34 PHANTOM FLOWERS. 



OTisly in the same jar, the seed-vessels will become so 

 entangled in the fine network of the leaves, that ia the 

 attempt to remove them the latter will be seriously- 

 injured. Seed-vessels and flowers require the same 

 treatment in bleaching and washing, only remembering 

 that the coarser seed-vessels may need a stronger in- 

 fusion of the bleaching preparation. A little experi-. 

 ence will soon inform the operator as to the exact 

 quantity required for all kinds of leaves and seed- 

 vessels. 



The bleaching of the Ferns will need some special 

 directions. Many who have succeeded admirably with 

 leaves, have invariably failed in their attempts at pre- 

 paring these graceful sprays. As they constitute the 

 most brilliant embellishment which can be introduced 

 into a bouquet, such failures are especially mortifying. 

 But by closely following these simple directions, there 

 will be no difficulty in producing entire sprays of 

 white Fern ready to be arranged with other materials 

 for the bouquet. 



Having gathered Ferns of different varieties during 

 their season of maturity, — which is when the seeds 

 are to be found on the back of the leaves, — they 

 should be preserved by pressing them between the 

 leaves of a book, there to remain until required for 



