EVERY WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 85 



Rhodanthe alba is of silvery whiteness, and the finest white Immor- 

 telle grown. 



Rhodanthe atrosanguinea has dark crimson flowers, with a violet disc 

 or center. 



Rhodanthe Maculata has larger blossoms of a bright rose color, tinged 

 ffith violet purple, with a yellow center. It is a fine plant for window 

 gardening. 



Rhodanthe Manglesii is the oldest variety. Its blossoms are rose col- 

 ored, suflfiised with white. All these flowers are the most desirable of 

 their kind. The silvery scales on the outside of the flower contrast 

 charmingly Vith the brighter colors of the petals. 



Waitzia aurea and grandiflora have flowers of a brilliant gold color, 

 and produce a fine efiect, when mingled with others. They bloom in 

 clusters, and if left too lon^ on the plant, become dingy and discolored. 



Xeranthemums are very easily cultivated. The seeds vegetate as 

 quickly as those of the Aster or Balsam. They are of various colors, 

 and grow about one foot high, blooming very freely. 



All of these plants require some space to grow in, and the plants must 

 be transplanted at least a foot apart to bloom advantageously. , 



These Everlasting Flowers can be dyed into various colors. Last 

 autumn some bright yeUow Helichrysums fell into a solution of borax, 

 and turned their petals to the most glorious sunset hue, with a fine 

 metallic lustre. It oxydized the cojor, and my vases are still resplend- 

 ent with the fiowers. I tried its efiect upon crimson and pink flowers, 

 but it failed to beautify them, but faded out all their original brightness. 

 The yellow flowers are of a wonderful golden-scarlet hue, rarely seen in 

 any flower that grows. Dip the flowers into a cup of water into which 

 as much borax as will dissolve has been added, and see for yourself the 

 perfect shade of color. Family dyes can be used to dye purple, scarlet and 

 green, and mosses can be thus prepared to arrange among the bright-hued 

 flowers, making prettier objects for home adornment than can be pur- 

 chased at the shops. Purple dye can be made at home from one ounce 

 of ground logwood, one tablespoonful of powdered alum, and one pint of 

 soft water; boil for twenty minutes; when cool, put in the flowers. 



Yellow dye can be made with one ounce of quercitron bark; same 

 proportions of alum and water as above; boil twenty minutes. Mix 

 indigo with the yellow dye, and a beautiful green is formed, which will 

 dye mosses or grasses perfectly. 



