PHANTOM FLOWERS. 



33 



ished in a short time. A jar of leaves will usually 

 require from six to twelve hours for bleaching ; but 

 as the jar is of glass, an outside inspection will en- 

 able the operator to judge of the degree of whiteness, 

 without raising the lid until it may be time to remove 

 them. 



When they are discovered to be entirely white, they 

 must be taken carefully out with the hand, and laid 

 in a basin of clean, warm water. If sutFered to re- 

 main too long in the jar, they will become too tender 

 for removal. They may then be thoroughly washed 

 from the chlorine, by changing them several times in 

 fresh water, after which they will be ready for their 

 final drying. This is accomplished as before, by lay- 

 ing them between the folds of a soft towel ; while the 

 more delicate ones, which are apt to curl in drying, 

 should now be laid between the leaves of a book, 

 until entirely dry. The washing is a very important 

 part of the operation, as, if not thoroughly done, the 

 bouquet Avill soon become yellow, and otherwise dis- 

 colored, and thus, in the end, lose its attractiveness 

 and beauty as a parlor ornament. 



As before stated, it will be advisable to keep the 

 seed-vessels separate from the leaves, and to put 

 them in different bleaching jars. If placed promiscu- 



