400 



[Nov. 1906. 



HORTICULTURE. 



HOW TO KEEP CUT FLOWERS. 



It is often hard to get cut flowers, but when obtained it is still more difficult 

 to keep them in a satisfactory condition. To arrange them tastefully and effectively 

 requires time and thought. The immediate removal of one fading flower will 

 often preserve the others. 



Every morning flowers are taken from the vases, and beginning with the 

 stems, refreshed by a bath of pure water— two or three minutes being long enough 

 for the immersion— then taken out and sprinkled lightly with the hand. The water 

 should be changed every day, and the water used for sprinkling must be fresh 

 and pure. 



Sunshine resting on cut flowers is very injurious, and the room in which 

 they are kept should be cold rather than warm. Gas saps the very life of delicate 

 blossoms, and a bell glass placed over them at night will be found an excellent 

 protector. 



But measures for the preservation of flowers should be taken before they 

 reach the house. There is a great difference in their lasting powers, but the most 

 fragile ones may be kept in excellent condition for forty-eight hours if gathered 

 before the sun can stare them out of countenance and placed at once in tepid water. 

 Those which show any signs of drooping should be dipped head foremost in cold 

 water and gently shaken. Flowers that have travelled a long distance are speedily 

 revived by this treatmeat. 



Nasturtiums, heliotrope, and, above all roses, should be gathered at night, 

 if possible. Their stems, and those of all flowers kept in water, should be cut daily. 



The wistaria is a beautiful but perishable blossom that seems to pine away 

 in disgust when transferred to the house ; but the Japanese have conquered this 

 propensity by the most heroic treatment. They burn the stems of the graceful 

 creeper and then immerse it in spirits. Other woody plants like the hydrangea, 

 branches of fruit blossoms, etc., can be treated in the same way. 



In sending flowers away, long, narrow boxes are more desirable than round 

 ones, and square ones are between the two in keeping powers. Tin is the best 

 material and wood the next best ; yet stout paste board often delivers its perishable 

 contents in good condition. Especially in the case of pasteboard is a stout, rough 

 brown paper lining, over top and all, a desirable addition after wetting it thoroughly 

 in cold water. 



The flowers must then be carefully arranged in layers, each layer reposing 

 on its own bed of fresh green ferns made very moist. Slender sticks should be 

 worked in under the fern beds to keep their place, and when ferns are not available 

 cotton wool arranged in much the same way will make a good substitute. Strong- 

 scented ones shut up in close quarters with those of more delicate perfume will 

 almost invariably destroy the dainty charm of the latter.— Garden and Field. 



