MATTERS FEMININE.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 330, 14 July 1914, Page 3

MATTERS FEMININE.

CARE OF TEE HAIR.

To keep the hair and scalp in a good condition, the head must be washed tften enough to ensure cleanliness; about once a month is sufficient for most people, but if the hair is very oily a washing once in every two weeks will be necessary. Brush the 'hair and scalp thoroughly, though gently, .every night, and be sure to keep the hair-brush clean. Women or girls with long haitf should never use a wire hair-brush, although there is a kind with soft wire "bristles" that may be used with entire safety by men. When brushing the hair, part it, and brush the scalp until it tingles. An excellent method of promoting scalp and hair health is to massage the scalp thoroughly with the fingers for at least five minutes every night. A very little olive oil, applied to the roots of the hair twice a week with a child's tooth-brush, is recommended for very dry, harsh hair. Dryness, by the way, often causes premature greyness. If preferred, a little vaseline or carooline may be used instead of the olive oil; Pulling the hair to keep the skin of the head loose from the bone will also help to keep the hair long and thick.

THE "BROWNIE" FROCK.

One and a half to two yards of linen or casement cloth will suffice to make this simple yet smart little tunic frock for a small child of three years old. It is a style that may be worn either by baby boys or girls over a pair of knickers and a warm vest. Cut in one piece. It is very easy to make, and the pattern does for better materials also such as corded silks, velvets, or

fine cashmere. It looks particularly dainty in White washing silk, with the edges of collar, cuffs, and side opening piped with pale blue or pink, the buttons being of enamel in a tint to match the piping. For rough wear in the nursery or on the seashore a striped galatea could be used. A patent leather belt keeps the little garments secure just below the waist.

TO PREVENT SPOTTING.

We all know how very annoying it is to get a new gown spotted with rain and to realise that we must go about with that rain-spotted frock to the end of its days. When such a calamity happens to one of your gowns or tailored suits try this remedy, and you will be delighted (with the result. Wring out of cold water a clean linen or cotton cloth; spread the damaged garment carefully over an ironingboard, and place the damp cloth on the right side of the material and iron quickly and carefully ' over the wet cloth, taking care to wring it out of water when a fresh part of the frock has to be ironed. The whole of the frock should be gone over—or the skirt at least, oven should it not be all spotted—for this treatment will freshen it, and will not damage the most delicate colour or material if carefully Hone. Indeed, this ironing is an excellent way of reneuing navy blue or black serge costumes; a few drops of ammonia added to the water in which the cloth is wrung out is a great improvement, and helps to bring up the colour. The garment must first of all be well shaken and brushed before ironing it. Another and very effective way to revive navy blue serge is to sponge it thoroughly with indigo blue water, afterwards ironing it when it has dried a little.

THE BRIDAL WREATH. The wreath which graces the head of the bride on her wedding day has been sung of by more poets, even the great ones like Schiller, than any other chaplct of fame or honour. In the early clays the Jews saw in the wreath the sign of what, for them, was most beautiful and precious—the promised land; and of the myrtle the bridal crown was woven. Later this myrtle wreath became the symbol of womanly purity, and as such is worn by every girl bride in Germany. In many parts of Germany the sprigs from which the wreath shall be twined must be taken at a fixed hour of the nijrht between certain holy days. And,in both Denmark and Germany families possess myrtle trees which have, for quite a generation or more, furnished the bridal wreaths at family weddings. In Greece the myrtle and the rose were considered the favorite flowers of Venus, the twining of the two together signifying the union of love and virtue.

In England, France, Poland, and in America, the orange-blossom reiffns supreme in wedding chaplets. In Italy the white rose has taken the place of the evergreen and fragrant myrtle wreath. In Spain it is the red, red rose that adorns a bride, and Portugal's wedding flower is the carnation.