Evening star., 1949-03-28
By Violet Faulkner
Food Editor.

FOOQ
In recent issue of Whats
New in Home Economics" there
appeared a book supplement on
the basic rules of etiquette in use
in the majority of American homes
today. 1t covers most of the con-
troversial questions that arise on
social customs and conventions of
today's mode of living. I think it
is worth repeating . . at least
in part. The information includes
selection of silver, china. glass
ware, table settings, decorations
and suggestions for planning
parties.
When the bride starts out to
furnish her new home there are
certain fundamental rules she
should know to guide her in the
choice of equipment. In selecting
silver there are two principal kinds
to consider, sterling and plated.
Sterling means the silver contains
921a per cent pure silver plus 712
per cent hardening alloy: one
sterling silver teaspoon contains
as much silver as there is in a
silver dollar. Plated ware on the
other hand is a base metal plus a
thin layer of silver. The amount
of silver used in the coating on
two good quality plated teaspoons
is equal to the amount of silver in
one dime. There are literally hun
dreds Of patterns for you to choose
from, make your choice according
to your personal taste but do make
sure the pattern you select is per-
inanent. It's heart-breaking to
start pattern only to find several
years later it has been discon-
tinued. The amount you buy is up
to the size of your pocketbook.
Some girls like to start with one
complete place setting, adding to
it as circumstances permit. Others
prefer to purchase their teaspoons
or salad forks so they can use
them as they go along. Your goal
as to the number of settings will
depend on the individual needs.
A basic service for eight should
include these pieces: Eight each OF
luncheon knives. luncheon forks,
salad forks, butter spreaders, 16
teaspoons, 3 tablespoons, l butter
knife, sugar shell. l gravy ladle.
Optional pieces are: Cold meat
fork, tomato server. sugar tongs,
oyster or cocktail forks. iced tea
spoons, soup spoons. demitasse or
coffee spoons.
It's time we'll spent to shop
around and look at dinnerware
before you make up your mind as
to the kind you want. There are
two principal types of dinnerware,
china and earthenware. China Is
the finer and more expensive OF
the two; earthenware is made OF
clays which do not fuse but
change their original structure
during the firing process. the
gay, colorful pottery which Is be-
coming so popular for general use
and informal entertaining is a
form of earthenware. If you can
afford it, it is wise plan to nave
at least two sets of dinnerWare.
The set of fine china to use Tor
special occasions and when you
want your table to look its best.
The other set can be OF bright
pottery for informal use. Try to
harmonic your dinnerware with
the silver pattern you choose. AS
in the case of silver, the amount
of china you buy will depend on
what you are prepared to spend.
But buy an open stock because
with even the most careful han
ding china has a way OF being
broken. So choose a pattern
where the pieces may be replaced
if necessary. AS a service for 3
you will need 8 of each OF the
following: 10-inch dinner plates,
finch salad plates, 5-inch bread
and butter plates. cups and
saucers. soup plates or cereal
bowls, fruit saucers, 3 vegetable
serving dishes, / meat platter, l
gravy boat. Additional pieces to
add as you can manage 1t are:
Sugar bowl, cream pitcher, salt
and pepper shakers. covered vege-
table dishes, cream soups, egg
cups.
Setting your table need cause
you no undue alarm If you follow
a few simple rules. Be careful
when it comes to arranging the
centerpiece. keep it simple and in
harmony with your linen and
china. Keep it low (never more
than IL inches high) so the people
seated opposite each other can
manage a conversation without
craning their necks around Gre
alton that resembles the Empire
State Building. Here is q. chance
for the hostess to show off her
artistic ability and imagination
in her choice of unusual con-
tainers and arrangement of sea-
sonal fruits, vegetables, leaves or
flowers. Unusual effects can also
be achieved by the use Of glass
birds. lovely figurines, crystal balls
or other such ornaments.
AS for silver on the table, use
only the pieces necessary for the