Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-12-21

tOuS undertakings, WHICH ii'oi'e 'ioho"S
tions that in geographical aret ana eA-
tent reach from across the seas TO the
Maine woods. Mistletoe, which is SO
priced by the romantic young people, who
value its significance far more than its
beauty, is at its best in England, though
a great deal Of it comes from Virginia.
The English mistlctoe has fiat, very
green leaf with large single berries, oval
in shape and peculiarly waxen in APP
pearance, while the American branch Of
the family boasts smaller leaves and
berries in clusters of three. 1t is pack
ed, when gathered in Europe, in eight
foot long open crates and shipped across
the ocean, with as much care given to its
preservation as though it were far more
precious than 1t really is, save in the
opinion Of the Economically inclined. The
common mistletoe has been associated
with many superstitions from the most
ancient times and has been highly ex-
tolled for its medicinal virtues. 1t Is,
however, excluded from the pharmaco-
poems now. The origin of the modern
custom connected with mistletoe is not
very clear Like many other customs, its
original significance is only guessed at.
If known, perhaps the innocent merri-
npDC now uSSOCIUtcu with thc pluhI
would be exchanged for n feeling of stern
disapproval, and the mistletoe would be
banished from our homes.
Mistctoe may be made to grow on the
apple and other trees by cutting n notch
in the bark on the under surface Of n
branch and carefully inserting the seed
therein. Two precautions are specially
necessary. One is to place the seed in
hat ehoI bo
directed toward the trunk Of the tree,
and the other is to avoid crushing the
seed. The apple is the tree on which the
mistlctoc grows most abundahtly. The
orchards in Hcrcfordshirc, England, are
greatly infested with this parasite, which,
however, has n value Of its own, for 1t
appears that upward of hundred tons
OF mistlctoc are annually forwarded to
London and other large towns from that
county alone for Christmas decorations.
The holly, with its bright berries and
glossy leaves, is one of the most decora-
tive greens used Mt the Christmas sea-
son and is adapted especially well to
wreath form, the color lasting longer and
the general shape being more satisfactory
than when made of the evergreen.
Strange as 1t may seem, hundreds of holly
wreaths are sent out to the cemeteries,
their green and red brightness signifying
the loving remembrance for dear ones
passed away, yet somehow little incon-
gruous even from n sentimental stand
point. One Is SO apt to associate holly
with cracking wood fires, rollicking Jolli-
ty, good eating and drinking and other
material enjoyment that in mcmoriam 1t
seems triilc out of place, yet in the
poem OF that name which Tennyson has
made immortal we read, with trembling
fingers did we weave the holly round the
Christmas hearth" So that the holly has
before its present vogue in cemeteries
been associated with the memory of those
no longer with us.
Botanicnlly speaking, the holly is ge-
nus of trees and shrubs of the natural or
der Aqui foliaccac, chiefly natives Of
temperate climates, with evergreen.
leathery, shining and generally spinous
leaves. The common holly, the only Eu-
ropean species and native of some parts
of Asia, also is we'll known ornament
OF woods, parks and strawberries in Great
Britain, the stiffness of its habit being SO
compensated by the abundance of its
branchlets and leaves as to make 1t one
OF the most beautiful cvergreens. 1t Is
found as II native plant in Scotland, al
though Britain is nearly its northern linn
It, 1t attains greater size and displays
greater luNurinnce in the northern than
in the southern parts of its geographic
range, often appearing in the former as a
tree OF considerable size. 20 to 80 feet
high, while in the latter it Is generally a
mere bush.
In table decorations holly ut the Christ
mas season is used most effectively. 1t
Is on the authority of leading florist
that we state that the correct arrange
ment OF n Christmas dinner table, so far
as its evergreen appointments are con-
cerncd. is large wreath of holly in the
center, surrounding dainty vase con-
tanning mstletoe. Over this and sus-
pended from the gas fixtures is another
Gray of mistlctoe, tied by brilliant scar
let ribbon to match the berries of the
holly on the table beneath. Near the ends
OF the table are banked masses of holly.
in the center OF which are wired upright
loops Of scarlet satin ribbon. their trail
ing ends straying over the green leaves
on to the white cloth. Tiny boutonneres
OF holy or mistletoc are placed Mt the
mems places. larger clusters, more on the
order OF corsagc bouquets being supplied
| for the fair members OF the company. So
! great has become the demand for holly
wrcathS that orders are given to the flor
lists weeks before Christmas, and il is not
unusual to send two dozen wrcaths to one
house, all the windows being dccked in
his apropos garh. any left overs doing du-
ty suspended wherever their green and
red chccrncss can be utilized to artistic
and pleasing advantage. 1t seems an ex-
travagant fad when one considers how
soon the beauty fades. yet the good cheer
that speaks from the disks OF green and
red in the mansion OF the millionaire or
the howell Of the paupcr more than com.
pcnsatcs for what our Puritan ancestors
would deem willful eNtravagance,- Phil
adclphia Times.
Christmas Dinner.
| Christmas oyster Soup
| T,,rlr Il ,yit ltaSs