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FO ne ae a Oe 
PREPARING SKELETON LEAVES. 
Gather the leaves from the middle of summer to September, 
put them in one gallon of soft water, let them soak for almost 
a month, and then take out a leaf and try it; if it is ready, 
the green coat will rub off directly and leave the fibre; some 
will take two months before they are ready; but you can 
always tell by rubbing the leaf rather gently. After ob- 
taining the skeleton of the leaves, place them in one quart 
of water, with two table-spoonfuls of chloride of lime, well 
mixed; let them remain about twelve hours, and they will 
be perfectly white. Keep them in a close box until you want 
to use them. The best and most ornamental way to mount 
them, is to get either round or oval shades and gilt or black 
stands ; cover the stand with velvet, black or coloured, accord- 
ing to taste, and then arrange the leaves so as to form a pretty 
group; when the shade is placed over it, with chenille, it will 
be a very handsome ornament. 


