A brief resume of what can be easily and quickly done in a photographic way for making up attractive Christmas gifts, will, it is hoped, be of interest to those who, having a camera, have not as yet passed beyond the "press the button" stage, and consequently know nothing of the delights, as well as tribulations, of developing, printing, toning, etc. It may possibly come to pass that there will be those who, reading these lines, will be encouraged to attempt one or more of the simple processes here mentioned, and, meeting with the success easily possible, be thus encouraged to more serious and instructive work. Let us hope.

The ever present evidence of a frugal correspondent, the postal card, is at once the easiest and cheapest way of sending a Christmas greeting, and when bearing the portrait of the sender, friend or relative, or a landscape which recalls pleasant or historical associations to the receiver, is very effective. Cards already sensitized and ready for printing from the negative can be purchased in packages. Velox cards giving a black print and printing by gaslight, and sepia cards giving a brown print and printing by sunlight, are to be found at about all supply dealers. Complete directions for using are given on each package.

A variation of the above mentioned photo-postals is that of cards with embossed borders and a place for mounting a print 2 1/2 x l 1/2 in. in size. These are to be had in different colors and patterns of embossing and are very attractive.

The sensitizing solution for paper or cloth is not new but is mentioned, as it may be suggestive of new applications to some readers. Correspondence paper, envelopes and calendar mountings are the most popular channels for its use at present. For a blue print it is to be had in powder form, requiring but the addition of water; for the silver print (brown) it is in liquid form. As applied to correspondence paper it can be used to uce the most novel and pleasing effects, and is limited solely by what may be possible with the camera in use. For those sufficiently familiar with photographic processes to make up and use their own solutions, the following formula is given :

Light Sensitive Postal Cards

Apply the following solutions to the cards with a brush :

When the cards are dry float them in the dark upon a 5 per cent. nitrate of silver solution. When dry they are ready for printing. If exposed in artificial light, they require about a second. Rodinal is best for development. Another formula is:

The washed print is put into a weak muriatic acid solution, and is finally washed for 30 minutes in running water.

As a suggestion for a useful and accceptable present for any novice in photography may be mentioned an "exposure metre" or scale, by means of which the length of exposure may be accurately determined for all kinds of weather, hours of the day and rapidity of plates. The Wager scale, sold for 50 cents, is probably best adapted to beginners, as it is complete in itself, requiring no print paper preliminaries ; simply sliding the several sections to agree with the conditions existing will, after a few trials, enable the length of exposure to be accurately determined. The matter of correct exposure is a more vital matter than beginners generally think it to be, and not until its importance is realized to the extent of studying the degree of light prevailing, will correct exposures be the rule rather thau the exception. It is because the simple device above mentioned can be of so much value to a beginner, and even one of some considerable experience that it finds a place in this list of seasonable suggestions.