New-York tribune., 1900-12-24
ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREES.
TINY ONES ARE TRIMMED AND SENT AS
PRESENTS TO GROwN-UPS AS
WELL AS CHILDREN

1t is stated by the florists that a consumer of
Christmas trees New-York City ranks first. and 1t
is not to be wondered at when it is learned that
individual trees the fashion this year pres
e~ts. These miniature pines hemlocks. the
staaler the better handsomely trimmed and sent
to old as well as young. Besides the conventional
sugar plums and tinsel. many of these trees are
adorned with tiny colored electric lights.
Palms and potted plants. too popular
than ever this season. Not only they sent as
gifts but they ordered to accompany far
costly presents The boxes in which these plants
are placed are covered with bark and adorned with
large holly colored bows.
Miniature holly trees and fruit trees on which
cings the mistetoe, are tied with crimson ribbons
and whatever gift is selected to accompany tree
is concealed within its branches. The pine, spruce
hemlock and native balsam frs greatly used for
Christmas trees They are brought chiefly from
Pennsylvania, New-Jersey and Maine.
Maine the first nome of the forest pine The
giant trees produced by these forests two hundred
years ago bear little resemblance to the seedlings
which have sprung up place of the tall pines and
spruces. In the seventeenth century these trees
hourished extensively in the Maine forests that
the English sent to America for their ship masts
This country produces enormous amount Of
mistletoe; the industry of gathering it in the
Southern States gives yearly employment to thou
sshos a OF women and ch'Idren west Nrglna st pro,
with mistetoe, but the finest mstletoe. as well as
ries being larger and finer than those grown in
ths country, though they often arrive IN sucn a
| hortsts prefer the native growth.
To hang the mistletoe over the door was the
original custom Of the Drulds. the object object
they deign to enter the Druds houses another another
was their belief that the spirits of the forest res
would take shelter in their houses during the Bit
| ter cold winter months, and thus be preserved
said possess great healing properties and till the
| end OF the last century was regarded as a charm
| against evil spirits and cebacy.
It was long thought that this parasite could only
| grow on the oak and that II would be impossible
to propagate it elsewhere. After much experiment
ing it was accomplished by bruising the berries and
by means of this viscidity making them adhere to
| other trees.
True to nature, however, the finest mistletoe is
| found on the oak. though it grows abundantly on
| frs, lime trees, hawthorns, and sometimes, though
| seldom, the apple tree.
| The bringing home of the Yule log is fashion
| still kept up in many English country homes. The
| origin of this custom dates back to feudal days.
| when merry party went to the woods the day
| before Christmas and brought back the large log
which burned Christmas Day-or. rather.
| half burned for according to the custom, half of
the log kept carefully in the cellar till the next
| year. when the new one was brought in and ignted
on the DID, thus the house was insured against fire
| for the year. Though the custom of having tree
at Christmas originated in Germany, 1t not
| known in this country till the beginning Of the
| present century