136 EVERT .WOMAN HER OWN ILOWER GARDENER. 



Cutting and Preserving Flowers. 



Flowers should never be cut during the intense heat of the day, but 

 either while wet with dew in the early morn, or after sunset, when the 

 falling dew has revived them. 



Do not bre^k them off harshly, but cut them with a knife or scissors; 

 the former is the best, as it cuts the cleanest, and does not lacerate the 

 minute tubes which draw up the water that nourishes the flower ; if 

 these pores or tubes are closed up the floVer soon withers. I find sand 

 far cleaner to place them in than pure water; that soon becomes dis- 

 agreeable, while the sand can be thoroughly wet every morn, and keep 

 for weeks with no unpleasant odor about it. If flowers are desired to 

 be kept a great while, the ends of the stalks should be cut off a little 

 every time you change the water, and a pinch of saltpetre and salt tends 

 to prevent their decay. Soap suds, which have been widely recommended, 

 spoil the flowers very quickly. Warm water will revive wilted flowers; 

 put the bouquet into water warm to the hand, let it remain for an hour 

 or more, then cut off the stalks a little and put into fresh warm water, 

 only lukewarm, and they will brighten wonderfully. 



A few drops of liquid ammonia added to the water are said to revive 

 faded flowers, but I have never tried the remedy. 



If sand cannot be obtained, put a few bits of charcoal in the water, 

 or fill the vase with them and water, and put the stalks between them; 

 add fresh water every day, turning out the old, and your flowers will 

 keep a week or more. Never turn ice water into the vases, it chills the 

 life out of the flowers-^is murder in the first degree.. To be sure, the 

 ice pitcher is always at hand, but keep its contents away from your 

 \ases. Rain water is always the best for watering plants, or for keeping 

 fresh flowers, and it should be given a little warm, even if the tea- 

 kettle has to be resorted to to render it so. 



While gathering flowers, don't pick such quantities that some will 

 wither before they can be placed in water. If you have too many to 

 care for directly, put them on a tray and sprinkle them with water, then - 

 they will not wither and become limp. Geranium leaves once withered 

 never regain their fresh beauty, and Pansies once curled up will never 

 unroll in perfect loveliness. Don't be chary of picking your flowers — 

 the more you gather the more you will have. Give them to all your 

 friends — a bounteofns giver is always rewarded. In selecting vases, don't 

 buy the gorgeous flowered china ware, or the brilliant Bohemian glass, 



