334 Preserving Grasses, JF^erns and Plojfers. 



" By brook sides and shady places, we can find graceful grasses which will prove 

 additions to our winter bouquets, but they will lose their coloring if gathered late, 

 and require a dip into " Judsou's green dye." Dye them again and they will last 

 for years. 



Wild oats, feather grass, and all their various species, are very ornamental in 

 winter, and mingled with the everlasting flowers — Acroclinium, Xeranthemum, and 

 the white, y ellow, and crimson Helichrysum, they vie with their more perishable 

 sisters, whose glories are on the wane. 



We have just arranged two small vases for the coming winter. The brilliant pink 

 and white Acroclinium, add much to their beauty. 



The white Helichrysum can be dyed a brilliant purple or scarlet, with Judson's 

 dyes, and exquisite bouquets can easily be manufactured. These "everlasting 

 flowers " should be gathered as soon as the outer leaves open ; tie them up in 

 bundles as you pick them, and hang them up, flowers downward, to dry. Treated 

 in this way, the stems are straight and more easily used. They can be hung to dry 

 in one's chamber, not requiring a darkened place. Most of these flowers are allowed 

 to remain too long upon the bushes, and their beauty is spoiled ; as they become 

 dusty, under the frequent sweepings of carpets, we dip them in cold water; their 

 petals close entirely. We dip the grasses also to cleanse them, else they will acquire 

 a dingy hue. 



ChrystiiUizcd GrasMen. 



" Many persons like Chrystallized Grasses. They are easily made by dissolving one 

 pound of alum in one quart of boiling water, suspending the grasses just over the 

 steam — not to touch the water, and as it cools the chrystals gather. Grasses need 

 not be dried before they are chrystallized. A few of them mingled with the green 

 grasses and brilliant hued flowers, light up the wall. 



Jf'evns. 



" Ferns are much sought after for floral decoration. Their feathery plumes, pin- 

 nated leaves, and graceful forms are very beautiful. They difter from the grasses, 

 for those gathered late in the Autumn retain their color better than the first ferns 

 of June. The sap has hardened in their leaves. We have gathered them late in 

 November, when they were surrounded by snow, and they have kept green all the 

 winter. The running fern is a lovely decoration for walls and pictures ; its flowers 

 add much to its grace and beauty, but it fades quickly, and by Christmas but a 

 faint green remains. Dip them in Judson's dye (following the directions given on the 

 bottle for dyeing ribbons), and you will keep their lovely colors. After they have 

 been thoroughly pressed in heavy books, then dye them, spread on paper and dry in 

 the shade, and then press them again. Thus treated, they will last for years. 

 Maiden-hair, the most graceful of our ferns, soon loses its color, but dyed, it is an 

 addition to every collection of grasses or ferns. 



Parsley Fern is very beautiful ; its soft, feathery leaves are always sought after. 

 These, if gathered late in the Autumn, will retain their color much better. 



The Male Fern, with its stiff stems, if well prssed, looks beautiful. We mingle 

 it with the many colored leaves of Autumn, or we pin it to the wall paper, around 

 pictures, or over lace or muslin curtains, and its effects are charming. 



