WIRING AND MOUNTING FLOWERS. 



347 



but which can soon be mastered. Take roses for instance. The petals of these are very 

 liable to shatter, and the peduncles close up to the embryo seed pod are very brittle. 

 Wiring the flowers and supplying a wire-stem obviates both difficulties. Commence by 

 thrusting two short lengths of the smaller stub wire through the petals, as shown at a in 

 Fig. 197, bringing the ends down, as at a, b and c. If this is done properly the wires have 

 the effect of pressing the petals up somewhat tightly together, and keeping them in that 

 desirable position. Small green or bronzed rose leaves ought always to accompany roses 

 or rose-buds. If they are not attached naturally to the stems where they will show to 

 the best advantage, leaves should bo 

 added. These loose leaves ought to 

 be provided with a light wire stem, 

 bound to the stalks as shown under 

 a, and these in their turn be attached 

 to the rose-stem. If the roses are 

 wanted for wreaths and similar work, 

 a short, stout stem (b) should be 

 bound on at the same time as the 

 leaves are attached, while 7 -inch or 

 longer lengths of stem wire are re- 

 quired for blooms or buds intended 

 for bouquets, as shown at c. Camel- 

 lias are somewhat similarly treated, 

 even to the extent of supplying 

 leaves, while gardenias may be 

 strengthened by having a wire passed 

 through the tube only, providing 

 leaves, if need be, and stems, as in the case of roses. Chrysanthemums with weak 

 peduncles have to be strengthened by wires, and all have to be given wire-stems, so that 

 they can be fixed in any position desired. 



Carnations, if the calyces burst, ought to have a thin raffia or wire-tie immediately 

 under the petals, and all should be strengthened, as shown at d, this flower being 

 provided with a long stem for a bouquet. Flowers taken off with a short stem to avoid 

 sacrificing buds may be provided with wire stems, as shown in the diagrams e and /. 



Liliums are easy to wire, and the same may be said of daffodils and narcissi. In 



Y Y 2 



Fig. 198. Wibing Violets and Lilies. 



