of a number of unusual and 
interesting garden spots in that land of continual summer. 
ARRANGING CUT FLOWERS 
Frequently it happens that the whole beauty of a 
cluster of flowers is lost through a lack of knowledge or 
taste in their arrangement. The greater the profusion of 
flowers to be used the more essential that their massing should 
simulate Nature as nearly as possible. Various methods 
which have proven successful and devices which have height¬ 
ened this effect by tbeir use are instructively set forth by | ane 
Feslie Kift. At this season of festivity when much in floral 
decoration is indulged in the information will prove par¬ 
ticularly timely. 
DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS GREENS 
Of course holly and mistletoe are inseparably associated 
with Christmas in all Christian lands where they grow. 
Where they are not plentiful, various substitutes are used 
and many of these for beauty and grace seem even to rival 
the old favorites. Mr. Wm. S. Rice presents a description 
of some unfamiliar ones used on the Pacific Coast. That 
their selection as substitutes was fully justified, would seem 
to be conclusive from an examination of the illustrations 
accompanying the article. 
IN SEARCH OF BUNGALOWS 
Mr. Felix ]. Koch contributes a facetious account of a 
Western trip, where one object was to accumulate a large 
number of photographs of bungalows in the different places 
visited. The wide variety of ideas as to what constituted a 
bungalow in the several cities and towns visited, may be 
gathered from the illustrations. The difficulty of forming 
a correct idea of a bungalow from a composite of the illus¬ 
trations presented may well be imagined. 
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS 
Under this caption are supplied numerous suggestions 
which will be found helpful and timely to the puzzled man 
or woman who has left the Christmas shopping until the 
eleventh hour. 
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF A GREAT SHOP 
The opening of a new building by a large firm in the 
Middle West is made the topic of an interesting article. 
The far-reaching influence of this firm from a decorator’s 
view point is well brought out. The rare and unusual 
beauty of the great dome of colored glass which is the 
important feature of the main floor in this new addition is 
illustrated and described. Also the facilities offered through 
the medium of the department of interior decoration to 
those who are furnishing their homes and who desire to see 
the furniture assembled before ordering it, are described 
and illustrated. 
A REMODELED COUNTRY HOUSE 
Alary H. Northern! gives a delightful description of the 
all-year-round house of Mr. Grafton St. Fee Abbott, which is 
a successful alteration of a small country house. 1 he ingenu¬ 
ity of the architect, coupled with the excellent taste of the 
owner, has produced most pleasing results. 1 he photo¬ 
graphic reproductions show the interior of the several rooms. 
ORIENTAL RUGS FOR THE CHAMBER 
The style of room decoration or period seems to demand 
a certain kind of Oriental rug. The wide range in these 
fabrics makes it possible to secure tbe “very thing” and to 
assist in such selection, Mr. Richard Alortoti gives some 
most excellent advice, which cannot fail to be of great assist¬ 
ance to those about to furnish or refill a chamber or boudoir. 
Mr. Morton’s knowledge of rugs and fabrics make him an 
accepted authority on the subjects. 
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