contains must be thoroughly washed out, else the chemicals are liable to rot the fabric.  It is advisable, too, to put not-to-be-used damask away rough-dry, otherwise it may crack, in the folds.  The use of colored table linens is in the worst possible taste, except on the servants’ table.  Those flaming ferocities known as “turkey-red” cloths, which seem to fairly fly at one, are not only inartistic but altogether too suggestive of economy in laundering to be appetizing table companions.

PLAIN, HEMSTITCHED, OR DRAWN

Cloths bought by the yard must be evened at the ends by drawing a thread, and hemmed by hand, never stitched on the machine.  The inch hem of a few years ago has been superseded by the very narrow one which is always in good taste, regardless of style.  Napkins come by the piece and must be divided and hemmed on two sides, rubbing well between the hands first to remove the stiffness.

There is nothing handsomer or more elegant than the fine, hemmed table linen, but if a hemstitched cloth is desired, or one containing some drawn-work design, it is better to buy the material and do the work oneself; otherwise; the expense goes into the work, not the linen, and the cost is usually about double that of the same cloth plainly finished.  Hemstitching and fancy work are appropriate only on cloths for the luncheon table, which may be of either plain or figured damask, or of heavy linen, which is often effectively combined with Battenberg and linen laces.  Neither drawn work nor hemstitching wears well, drawing the threads seeming to weaken the fabric.  Very pretty luncheon cloths can be purchased in different sizes for $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.75, etc., according to size, material, and elaboration, with accompanying napkins, 18 by 18 inches, for $2.50 or more a dozen.  A cloth just the size of the table top is a convenient luncheon size.  These cloths save much wear on the large cloths, and laundry work as well.

DOILIES AND TABLE DRESSING

The pretty present-day fashion of using individual plate doilies on a polished table at breakfast and luncheon is also labor-saving.  The plate doilies, either square, oval, or round, and of plain damask or smooth, closely woven, rather heavy linen, are hemstitched or finished with a padded scallop worked with white cotton.  The round doily is most used, and offers a delightful field to the worker in over-and-over embroidery for the display of her skill.  Linen lace combinations are also used, but they are rather for dress-up than for daily use.  The plate doilies should be at least 9 inches wide, with smaller corresponding ones on which to set the glass of water or the hot cup, and an extra one or two for small dishes for relishes and the like that may be kept on the table, etc.  They can he bought for 25 cents a piece and upward, but the average housekeeper enjoys making