The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-02-21
THE HOUSEHOLD.
economical Floral Decorations.

A well-known New York florist, who
has for many years decorated Thanks
giving and Christmas tables for the sick
OF the metropolis, gives this informa-
ton to those who cannot afford a dis
play of flowers for table decoration.
Combining his instruction with q fair
amount of taste. q lady can make q
beautiful table with q limited supply of
blossoms.
lance, and here is a design for o pretty
and effective one which will cost but q
tri1e. Twigs of holly not more than
three inches long, with occasional twigs
of variegated holly and a few sprays Of
small-leaved ivy or golden-veined
honeysuckle, should form the base and
trail on the tablecleth out in several di-
rections. White and yellow c~hrysanthe-
NUNS and q few sprays of maiden hair
fern will be sufficient for q center.
If more color and variety are desired,
white and red primroses or camellias
are flowers that will keep fresh. The
center will be low, and if a higher is de-
sired, make n small cornucopia for the
center, and throw about its base an extra
mount of twigs and fern. hiding it's
sides. From the center should rise white
Roman hyacinths and small sprays of
sS"i1eI SeIhAluus' ouOulu vases OF
flowers be used in addition to the sen.
ter-piece, they should be supplied with
sprays of evergreen and some different
kinds of flowers, as the effect will be
much greater if the flowers contrast with
those in the center.
Potted plants are much liked for
tables, and those of moderate size look
we'll if not over-crowded. Two plants
will invariably be found sufficient,
Fancy baskets or dishes, filled exclus-
lively with maiden-hair fern, are very
beautiful. The various shades Of
Chinese primroses or cyclamens light
up we'll, and there are several small
flowers which can be used with effect
with fronds of maiden-hair fern.
1t fruit is desired as a center-piece,
instead of flowers, o few vine leaves
with their beautiful autumn tints, if
they can be secured, should be used.
II not, take laurel, ivy, or bay leaves,
ing is ~handsomer for q dinner-table
than leaves, and these can be had at a
small cost of all florists in midwinter.
A bright and pleasing effect can be had
with holly, particularly if the berries
can be used in connection with them.
Carnations are beautiful in white and
red for q center-piece, with maiden
R affG holy rs i h Gbr sas1 aS n8s e sSFt il val fal
better. very little of any leaf, twig
or flower looks letter than too much,
and the danger is Ill overlooking. Table
decorations are meant us rests to the
eye, and they should not usurp the place
of more important things required for
the table.-Drake's Magazine.
Hints to Housekcepors.
IRON rust is removed by salt mixed
with lemon juice.
A TABLESPOONFUL ofsoda added to the
water in which ironware is washed will
facilitate the cleaning.
A cREAK1NG hinge can be cured by the
use of q black-lead pencil of the softest
number, the point rubbed into all the
crevices of the hinge.
KEEP large squares of thick PASTE
board hung conveniently to slip under
pots, kettles, stew-dishes and spiders
whenever you set them down.
To ExT1NGU1sH the fame, should the
oil in q kerosene lamp accidentally take
fire, throw over n wooden blanket, q rug,
o piece of carpet, shawl, or any other
wooden fabric at hand.
For washing red table linen, use tepid
water, with o little powdered borax,
which sets the color. Wash the linen
separately and quickly in weak suds.
Rinse in tepid water containing q little
boiled starch. Hang in the shade, and
iron when nearly dry.