Evening star., 1934-12-25

q. Or what materials are Christ
mas tree ornaments made?-W. G. M.
A. Most Of the so-called Christmas
tree ornaments are made of glass.
The industry is centered in a town
called Lauscha, in Germany, and 1t is
almost entirely home industry. La
meta (tinseD, cotton, wood, papier
mache and metal are also used in
the manufacture of various lines of
Christmas tree ornaments. Incident
ally, several attempts have been made
to manufacture blown grass Christ
mas tree ornaments in this country
but they were entirely unsuccessful.
Q. What does white Christmas
mean?-H. K.
A. 1t refers to a Christmas day
when it IS showing or when the
ground is covered with snow.
@. What is the story of "The Birds
Christmas Carop?-S. N.
A. This Christmas tale by Kate
Douglas Wiggin tells the story of the
gentle little invalid, Carol Bird, and
how the uproarious Ruggles family
threw aside the society manners pain
fully acquired for the occasion and
thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas
dinner at the Birds. After a happy
day. Carol listens to the Christmas
chimes and then sleeps away her life.
@. When were Christmas trees first
used in the United States?-G. G.
A. The exact date is not known,
but it was shortly after 1910, when
England first used trees in the cele-
bration of Christmas.
@. How many kinds Of Christmas
holly are there?-R. G.
A. There are four kinds Of Christ
mas molly, two Of which are not in
reality a true holly. First, native
American holly, grown along the East
ern and Southern Atlantic Coast from
Cape Cod to Texas for about so to
100 miles inlard. Second, European
holly more glossy and larger leafed),
grown in Oregon for Christmas deco
ration. Third, , California holly-this
is not true holly. California holly
is known as toyon, or Christmas
berry. The leaves are nearer like the
mountain laurel and the plant is
grown along the coast of California
and in the foothills. Fourth, Oregon
holly and Oregon grape; the leaf is
similar 70 the true holly, but is not
holly. 1t is the native barberry.
@. When were Christmas carols
first collected and printed?-G. A.
A There are two manuscript COL
lections of carols which may be dated
circa 1500-1535. 1t is evident that
Christmas songs had a wide appeal;
they pleased both the devout and the
roisterers, and it is inevitable that
they should find their way into print.
The earliest printed collection is prob
ably Wynkyn de Worde's Christmas
Carolles Newely Imprinted" (l520).
Only a single leaf is extant. 1t con-
tains two complete carols-one a
hunting song, with no reference in
it to Christmas, and the other a
boarS head carol.
@. Where was the first lighted out
door community Christmas tree dis
played?-R. S. B.
A. The first one Of record was
erected and lighted in Madison
Square, New York City, in 1912.
@. Who is Befana?-C. D.
A This is a figure, generally rep
resenting an old woman, which is ex-
hibited in Italy on the day of Epiph-
any by children, or in shops where
things for children are sold. 1t SYM
bolizes the ancient woman of Pal
estine, who, saying she would see
them upon their return, would not
leave her work to see the Three
Wise Men bearing their gifts to the
Infant, Jesus. They returned another
way and she Is supposed to be still
seeking them. She is supposed to
watch over children and fill the stock
ings which they hang the night be-
fore Epiphany, as Santa Claus does
in Protestant countries.