188 HOME DECORATION. 



wood, are all blended, and when interspersed with the 

 green Hemlocks make picturesque scenes of vivid color 

 never found in Southern and Western States. 



Leaves should be collected early, before the fall rains 

 blight them. The most perfect ones are found on the 

 ends of the limbs, though many good specimens fall to 

 the ground. For color and outline, the Rock and White 

 Maple furnishes the prettiest leaves. The Chestnut, 

 Birch, Willow, Sassafras, Swamp Maple, Hickory, Cherry, 

 and Glossy Cat-brier have yellow leaves of different shades, 

 some Oaks, Alder, Sumach, Maple, Pear, Apple, Black- 

 berry and Virginia Creeper, possess leaves of red hues. 



The Three-leaved Ivy, known by various names, takes 

 on most beautiful colors, but many who are tempted to 

 collect its leaves often find themselves badly poisoned. 

 Some may handle them with impunity, but others are 

 poisoned by a slight touch, particularly in hot weather. 

 The Poison Sumach, also called Poison Elder and Dog- 

 wood, is to be feared more than the Ivy. With some 

 persons its poison lasts a long while, and is liable to 

 break out whenever friction occurs. The Poison Sumach 

 or Poison Elder is a stout shrub or small tree. It has 

 whitish or bluish berries, a milky juice, and grows in 

 swampy places. 



The greater the variety of sizes, shapes, and colors in 

 collecting leaves, the more tasteful and artistic will the 

 designs be. In preparing leaves, press them in books the 

 same as ferns, having several thicknesses of paper between 

 each layer. Change them to dry books a few days after 

 they are pressed, and retain until dry. 



When making up ornaments, prepare the leaves as fol- 

 lows : Melt white wax in a shallow tin, and add a very 

 little gamboge. Heat the wax, and dip the leaves, rais- 

 ing them carefully from the bath. The wax should be 

 kept at the proper temperature, which can only be ascer- 

 tained by trial. If it is too cold, it will set in lumps ; if 



