Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-23
The Arrangement Of the Christmas Tree.

Spruce trees make the best Christmas
trees, but great many New EnGlau.i
balSIm pine trees are also used. ThcS.
latter produce an agreeable rrSiupuS nIur
when brought into a warm room ana gem
orally hold their needles for a longer
time than do the spruce trees The urlu-
cipal thing to bear in mind when select
ing Christmas tree is symmetry. Tho
tree should be well branChpd. with low
spreading BRANCHES. When these are top
numerous to allow f>cffcctiVe dccor.-
ton, they can be thnncd out as required
Often, however, il is necessary to insert
branches. This is done by boring holes
into the stem in slightly Slantinr dircc-
tion with a small gimlet Or augvr. ana
then inserting the branch properly Whit
tied 50 as to fit securely into the hole.
When artistically done the artificial
branches can scarcely be detected from
the natural ones.
The proper mounting Of Christmas
trees is also important. There are differ
tnt ways of doing th.S. Son. trees arr.
put into ordinary grocery boxes by max
ing hole in the top of the box large
enough To allow the butt Of the tree u
70 through, then turning the box upon
its side ana mailing q second board across
the bottom of the box upon which the
putt end OF the tree rests and mailing tho
butt To this piece of board. Thus a very
substantial foundation is secured. If tho
tree proves top-hcaNy. some large stones
can be placed in the box or On tpp NJ i'll
For small trees. little fancy garden ar
engagements are pretty. These can be-
made by taking a simple board from one
70 Two or three feet square and putting
around II miniature picket fence ANA
fastening the tree to the centre vi TIN.
garden by mailing. Scatter white sand
or gravel about the roots. or, better, ar
range SnowdriftS of cotton wadding loose
~ about them. The effect is lutte ltdlie-
Us and charming 70 childish ryc.. III
planted early in the season the trrt can
he kept all winter After having bee.
used for the Christmas entertainment il
can be put out on the balcony, in the
yard, or out-of-doors where it will look
well. Such mounted Christmas trees cln
be had from almost any florist Or nur-
seryman, the cost being very small rang
ing from twenty-five cents to one o,.lli.:'
according to size.
There are So many greens and dccora-
tive Materials for the holidays that il IN
easy 10 make nice selection. First,
there are the southern needle pines which
can be used in many ways IN d"cprIting
one : house or apartments and while.
they VIII not keep fresh very long they
have a very pretty plumc-likc effect even
after they are dry. They can w put ii to
vases or fastened up against the SHE uf
the wall and form 4 very effective feat
ure, especially when grouping is required.
lhen, there IS the never failing holll
with Us glossy leaves and rel b,trios
These vines together with the needle
pines, lockwood. hcmlock arbor vitae.
twiSs Of balsam and branches Of laurel
ana ilr produce a very pretty arrange
ment for decorating iircplaccs, corners or
mantcls.
Besides these, there IL the running
pln" rs il is commonly called which il
beautiful for use in its natural state n.
Sarlands, festOons and table decorations.
Then there is also the princess pine
which Is Of the same genus as the run