136 HORTICULTURE LECT. ix 



their freshness, and a knowledge of the best methods 

 is desirable. Firstly, all flowers (excepting those 

 known as everlastings) which have to be sent long 

 journeys, or to markets, should be gathered in the 

 early morning, before the sun takes from them the 

 crispness acquired during the night. Also, it is im- 

 portant that they be, in nearly every case, gathered 

 before being fully expanded. Especially is this neces- 

 sary with roses. 



For market purposes these are gathered when not 

 more than half expanded, and immediately packed 

 closely together in shallow boxes, having close-fitting 

 lids, which makes them nearly air-tight. The mode 

 of packing adopted is as follows : A thin layer of 

 damp moss is spread in the box and over this a sheet 

 of tissue paper, also damped. A row of roses, fitting 

 closely against each other, is then laid across the end 

 of the box, and over the back of this row a strip of 

 folded tissue paper ; then another row of flowers and 

 another strip of dividing paper, and so on, a larger 

 strip being laid over the stems of the last row. A 

 sheet of blue tissue is placed over the whole and the 

 lid shut down. In this simple manner they will 

 keep uninjured for a week. The reason why they do 

 so is because they are not exposed to the air. 



Flowers in Glasses for room decoration should 

 have fresh water, and about half an inch cut from the 

 base of the stems every third or fourth day. No 

 leaves should be on the stems that are in the water. 

 Flowers which have shrivelled through unsuitable 

 packing or other causes, may in most cases be quickly 

 revived by placing their stems in hot water i.e., 

 water at 112 to 120 degrees, or as hot as the hand 

 can be borne in it for ten seconds. 





