Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-05
HOW TO PACK A TRUNK.
Not One Woman In n Hundred Under.
stands the Commonplace Task.
Is-o,, tho pb;yadalpbfo Tin,oc

Not One Woman In a Hundred Under
stands the Commonplace Task.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Not one woman in hundred understands
the science of packing a trunk. A trunk
properly packed will close without being
forced to shut. 1t Is not well to pack a
trunk a week before the journey is to be
undertaken. day is ample time for all
preparations. Forethought in packing con-
sists in the careful arrangement Of a wo-
mans wardrobe; the Strengthening Of bu-
reau drawers and closets into the proverbial
"apple pie ORDER" No buttons should be
missing from any of the garments, no hose
undarned all skirts should be brushed. and
all wrinkles should be pressed out OF the
gowns. Everything in order and everything
in its proper place leaves merely the simple
task of folding tho garments and transfer
ring them from bureau and wardrobe to
trunk or packing boxes. Some women pre-
fer packing boxes to trunks, but they have
little to recommend them in this country.
People on the other side avail themselves
Of boxes because fewer pounds Of luggage
are allowed each ticket.
When the Princess Eulalia of Spain WIS.,
tied this country she was followed by trail
of dress boxes and hat boxes. When the
Rajah of kapurthala came to the United
States with his wife and his royal escort
they brought with them over hundred
pieces of small luggage.
The Saratoga trunk is distinctly Ameri-
can invention. 1t is not used as much as it
was formerly; its place has been taken by
the f1at-topped trunk. The new trunk ls
quite as back-breakipg, however, to the por-
tiers and expressmea There Is much to be
said in favor Of the dress box. for 1t saves
pretty frocks from being rumpled. but they
can be packed In trunks successfully. There
is an art in folding gowns so that they
will not come from the trunk in ugly
wrinkles. First, there is the modern godet
skirt, measuring anywhere from five to ten
yards around at the bottom, and with three
plaits at the back; and the lines must not
be spoiled in the folding. 1t should be right
side out and folded from the bottom. The
center of the front breadth should be fold
ed first, and the width of the trunk careful
1y measured. The fulness of the skirt.
width by width, should be folded by this
original measure taken from the front
breadth, care being taken that every crease
is made smooth until the three back piaits
are reached. The plaits should be stuffed
with crushed tissue paper. and the paper
laid between each two folds. The sleeves
of the bodices of gowns and Numbered
skirts should be padded in the same man
ner. 1t Is also well to stuff the fronts of
full waists, 1t is quite as easy to fold gown
scientifically as to fold 1t in wrinkles.
Great economy Of space in packing is al
ways necessary, and it will be found much
better for woman with the average
amount of dresses to have one small and
one large trunk. In packing all trunks be-
gin Dy putting q llIten tower IN the DOttOm.
The heavy cloth suits should go in first. II
is well to have the body Of each gown
with it's own skirt. Between each two Co.'S
tunes should be laid one more sheets of
tissue paper. The white paper is always
wholesome and dainty, but almost every
woman has a favorite color. and she is apt
to use paper of her chosen tint. 1t is far
better to pack with the tissue paper than
with towels for 1t weighs less. If con-
venient, it Is advisable to have strap tray
for each dress, but 1t is not essential. 1t is
advisable to reserve one shallow tray for
paraSols, 1chIs feather or lace boaS, and
fans. The deep top tray should be arranged
for hats and wells; nothing else should be
put in 1t. Here again the tissue paper
be stuffed with it. and it should be crushed
in rope-like pieces and twisted about aig-
Iettes and garnitures.
The small trunk should be packed with
underclothes in the lower half This trunk
should have only one tray, which should be
moderately deep and divided into compart-
ments for shoes, gloves, handkerchief,
a gentlewomans toilet. The small trunk
tray and also the hat box In the large
trunk are often lined with lightweight vel
vet or chamois. Every trunk should be
distinctly marked in some manner, SO that
1t may be recognized at glance. An ex-
cellent marking is a five-inch red band
running across each end. On it should be
some personal stamp. In case of a water
proof enamel-cloth cover, which Is al
ways advisable, the stamp should be placed
on 1t. Two strong straps save the trunk
much strain. All trunks should have Gre
tonne slip covers that may be put over
them when a destination is reached, for few
articles are more unsightly.