320 



The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Then there are several colors of acroclinums, very graceful in outline. The 

 amobiums, aelichrysum or eternal 

 flowers, the rhodanthes, xeranthemums 

 or straw flowers, all we^j common 

 garden plants a few years ago. 



Drying these flowers consists simply 

 in cutting at the proper time, which is 

 when in full bloom, and before seeds 

 have formed. Where practicable the 

 whole plant may be cut or pulled and 

 hung bottom up in a partially darkened 

 room or shed. Usually, however, the 

 flowers come out at different times and 

 must be cut as ready, leaving on as 

 much stem as possible. Tie in bunches 

 and hang up. The immortelles im- 

 ported in such quantities from France 

 and Germany, originally yellow but 

 now to be had in various colors, are 

 charming herbaceous plants. Unfor- 

 tunately they are not hardy with us. 

 There are, however, several natives of 



the same genus, gnaphalium, in English cudweed or common everlasting, 

 which may be preserved in a similar manner. There are also the purple cud- 

 weeds and the pearly everlastings, often found in dry, gravelly or sandy soils, 

 which may be had for the gathering. All the work necessary is to hang up 

 in the spare room until the whole collection is harvested or the material is 

 wanted for making the winter bouquet. 



As flowers in themselves will have a somewhat stiff" appearance alone, dried 

 grasses of various kinds will be found very useful. Hang bottom up to dry, as 

 directed for flowers, for the reason that all plants when first cut wilt and are 

 unable to hold their parts erect. They soon become rigid and when fully dried 

 have had a quite natural appearance. 



If flowers are allowed to even partially ripen seed, they will fall to pieces 

 when taken into a warm room. Among the best grasses are foxtail, cat-tails, 

 bents, feather grass and numerous march grasses and sedges. The many brizas 

 or quaking grasses are all well known. Even wheat, rye and oats, if collected 

 early enough, are quite desirable, as are also a number of summer grasses — Farm 

 and Home. 



B'lG. 998- 



Flowers Preserved for Winter 



Use. 



