The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-27
ODER, WILSON & cos. COLUMN.


From the Lndoo Qursn-
RLately, when on a visit to country
house where the dinner table decoration Is
much thought OF, saw some varieties OF
what is called" water boquet. which.
think, some ladies who do not ALREADY
know it may be glad to hear about, espe-
ciaily at this time Of year. when flowers are
scarce, and ingenuity is taxed TO the ut
most for novelty and variety. The articles
required are a glass dish tcircuiarl, and \
low glass shade TO lit Inside the dish. You
then make bouquet according to the size
of your shade, rs there mnst be q margin
Of an inch or - between the glass ana the
flowers. The few fowers-and very few
will suffice if the shade is small-should
be lightly put together. with fern or moss
arranged as much as possible to hide the
stalks, which must be tied tirmley togeth-
er and cut close. To look well for the cen
tire Of a dinner table, the shade should not
be smaller round than pudding plate. A
larger size would look even better; but the
difficulty IN making IT is the quantity OF
water required. as You mus: place the dish
in the bottom of a bath. with sufficient
water to 20 over the top Of the shade. Then
weight the bouquet. which has already
been made this can he done by attaching
the glass stopper on n decanter to the
short stalks Of the flowers. 20 make 1t
stand upright ami proven, the bouquet
from floating: 4 smaller stopper on each
side would perhaps keep it more upright
Place the bouquet IN the centre of the dish
which is at the bottom Of the bath. and
take the shade, holding il sideways I'M
lar Ell he, ,,,l Ill - Na,at,,1t..
over the flowers, resting II on the dish.
Care must be taken TO keep the shade well
under the water. rs, when the bouquet Is
completed. the shade must be quite full OF
water. to the exclusion of all AIR. Lift the
whole thing out of the water, slowly and
with care; dry the dish and place 1t on
the table. Ii Is unnecessary 10 say that II
will be very heavy. The effect Is beautiful.
as the flowers appear magnlhed through
the water, and sparkling silvery effect Is
given to the leaves. This bouquet will last
for two or three DAYS as II Is. and by
changing the water for much longer. J
must not omit TO mention that IN remov-
ing the shade it must be placed under
meath the water, and care must he taken
TO do this grapually or the glass may crack
and break. Even If the flowers have a
withered look when seen without the
water, they appear fresh again when the
water is renewed. A boquet in this way
renovated has been known to last over a
month. Lycopodium looks very well With
the flowers. so do any scraps of fern. II
other flowers are not forthcoming, holly
and laurustinus with the leaves stripped
off. leaving only the flowers are most
effective. Adding a wreath Of real fresh
flowers or moss round the edge of the dish
outside enhances the beauty, and makes a
tasteful centre-piece. This can Toe done
with a real wreath. or by filling the small
glass troughs, forming a circle. Very
small water bouquets can Toe made with
finger glasses. and pink ones have pref
ty effect. These ornaments are cheerful
looking on breakfast-table. Table decor
atoms can he arranged with various kinds
Of leaves, few flowers and pieces Of soft
cotton wool put IN. with a preparation
called frost" sprinkled thickly on. The
Gotten wool should only peep out from
among the leaves, as a sort OF snow found
alton. Gum must be applied first 10 the
leaves, etc, or the frost will not remain
This, if tastefnlly arranged. looks well fol
lighted supper or dinner tables, when
flowers are scarce. Autumn leaves, with
| their rich tints. especially the beech and
chestnut. look particularly pleasing. Well
matched ones should hide tho edge Of the
glass and fall on TO the table.