SENDIXG FLOWERS THROUGH THE MAILS. 



529 



census, it seems to me that taking- the year 

 through, the majority of landscape flowers 

 are yellow. At least, such species as wear 

 this color g-row in g^reater abundance than 

 those of other tints. And if the strange yet 

 plausible theory of Grant Allan be true, that 

 all flowers were originally yellow, but that 



in the processes of evolution they have ex- 

 perimented with other colors only to work 

 back again to the original hue, it is easy to 

 account for the plentifulness of this color. 



Note. — This is a selection from Mabel Osgood 

 Wright's recent work, Flowers and Ferfis itt their 

 hauttts ; from the chapter entitled " Some Humble 

 Orchids." 



SENDING FLOWERS THROUGH THE MAILS. 



f"**! ENDING flowers through the mails is 

 Ns, a pretty sentiment and often a source 

 '^^^ of delight to the recipient, especially 

 when the flowers are of a new variety and 

 sent from a long distance by a traveler in 

 token of the places seen and visited. The 

 object of this sketch is to give a few hints 

 as to the best way to pack them to insure 

 the certainty of keeping fresh and fragrant. 



Let us suppose that pansies and lilies of 

 the valley are to be arranged for transporta- 

 tion through the mails. A small pasteboard 

 box must be procurea and lined with cotton 

 wadding- moistened with water ; over this 

 make a bed of the leaves from the lilies, and 

 upon these leaves place the flowers. Much 

 taste may be displayed in the arrang-ement, 

 and upon opening the box the effect will be 

 quite the same as that of a bouquet. Cover 

 the stems of the flowers with damp moss in 

 such a way that they will be firmly imbedded, 

 and thus kept fresh for a long time. Before 

 putting the lid upon the box sprinkle the 

 flowers and place a covering of leaves over 

 them. 



A friend who received a box of camelias 

 from Georgia, reported their arrival in per- 

 fect condition, Their stems were laid in 

 freshly cut potato. Some florists wrap 

 oiled paper or tinfoil about flowers when 

 all has been done to prevent the escape of 

 moisture. I have received roses packed in 

 their own leaves in a perfect condition after 

 several days. 



At Christmas time flowers are a very 

 sweet remembrance for the friends to whom 

 we dare not send anything of more pecuniary 

 value, and a would-be lover may express 

 volumes in the selection of a box of these 

 dainty things for the lady to whom he has 

 not yet made an avowal of his afi'ection. 



In winter, flowers are more easily kept 

 moist than in summer, which is the main 

 point to be achieved in sending a long- dis- 

 tance. 



An excellent authority gives the advice to 

 plunge the stems of wilted and drooping- 

 flowers into hot water to about one-third 

 their length, taking care that their blossoms 

 are untouched. This process drives the 

 "sap" back into the flovi^ers, and causes 

 them to revive in a short time, unless already 

 hopelessly faded. Cut away the withered 

 portion of the stem before putting into cold 

 salted water or wet sand, which is better for 

 vases and dishes in which flowers are to be 

 kept, because it will preserve them longer. 



Do not g-ather flowers while the sun is 

 shining upon them, but choose instead the 

 early morning or the hour after the sun has 

 gone down. Avoid pulling or tearing from 

 the plant ; cut with sharp scissors or a 

 knife, and in the case of varieties having-, a 

 large stalk or stem, rub a little dirt over 

 the wound. Always leave as long a stem 

 as possible, not to interfere with other buds 

 or blossoms. — Jenness Miller in Household 

 Companion. 



