MODELLING THE APPLE-BLOSSOM 329 



pin, and make the sharp channels and markings which occur 

 in each petal, and which are slightly indicated in the diagram, 

 by rolling on the palm of the hand with the head of a blanket- 

 pin. Next, tint the under surface of each petal, and the 

 colour will show through sufficiently to impart a delicate tinge 

 of pink to the upper surface ; be sure, however, to take a 

 natural flower as a guide, the colouring being very irregular 

 upon the petals, according to their exposure to, or protection 

 from, the sun's rays. 



To support and strengthen each petal, take a fine white 

 bristle, and cover it thinly but thoroughly with a small strip 

 of white wax ; hold a petal between the left thumb and fore- 

 fingers, place a covered bristle underneath the stem, allowing 

 the point to reach nearly to the centre of the petal, and then, 

 with the thin end of a modelling-pin, make a minute fold or 

 pleat down the stem and lower portion of the petal, enveloping 

 the bristle and assisting the natural contour of the petal itself. 

 This is an extremely valuable " wrinkle," and is applicable to 

 a great variety of flowers of like character. As the flowers 

 expand, it will be observed that the petals become less con- 

 cave, a distinct keel appearing up the centre of each, and 

 causing the petal to partially fold backwards. In attaching 

 the petals, let it be noted that there is a certain order of 

 arrangement to be adhered to, of which the diagram. Fig. 3, 

 taken from an actual flower, will give a fair idea. From this 

 it will be seen that petals i and 3 are entirely inside the whorl, 

 2 and 5 entirely outside, whilst No. 4 is half in and half out, 

 one edge overlapping No. 5 and the other overlapped by No. 

 3. In this connection, it must also be noted that petals 2 

 and 5, being outside, will be the most highly coloured. Re-roll 

 and re-curl the petals, and attach securely by the " stem " to 

 the ovary. 



Cut a calyx of five, points or sepals (see Fig. 4 and p. 315) 



