THE art of preserving flowers in their natural state has long been known, but the process seems to have been forgotten until the increasing demand for bouquets brought it to the minds of the people of Germany. There are two ways of preserving flowers. The one used almost exclusively in Germany, and, we think, the easier method, is as follows: -

The Sand Process

Procure a very fine quality of sand, wash it until all the particles of clay are dissolved, and dry it well by placing it on a board set slanting to allow the water to run off. Bake it thoroughly; and while it is warm, take an ounce of mutton tallow to twelve pounds of sand; scrape the tallow and scatter it over the sand, stirring it in as it melts. Do not neglect this; for the tallow prevents the sand from sticking to the flowers. Take a cigar-box or some other suitable box, and cut several holes through the bottom, over which paste paper to keep the sand from escaping. Sift sand into the bottom of the box until it is about half an inch deep, using a fine sieve. Upon this carefully place a layer of flowers, and sift in sand enough to cover them. Jar the box a little with the hand to settle the sand into and around the flowers. Put in more flowers, and cover them with sand as before, continuing the operation until the box is full. Place the cover in tight, and put the box in a place where it will be kept at a steady temperature of about 80°. In about four days, if kept at the proper temperature, the flowers will be dry, and can be removed by puncturing the paper placed over the holes cut through the bottom of the box, and allowing the sand to run out.

At first the flowers will be too brittle to be handled, and the box should be left in a damp place for a few hours, when the flowers will be ready for use.

The Sulphur Process

The other process alluded to is the preservation of flowers by the agency of sulphur fumes. Procure a box that can be made air-tight (one in which tea has been packed will do); then inside the box on opposite sides, near the top, fasten small strips of wood, and place rods across upon which to hang the bunches of flowers. For ventilation, bore a hole in one side near the bottom, into which fit a plug closely; arrange the flowers in loose clusters of from three to ten, according to size, placing a variety of flowers in each cluster. Hang the bunches on the rods so that they will not touch one another, and in the bottom of the box place a metal pan containing a small shovelful of live coals. Spread out the coals, and sprinkle over them about three ounces of pulverized sulphur; then place the lid on securely, and the process is commenced. Open the hole in the side for a few minutes, until you see the fumes rising, but no flame; then close the opening, throw a piece of heavy carpet over the box, and leave it for a day. Upon examination, the flowers will be found perfect in form, but bleached almost white.

Expose them to the air in a dry place, and they will soon regain their color, but will be of a lighter shade than before bleaching.

The box must be kept absolutely air-tight after the fumes begin to rise, and it is better to paste cloth over the edges and corners to make it certain that no air can pass through. Keep the box in a dry room.

Preserving Bridal And Funeral Flowers

Every bride desires to keep the flowers she wore on her wedding day, and all desire to keep the wreath that lay on the breast of some dear departed one. The art of preserving these mementos has been kept secret, only a few professional florists knowing the process. It is simple enough, and we give it.

The Paraffine Process

Let the flowers be fresh and firm, and the color light. Green leaves cannot be treated; hence must be left off. Take the finest quality of paraffine, and melt it by placing it in a cup set in boiling water. Keep the paraffine in a liquid state by means of the warm water, and dip the flowers into it, being careful that the paraffine is not hot enough to cook them. Do the work as quickly as possible, so as to make a very thin coating on the flowers. To preserve green leaves, coat them with green wax, or add green powder paint to the paraffine.

In preserving flowers, it should be observed that those with a thick, full corolla, such as tulips, lilies, etc., are not well adapted to this purpose. When the preserving process is completed, the flowers should be tastefully arranged, and placed where they will be free from dust. Glass globes or bell glasses are excellent, and if a few bleached ferns form the background, the effect will be pretty.

In arranging flowers of any kind, be careful not to place together those of tints which do not blend; as scarlets with pinks, blues with purples, etc. An intelligent understanding of the harmony of colors will enable any one to arrange a very few and very common flowers so as to produce excellent effects.

Crystalizing Grass

Take one pound of alum and dissolve it in one quart of rain-water. Tie up bunches of feathery grasses, wild rye, oats, bearded wheat, etc., loosely, and suspend them over a tub. Heat the alum-water, and pour it over them very slowly until every cluster is thoroughly saturated. Leave the bunches to dry over night, when every point will sparkle with crystals. Should the process fail, add more alum, and the next application will succeed. These grasses make very ornamental winter boquets.

A bunch of sumach, shining bright,

And a stag-horn, deck the wall, With a string of birds'-eggs, blue and white,

Beneath

- Alice Cart, in The Settler's Christmas Eve.'