In the setting of the table, as in all other artistic performances, there are certain defined rules for procedure which should be observed.

It is well that every housewife should have a reasonably intimate knowledge of those fundamental rules, and it is to her, therefore, that we dedicate the authoritative suggestions presented in the following:

Setting The Table

A "silence" cloth should always be used under the table cloth to protect the surface of the table, and to muffle the noise.

The table cloth should be laid smoothly and evenly on the table. If the table top is finely polished, doilies may be used instead of a table cloth for breakfast, luncheon or informal dinners.

Twenty-five or thirty inches is allowed from plate to plate.

Lace doilies should be arranged on the service plates, and on these should be placed the cocktail glasses for fruit, oysters or other fish cocktails. The bread and butter plate should go to the left of the place plate, above the forks. On the right of this, with the blade turned in, the dessert knife should be placed, followed in the order mentioned, by the meat knife (fish knife, if used), soup spoon and oyster fork.

On the left, nearest the plate, is the dessert fork, followed by the salad fork, meat fork and fish fork. This rule can best be remembered by observing that the silver is laid in the order of its use from the outside toward the plate.

The napkin should be placed at the left of the silver, with the fold at the top, the open edges at the right toward the edge of the table.

The napkin should be placed at the left of the silver, with the fold at the top, the open edges at the right toward the edge of the table.

The number of glasses used will be determined by the kind of beverages to be served. There are special glasses for nearly every kind. The water goblet is always essential.

Individual Cover For Dinner

Consists of plates, glasses, silver and napkin to be used by one person.

Any graceful arrangement of the glasses on the right at the head of the knives is proper. An individual salt cellar and spoon to the left with

80 A. Sigwart & Sons for Suggestions in Silverware an individual almond dish on the right completes each place. Salt and pepper shakers may be used if desired. They should be so arranged that they will be conveniently accessible to all guests.

The Table Decorations

The arrangements of flowers is always one of personal taste. Complete color schemes and original decoration ideas are frequently fully carried out in flowers. The color schemes to be used are generally determined by the season, the flowers available and frequently by the event which has occasioned the dinner. A very popular custom is to place a single flower in a slender vase at each place. A low, green centerpiece is very pleasing. A single rose laid beside each plate makes an effective decoration.