132 HOME AND GARDEN 



parted from its parent plant, may be more impatient 

 than some others of the artificial heating and 

 atmospheric conditions of a London drawing-room. 



Flowers of trees and shrubs and everything hard- 

 wooded, such as Lilacs, Guelder-Roses, Spiraeas, and 

 Cluster-Roses, should always have the cut end so 

 treated as to enable it to take up the water more 

 readily. This is best done by slitting up the stem 

 for some distance, or by the easier though rather 

 less effective means of slicing one side, or tearing up 

 a ribbon of the bark for an inch or two, but not 

 removing it. I have done the same thing by crushing 

 and opening the fibres of a woody stalk by hammer- 

 ing the last two inches on an anvil. I do not venture 

 to suggest this method of treatment for general adop- 

 tion, because I know that a smith's anvil is not a 

 usual item in the equipment of a London house, but 

 mention it because it is a further illustration of the 

 principle. 



When it comes to the actual packing, it should 

 be remembered that it must be done as tightly as 

 possible — the firmer the better, only just short of 

 actual crushing. If flowers are at all loose, the 

 joggling and vibration rub and abrade and distress 

 and fatigue the flowers far more than would a well- 

 packed journey of twice the length. " Pack tight and 

 keep out the air " is the safest rule. Tin boxes are the 

 best of all, and such boxes fitted with trays are much 

 used in private places for sending flowers to London, 



general 



