TREE AND FLOWER PRESERVATIVES 



fresh. But it is well to know how they 

 may be longest preserved. Wrap as in 

 summer and then roast the ends of the stems 

 in a charcoal or coal fire in which twenty-nine 

 grains of Sansho have been put — it can also 

 be done in a gas or candle flame without 

 Sansho — until black and charred, holding 

 the stems in a wet cloth while burning; then 

 put in cold water for seven or eight hours. 



In the So period — December, January, 

 February, use very cold water to keep 

 flowers in before arranging. Ice water, 

 stream water, or that kept in a pail over 

 night should be used. The Japanese say 

 that well water is usually warm in winter, 

 and therefore should not be used unless kept 

 standing out of doors for a long time. 

 Flowers do not require burning during these 

 cold months; all that is necessary is to let 

 them stand in very cold water as long as 

 possible before arranging. 



A camelia may be kept from turning brown 

 by putting a few grains of salt in the center 

 of each flower. To keep a magnolia, split 



[211] 



