Hours.  These are from 3 to 7 P.M.

  Invitations.  These are issued in the name of
       the hostess, and may be engraved or written. 
       Sometimes the hostess writes on her card: 
       Garden party, July 17, from 4 to 7, or she
       may use an at home card, and in the lower
       left-hand corner write:  Garden party.  The
       engraved card usually indicates an elaborate
       affair.

       These invitations may be sent by mail or
       messenger.

       It is a good plan to add to the invitations
       some information regarding the trains, or to
       enclose a time-table.

       All such invitations should be promptly
       acknowledged or declined.

  Men.  Men wear summer business suits, white
       ducks, or yachting flannels, A tennis suit
       would be permissible.

The regulation frock coat and high hat should be worn only by men from the city attending an affair in the country, or at some extremely fashionable affair.

       Men should greet the hostess both on their
       arrival and departure.

       Visiting-cards are left only at large garden
       parties.

  Women.  Women wear light, delicate, afternoon
       dresses.

       They should greet the hostess, both on their
       arrival and departure.

       Visiting-cards are left only at large and
       formal outdoor affairs.

Germans.  See Cotillions.

GIFTS.

  After house party.  While not necessary, a
       guest after a house party may send some
       trifle to the hostess as a token of pleasure
       and appreciation.

  Best man.  After the groom selects the best
       man, the latter should send a gift to the
       bride, and may, if he wish, send it to the
       groom, a custom not yet clearly established.

  Christening.  A christening ceremony offers a
       good opportunity for the invited guests so
       wishing to send a gift to the baby.  These
       should be sent a day or two before the
       ceremony, and, if of silver, should be suitably
       marked with the child’s name, initials, or
       monogram.

  Engagement.  If both families of the engaged
       couple are old acquaintances, the parents of
       the man may send a gift along with their
       greetings and congratulations.

  Wedding.  See weddings—­gifts.

Gifts between men and women.  Books, flowers,
       and other small articles of decoration are
       proper gifts to accept.