THE MODELLING OF VARIOUS GRASSES 369 



the larger ones slightly open, just revealing a glimpse of the 

 foundation, which may be faintly tinted to represent the inner 

 segments. 



Having made sufficient flowers and buds for one raceme, 

 cut a bract for each one out of pale art fabric, impart the 

 natural curves by means of a blanket-pin, and proceed to make 

 up the raceme. 



Commence with a small bud, and, at the base of the 

 pedicel, attach a bract of suitable size by pressing it upon the 

 wax. Now select a sheet of light green wax, as nearly as 

 possible of the tint of the natural stem, but rather lighter than 

 darker, and cut a strip lengthwise from the sheet. Double the 

 strip and roll it around the wire — adding another wire if 

 necessary — until the stem is of the proper thickness, and then 

 tear or cut off any surplus. Roll the stem between the thumb 

 and finger until smooth, and then add another bud and bracts, 

 and so continue until the raceme is complete, taking care to 

 arrange the buds, flowers, and bracts in natural positions, and 

 gradually increase the thickness of the stem (see p. 3 1 6). Steel 

 " tails " will be found useful for the lower part of the stem, and 

 can be added as occasion requires. 



The leaves may either be cast (see p. 312) or made with 

 four or five thicknesses of fabric, each succeeding one a little 

 smaller than its predecessor, superimposed one upon another, and 

 the edges well rubbed down upon a smooth damp board with 

 the knob of a bone tool similar to Fig. J, Plate II., but with 

 a point at one end instead of a knob, the point being used to 

 make the centre channel along the leaf No wire is required, 

 but a small piece of loosely-rolled fabric may be inserted at 

 the base. 



Grasses 



These are of various degrees of difficulty to imitate, the 

 easiest being the sheep's fescue grass, which is made of thin 



24 



