The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-12-23
CHRISTMAS GREENS.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR USE IN
DECORATION.

Beautiful Effects Produced by the Artistic
Arrangement OF Cedar. spruce and Pine.
Mountain Ash and Holly Berries-Flow-
ers Do Not Harmonic with Evergreen.
Evergreens are almost wholly de-
pended ON as material for Christmas
decoration. Whatever else comes into
play in the decorative scheme is regard
cd as accessory. But while the consid-
GRAFTON of that part of the subject which
treats Of what may properly be called
foundation effects is Of chiefest impor-
lance, the consideration OF accessories
should not be neglected, for by the use of
them we secure variety and can produce
effects that could not be brought about
If nothing but evergreens was used.
Cedar is used extensively in the man.
ufacture of wreathing for festooning
arches and many other parts of build
ing. but if you want pleasing results do
not confine yourself to it to the exclusion
of other varieties of evergreen. If you
do, you are certain to have too much
sameness. and the result will be very
tame effect.
Spruce is valuable where fat work 10
to be done because of its fiat habit Of
branch formation. Hemlock. for some
reason, is seldom used, but il is very
beautiful and lends itself to fine effects
much better than spruce or cedar. Pine.
because OF its holder and more irregular
habit. will be found to produce light
er. airier effect. and it should be used
much more extensively than it is at
present. Large branches Of it are ex-
tremely pleasing when used where the
strength and dignity which characterize
them can be brought out fully. Never
attempt to make use OF them in places
where their natural freedom has to be
hampered and restricted. Make them
into wreathing. and they will surely
disappoint you, because you have tor
tured them into unnatural shapes, and
their individuality, which is one Of
their charms, is lost. If you have q
large surface whose baroness you wish
to break up pIeasingly, make a sort Of
panel Of it by running border of green
cry around it, and across it dispose as
naturally as possible large branch or
a combination of branches of pine. If
full of cones, all the better. The effect
will be very good if the branches are al
lowed to retain their II tural shapes. If
not, the piece will be sure to haunt you
for long time to come, with its mute
but powerful accusation OF your viola
ton of artistic taste.
Holly is always beautiful for decora-
ton, but because of its scarcity and its
expense it is frequently not thought adj
visable TO use much Of it. If you have
but little, do not weaken the effect by
scattering it about here and there, but
concentrate it. Confine it to the altar or
the chancel. Running pine is very pref
ty for use about the ohanoel rail, around
the font or as decoration for chande-
liers or the organ front, where large
branches or heavy festoons would seem
out Of place.
To brighten the somewhat somber
effect of dark evergreen foliage the ber
ries of the mountain ash are extremely.
useful. Concentrate the color effect
given by them as much as possible at
each point where used. One large mass
Of light color, showing against a dark
background. is much more pleasing
than several small spots of it distributed
over considerable space.
In making wreatbing always use q
stout, small rope as foundation. Cord
is quite likely to break from the weight
of the branches used on it. especially il
long festoons are needed. Use stout
Irvine of some dark color or fine wire
for fastening the branches in place. In
making up wreathing do not allow it
to become fat, as it is quite likely to if
care is not taken to arrange the branches
used about the rope instead of ON it.
A very pleasing effect may be secured
by the use of pine as an altar or chancel
over with powdered mica after giving
them sprinkling of glue. They will
have the appearance Of being covered
with PARTICLES of hoar frost. This effect
is quite easy to produce if the work is
carefully done. 1t is well to experiment
little to ascertain just what consist
ENJOY the glue should have and how to
apply it in order to secure the desired
effect. A most charming panel can be
made by running large branch Of pine
thickly covered with this imitation Of
frost across background Of rich color.
II this branch is full of cones, gild them
and you add another touch Of brightness
to the picture that heightens its charm.
II it has no cones of its own, it will be
found an easy matter to attach some by
wires and give them natural appear
ance
Flowers should never be scattered
about among such decorations. They
are not in harmony with them. If any
are used, let them be confined to the
altar. White ones will be found most
effective. Lilies are best Of all. Neither
would l advise the use of palms or other
plants Of similar character in combina-
tion with evergreens. II they are used.
keep them by themselves. I am some
times asked about designs" for Christ
mas use-"bells, " stars" and the like.
Invariably / discourage any such idea.
A Christmas bell" in evergreens is q
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