Most of the material sold as table linen is imported. Its manufacture has been attempted in this country, but the temperature is unfavorable, so that the result is an inferior quality.

There are three leading supplies-the Irish, Scotch and German, the Belgian, Austrian and French being included under the latter. The Irish is considered the best and is most expensive.

The time of bleaching is a large factor in determining the value of the linen. Bleaching takes from the weight. The natural and best method is the grass bleaching in summer; next to that the snow. Artificial methods take from the strength of the fabric. It is difficult even for experts to detect the method. It is known by the times of coming into market. The grass bleached comes into the retail market about the middle of December, making this the desirable time to purchase.

A fine thread damask may not be a superior wearing fabric. The weight is the criterion. The best fabrics are not too fine, firm but not stiff and heavy with starch. Those with a more elastic, leathery appearance are better. Those patterns are less durable which have long unbroken threads.

The German damask has a closer, harder twisted thread than the others, making it a very durable linen. The Germans cater less to variety of pattern and therefore produce less showy cloths, but they are very durable and are also less expensive.

In selecting a pattern a medium-sized pattern, as the tulip is very satisfactory. It is a matter of taste to a great extent. Large patterns are more effective than small but the latter are good taste. Some patterns are so generally liked as to become stock patterns, as the snowdrop. These can be found in all stores. With other patterns only a few are woven and these are distributed to a few stores or a few of each to each store. The Scotch have excellent patterns, are finished about as well as the Irish and cost less.

In buying one should, if possible, have the exact measurements of the table on which a cloth is to be used. An average length is 2 1-2 yards, 1-4 to 1-3 yard should be allowed to drop at each end if the table be square. Two dozen napkins should be allowed for each cloth.

Material may be purchased by the yard or in pattern lengths. The latter are 50-75 cents per yard more. The German linen runs from 50 cents to $1.50 per yards. The Scotch in the bleached run from 50 cents to $2.00 or over per yard. The Irish even in unbleached begins at 75 cents or $1.00 per yard and may be $2.50 or $3.00. The latter are, of course, very beautiful goods, but for common use and durability a good quality may be secured for $1.00-$2.oo per yard.

Napkins vary in size from 5-8, as they are termed at the store (17-22 in.) known as breakfast size, to 3-4 (23-27 in.) and 7-8 (29-31 in.), the latter being very large.

There is less difference in the price of napkins in the different makes. In either the 20 in. napkins vary in price from $1.75 per dozen up. Good ones are $3.oo-$3.5o per dozen.

A heavy cloth, known as the silence cloth, is an essential accompaniment to a well appointed table. This may be of felt, or two faced cotton flannel or may be a quilted or knitted cloth on purpose.

Canton flannel, 54 inches wide, 50c yard; quilted, 54 inches wide, 62 1-2c yard; knitted, 62 inches wide, 75c yard give relative prices.