The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-11-19
1 IDEAS for Qqu1nen.

bilious to beautify their rooms in winter
with foliage plants recognize that like
cats and dogs. caataries or children, palms
and ferns require a time for becoming
uaturalized and happy IN their new homes.
A fern or palm brought in the most
vigorous health from the florists green
house will. often enough sdroop and pine
in genuine home sickness. aud like young
animals or birds, plants thrtve most hap
PLY in zach others company. 1t is.
therefore, advisable to- begin a bit of d
window conservatory, not with one, but
aet US say with three plants.
The best selection is usually a sturdy
India rubber tree. Fscus elasticus. Is
what the florists call IT: a parlor palm,
that is an Aspidfstra iurida, and a big
pot Of zebra plan Eulalie japonica zebrina,
striped green and white leaves that grow
in an elegant cascade.
49,
All of these are recommended because
they are hardy, easily kept clean and
need pottsng only once a year They will
live, too, in a room where gas is burned,
where an occasional pipe or cigarette is
smoked and where there is a fire. In re-
turn for SO much sturdy good nature they
must have not only care, but that given
regularly every day. The woman who
complains that she can't raise house plants
is simply negligent Of them. She moves
them about too much. is not always need
full of their need of water, permits the
room sthey sit in to become very cold at
might and then very hot during the day.
Probably, too. she does not cover them up
at night. nor in any way protect them
from dust
Happily where SO many sins of omis-
sion and commission are committed the
poor things die quickly n so escape
their wretched existence. If you intend
to keep plants put them in a window
that has double sashes, and where the
greatest mou of sunshine strikes for
the longest time every day. Roll the
shades high and drape the curtains back
far and only for the liveIiest necessity
move the pots. Every day, at as nearly
the same hour as you can manage, water
these household pets. They will be CRATE
full for the regularity and unfailingly
once a week give them a bath. That is,
with a sponge and clear. tepid water gem
thy pass over the leaves. Use many
basins of water for this and as far as
you can protect them; don't let a cold
draught strike through their foliage.
A sudden chill often blasts an otherwise
hearty plant. and Just as important is
it to protect them from superfiuous dust.
When cleaning day comes around throw
big bags of old muslin or dfmity over the
green things, and as plants are usually
kept In a deep window, be sure at night
to draw down the shades and over the
portieres when the gas is lighted.
The portieres should be of some heavy,
dark stuff to keep out the light, heat and
possibly tobacco smoke. Before leaving
the room for the night one window, as
distant as possible from that in which
the plants sit. ought to be pulled down
at the top, to let in fresh air, while
the closed curtains will still keep them
warm enough.
Then, not until she has made her fire,
cleaned the CRATE and one her busting
for the day. should the maid push back
the portieres and pull up the window
shades
Under such circumstances the follow
ing plants will gafly flourish in a sitting
or dining room. or bedroom, where every
49,, plenty of heat is supplied during. the
Zter.
lnahere is the fan palm n its dwarf
oHte. called c. Lumilis; the Seaforthia
kegans with handsome fern-like leaves,
australian cabbage palm n familia Ke-
utia Fosteriana, silky Australian oak
Eucalyptus giobules. all worthy of cuiti-
walton In ones conservatory, all willing
to flourish, If their needs are considered
and wonderful beautifers of ones home.
Another lovely hardy foliage plant is
the C~entaurea ragusina, with silver FROST
ed caves that serves on occasions to
decorate the centre of the table, but the
list really is almost endless, though those
given above are enough to fill an EN-
brasure and answer for green and re-
sreshing decoration the year through.
A wise old clergyman said to a young
brother: when you go to preach in the
city. a your best coat; when N the
country. take your best Sermon
That does not seem complimentary to
the city. but it possesses a sound kernel
of truth. Wherever people have sartor-
5al advantages they are more or less
Judged by their clothes. L never see a
woma in strange garments of most
excellent cloth but eccentric cut that I
do not size her up as a woman of fads
or .1deas'' with a capital ~" She may
be a perfectly charming Independent,
woman, but she must have some faint
OF eccentricity in her makeup, and IT
will out In her garb.
The miser is known by his clothes.
and so is the ~spendthrift. This nobody
viii deny. The woman with vulgar tastes
parades herself in conspicuous attire.
and the sloven is b~edraggled and untidy.
She who lacks artistic qualities cannot
Disguise the fact so long as she goes
abroad clothed and in her right mind.
Our gowns are on very intimate terms
with US and they are bound to have re-
semblance.
Clothes express the person as thor
cughly as the eyes or voice. On the
whole, I think It must be more of a
compliment to be called a well and suit
ably dressed woman than to be called
a beauty. The one bears reference to a
single merit. the other to a diversity of
parts.
In the first place, the well dressed
woman indicates infallibiIity that she
has a level head. She does not wear
carriage dresses when she goes walking,
nor queer mixtures of evening dress at
church or theatre She must be refined.
because her clothes are never blatant.
The matter OF dress Is not a small