[Cowgirl]

1925 Missouri Farm Womens Cookbook .. Table Serving

THE TABLE should be placed in the center of the room, the table cloth laid straight and smooth over a heavy silence cloth. The center piece, if used, must be exactly in the center of the table and the flowers or fruits must be in its center. The carving or tea cloth must be exactly in the center of one end of the table. The napkin is simply folded and laid at left of fork with hemmed edges next to fork and edge of tables. Knives are placed at the right side with the sharp edge toward the plate. Spoons are placed, with the bowls turned up, at the right of the knives in the order they are to be used. Have forks at left with the tines turned up in the order to be used. All silver, plates and napkins are placed about one inch from edge of table. The bread and butter plate, if used, should be placed at upper left-hand side. The salad also has this position. The tumbler is placed at upper right-hand side just above the knife. Place salts and peppers, one set for every two guests, unless very formal.

Water may be placed on table; if tea is served, the tea pot is directly in front of the hostess. The coffee pot and hot milk and cream should be at the right; the sugar bowl, cups and saucers forming a semi-circle at left. All the handles of the cups should be turned toward the hostess.

The edge of the chair should touch the cloth of table and chairs opposite each other. Guests should enter chairs from the left.

For serving, the family style is the most simple and no maid is needed. It is a good plan to train children to serve. If the meal is served in courses the first course is placed on the table when the guests enter. Dishes which admit of choice should be passed to the left, and those that do not admit of choice such as dinner plate, salad plate and coffee at the right. Pass bread and butter together and offer the butter first, then the bread. Plates should be removed from the left and plates put on to right, choice to left. Everything relating to the first course should be removed at the end of that course before the next course is brought on.