Masterpieces of Science 



more be known unless flowers are set up in a por- 

 trait gallery of their own for the leisurely study 

 of their lineaments and lineage ? 



A word then as to the best way to gather wild 

 flowers. A case for them in the form of a round 

 tube, closed at the ends, with a hinged cover, 

 can be made by a tinsmith at small cost. Its 

 dimensions should be about thirty inches in 

 length by five inches in diameter, with a strap 

 attached to carry it by. At still less expense a 

 frame can be made, or bought, formed of two 

 boards, one-eighth of an inch thick, twenty-four 

 inches long and eighteen inches broad, with two 

 thin battens fastened across them to prevent 

 warping. A quire of soft brown paper, news- 

 paper will do, and a strap to hold all together, 

 complete the outfit. 



Our gathered treasures at home, we may wish 

 to deck a table or a mantel with a few of them. 

 The lives of unpressed blossoms can be much 

 prolonged by exercising a little care. Punch 

 holes in a round of cardboard and put the stalks 

 through these holes before placing the flowers 

 in a vase. This prevents the stalks touching 

 each other, and so decaying before their time. 

 A little charcoal in the water tends to keep 

 it pure; the water should be changed daily. 



A flower will fade at last be it tended ever so 

 carefully. If we wish to preserve it dried we can 

 best do so as soon as we bring it home, by placing.' 

 it between sheets of absorbent paper (newspaper 

 will do) well weighted down, the paper to be 

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