JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT 



Sansho (see formula at end of the chap- 

 ter). When this boils hard, plunge into it 

 the uncovered ends of the flower stems and 

 hold them in the boiling mixture until the 

 ends whiten, being careful not to steam 

 the wrapped portions. Then plunge in very 

 cold water, removing the wrappings in a 

 place not too warm and sheltered from the 

 wind. Straighten the stalks and keep thus 

 for about seven hours before arranging. 



When the weather is exceptionally hot, 

 this is the best way for preserving flowers, 

 but when the weather is normal at this 

 season, just to boil the ends of the stems 

 until white, and then plunge them in very 

 cold water, will have the same effect. Drugs 

 are required only in extreme heat. Flowers 

 and foliage must always be carefully pro- 

 tected from the steam while being boiled, 

 then the cold water into which they are then 

 put should be in a deep receptacle. 



The season of Giyo covers the months when 

 it is neither very hot nor very cold, and it is 

 therefore comparatively easy to keep flowers 



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