134 HOME AND GARDEN 



they also use it mercilessly in packing Orchids and 

 Gardenias, Stephanotis and Camellias. It is much 

 better in the case of these flowers to have some of the 

 tin trays perforated with ranges of holes, and with 

 twine and a packing-needle to sew down the flowers 

 firmly to the bottom of the tray so that they cannot 

 move. 



When garden flowers are scarce it is often de- 

 sirable io bring home a bunch of wild flowers, but 

 many seem unwilling to live in water. I have found 

 that if the whole plant is pulled up by the root and 

 a part of the root-stalk retained, it will live perfectly. 

 The brilliant field Poppies do well like this, and 

 some of the delicate umbelliferous plants that are 

 so charming in bouquets of field flowers. Primroses 

 are no trouble; indeed I think the delicious wild 

 Primrose must have some special quality of kindly 

 sympathy with humanity, and particularly with chil- 

 dren, and that it really likes to be gathered and 

 brought into our houses; for not only does it live 

 well after being picked and carried home, but even 

 bunches, long held tight in hot little hands, will 

 flourish when released and put in water. But Wood 

 Anemones protest against being picked, and come 

 home limp and closed and looking very unhappy; 

 all the same they will recover if they have a complete 

 bath for an hour or two, and all the quicker if they 

 are pulled up with a bit of root. The most difficult 

 to keep alive are some of the water plants, Horse-tail 



