PHANTOM FLOWERS. 37 



cling to the paper, and assume its natural shape. Should 

 any of the small side leaves become crooked or over- 

 lapped, they may be readily straightened by using the 

 point of a pin to spread them out in proper shape upon 

 the paper. To get rid of the superfluous moisture con- 

 tained in the latter, lay the sheet first on a soft towel 

 for a few minutes. The towel will absorb most of the 

 excess of water. After that it must be laid between 

 two other sheets of the same unsized white paper, and 

 pressed in a book. 



When all the sprays have been thus removed, and 

 committed to the keeping of the book, a heavy weight 

 should be placed on it, in order to insure their drying 

 smoothly. If desirable, the drying may be accelerated 

 by changing them, after a day or two, into another 

 book, or into new portions of the first. When entirely 

 dry, if some of the thinner varieties are found to ad- 

 here to the paper, they may be loosened by pressing 

 the thumb nail on the under side of the paper. It is 

 better, however, even after they are thoroughly pressed 

 and dry, to keep them shut up in a book until wanted 

 for the bouquet, as they have a tendency to curl when 

 exposed to the air. 



The writer has given directions for the bleaching of 

 Ferns only by the new preparation of TUton & Co., 

 4 



