NOTES FOR WOMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20866, 5 November 1929, Page 19

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

By Phillida. TO TAKE CARE OF PALMS Twice a week in summer and once a week in winter place palms in a tub with water enough to cover about an inch over the top of the pots. In about five' or ten minutes you will see bubbles rapidly coming up from the centre, which indicates that the water has reached the roots; then lift the pot out of the tub and allow it to drain well. Once a month give them weak liquid manure. If the leavep have a brown tinge caused by the dry air in the house, sponge every few weeks with fresh water. When planting ferns {other than maidenhair) in a hanging basket, line the basket with artificial moss, then place earth and ferns in the crown of an old felt hat, making holes for drainage. The hat holds the moisture and prevents the strong roots from breaking through the moss. CHARACTER READING BY THE HAND. In shaking hands with a person, it is not difficult to tell whether the hand is soft or hard, moist or dry, hot or cold; and much can be deducted from this. ’ Soft hands belong to those who are indolent and who have no love for any kind of manual work; they are slow, inclined to take things easy, Undecided, and changeable, with some love for luxury and good living. Very soft and flabby hands indicate certain psychic powers, and a good deal of imagination. Hard-handed people are energetic and enterprising, good workers, with ability to accomplish their purpose. They are not easily discouraged, but are blessed by ambition and determination. If the hand feels elastic under slight pressure of the finger and thumb, physical and_mental energy is denoted; such a person is a good worker who will keep on until the job is done. The moist hand belongs to the plastic, sensitive and impressionable person who is heavy and somewhat slow in movement; he is sociable, desirous of mixing with others, but readily swayed by moods and impressions. People who have dry cool hands are usually practical, solid and hard working; they are the plodders who win through, by steady perseverance, and they are capable of much mental and physical endurance. The dry hot hand goes with the alert, positive, quick-witted person, who will require a reason for anything. He is apt in learning, fond of knowledge, reflective and intuitive; and he will prefer to strike out for himself rather than follow others. Those with cold firm hands are usually ambitious, practical and capable; they are good all-round helpers who are able to organise and carry on large concerns. , If the hand is limp and clammy, it indicates one who will be negative, pliable and moody. NEW VELVET MATERIALS. Many new silks and velvets are now appearing, and there are more patterned velvets and pannes than last season. There are also new broche velvets of unusual designs on ninon and georgette. Sage-green, a good colour for velvet, is often to be seen. In ring velvet there is a new spider’s web of a yellow tone of beige on black, sage-green, blue, and brown grounds. There are other ring velvets in small desjgns based on the multi-colour confetti designs of last year, but freer in arrangement and massed with short stems like very small flowers. Panne is greatly in favour for autumn clothes, and there are hand-printed pannes in chintz patterns and woven patterns in a light large spot on a toning ground. One of the prettiest patterned pannes is in an ivy-leaf design in three colours on a dark ground. Ring velvet, which has, proved in the past so troublesome in crushing and marking, should, as a leaflet explains, be steamed from the back without being touched and then allowed to dry; this brings up the pile. Patterned velvets do not “how marks to the same extent, nor do silk velvets, but ring velvet, when made from artificial silk, crushes easily. But it is light and drapes well, ana creases and marks can easily be taken out by the wearer. Among the broche _ velvets are many large and small designs suited to tea gowns and afternoon frocks. There are sprigged flower designs in small patterns in pastel multi-colour on ninon. and there are others in large squares on ninon and metal alternately. Some of the large flower designs are arranged at intervals like motifs on georgette or ninon, and, small or large, the designs are not set so close this year. This may be because more material is needed for dresses and because the draping and arrangement of upa and downs ” are easier if patterns are not too close. About a yard and ahalf more is used in most dresses for autumn; this should not make them more costly, for competition has brought prices down. For those who do not like patterned materials there are plain velvets an d pannes, and there are rich creamytoned pannes for gowns tor autumn brides. Handbags are now made of coral hide, trimmed with dark brown hide, of nutbrown pigskin trimmed with beige, and of claret and burgundy-coloured leather. Among them is a large pouch like a tobacco pouch, which fastens with a button. Tweed bags match coats and country suits, and there are evening bags of j cr ? pe , e , c hine with marquisite clasp, and bead bags made of artificial seed pearls and others of gold and silver metal brocades. Whalebone of a' deep grey and of a grain like wood is mounted with ivory for jewel cases, cigarette boxes, and other things for which shagreen or enamel is usual.