THE EVERLASTING, or ETERNAL FLOWERS, as they are sometimes called, have of late 

 attracted a good deal of attention in all parts of the world, and are becoming generally culti- 

 vated. The plants do not appear very important when the garden is gay with scores of Flora's 

 choicest gems, and are, therefore, often considered hardly worth saving, and the flowers remain 

 ungathered. In the winter, however, when it is desirable to decorate church or school room or 

 home, the Everlastings are a treasure. These flowers lessen the regret we all feel when the 

 season of blossoms is over, because they enable us to transfer a little of summer beauty to the 

 parlor. They retain both form and color for years, and make excellent bouquets, wreaths, 

 and every other desirable winter ornament. The flowers should generally be picked as soon 

 as they expand, or a little before, and hung up in small bunches, and so that the stems will dry 

 straight. If the bunches are too large they will mildew. The Gomphrenas must not be 

 gathered until fully developed. Those who are familiar with the usual style of winter deco- 

 ration, and realize how gloomy a room is made by the heavy, dark wreaths of cedars and hem- 

 locks, unrelieved by a flower or berry, or any bright color, will thank us for urging them to 

 save even- flower that will keep its color during the winter. Make all wreaths light and airy, 

 and enliven them with bright flowers. 



ACROCLINIUM, Nat. Ord. Composite. 



The Acroclinium is one of the most beautiful of the everlasting family. It is of strong 

 growth, about eighteen inches in height, and 

 bars a great number of pink and white 

 daisy-like flowers, with a yellow centre. 

 They should be gathered the first day they 

 open, or even before fully open, and dried. 

 If allowed to remain too long on the plant, 

 the center becomes black in drying, but if 

 gathered young they retain their natural 

 color. The engraving shows the size of the 

 plant, and the appearance of the flower when 

 fully expanded. There are two varieties, a bright pink and a clear white, and both indispensable. 



AMMOBIUM, Nat. Ord- Composite. 



Ammobium is a small but very pretty little flower, pure white, and therefore very 



useful in making up. The plant, 

 which grows about eighteen 

 inches, is stiff and angular in ap- 

 pearance. This is one of the 

 hardiest of the everlastings. Some 

 florists use this flower very liber- 

 ally, even in the summer, in the 

 making of small bouquets. Like 

 the Acroclinium and very many 

 The bud, as shown in the engraving, is very pretty. 

 95 



of our everlastings, it is a native of Australia. 



