32 THE CARNATION. 



MODE OF DRESSING A FLOWER. 



I HARDLY dare attempt to draw an outline even of 

 this sublime art of dressing a flower, because I have 

 neither studied nor practised it myself; and there- 

 fore not being entitled to a diploma, I must neither 

 assume the title nor degree of A.M., that is, Artis 

 Magister, by which alone I might be held qualified 

 to teach it, but must be content to be considered 

 only as a pretender and quack upon this abstruse 

 point. However, let us see what sort, of a handle 

 I shall make of it. In the first place, then, provide 

 yourselves with proper instruments, namely, a pair 

 of brass or ivory etui, commonly called tweezers, 

 and a small ivory bodkin. 



As soon as the guard-leaves drop, clap a card on, 

 and with your bodkin, from time to time, assist the 

 petals in falling into their places ; then fix a glass 

 cap over the blossom, to bleach the white, and to 

 enable the leaves, by the warmth, to expand freely ; 

 shade the glass, when the sun is out, with a cabbage 

 leaf or bit of canvas ; take the glass off for an 4iour 



