FLOWERS AS SOUVENIRS. 



HE successful hostess has always 

 some unique surprise for her 

 guests. If this surprise, aside 

 from being a "thing of beauty" be 

 also a lasting joy, so much the better. The broadest 

 field for ingenuity in this line is to be found in the 

 designing of original souvenirs. These will be cherished, 

 for they are mute reminders of the happy occasion. 

 They are preserved with other mementos having fond 

 associations. 



Nothing appeals to the emotions with more eloquence 

 than the speechless flowers. Their very silence arouses 

 within the human breast the most tender, the most 

 ennobling sentiments. They are treasured long after 

 their beauty has deserted them ; for their faded perfume 

 breathes of a medley of recollections dear to the heart. 

 They are appropriate at all times and for all persons, of 

 all ages, and of all stations in life. 



When gay flora is at its height, it is, of course, prefer- 

 rable to use fresh flowers. In the midst of this splendid 

 abundance think of the mantle of glistening white that 

 will, ere many months, destroy and conceal all, and pre- 

 pare for the flowerless inevitable ! There are many 

 kinds of flowers that may be perfectly pressed between 

 layers of cotton, under a heavy book or books. The 

 cotton absorbs all moisture and excludes the air, 

 whereby the brilliant hues are retained. Even the 

 delicate sweet-pea, treated in this manner, retains its 

 splendor. Neither does the dainty forget-me-not then 

 lose its dear, true blue. The daisy, lilac, bleeding, 

 heart, even the rose — when not full blown — look very 

 beautiful and natural when pressed in this way. Then 

 there are flowers that, if picked before being fully devel- 

 oped, may be preserved by simply drying slowly in a 

 dark, dry place. Such are the lily of the valley, golden- 

 rod, bittersweet, hops and grain. All should have long 

 stems, and are best plucked about mid-day, when they 

 have least moisture. After being placed between the 

 cotton, do not disturb them until certain that they are 

 dry, after which carefully put them in a box between 

 tissue paper. 



Now, as to the use of pressed flowers in making souv- 

 enirs. With a narrow ribbon, tie a dainty bunch of 

 flowers to the corners of a card, across the face of which 

 is written its signification, as in the illustration. On the 

 back of the card write some poetic description of the 

 flower. The writing should be neatly done in black 

 India ink, or if the maker be endowed with artistic skill, 

 with metallic paints. Plain, beveled-edge regret cards 

 answer nicely for this purpose. If a great number are 

 to be made, it is best to have the printer cut a full sheet 



of heavy Bristol board into the desired size. For some 

 flowers, of a branching nature, it is much more efiective 

 to have the card larger than the " regret " size. 



When fresh flowers are obtainable, it is a charming 

 fancy to slip them into an envelope. The stems being 

 wrapped in moist cotton and tin foil, their freshness is 

 easily retained if arranged during the afternoon. In 

 such a design, the signification of the flower is written 

 across the envelope ; a verse on a tiny sheet of paper 

 tucked into the corner, to which it may be tied with a 

 " lover's knot. " (See cut.) 



The following are verses descriptive of some of the 

 most common flowers, and of what they are symbolic : 



Red rose — "Love." 



Moss rose — "Confession of Love." 



White rosebud — "Girlhood." ' 



" Just like love is the Rose : 

 Heavenly fragrance round it throws, 

 Vet tears its dew}' leaves disclose. 

 And in the midst of briers it blows , 

 Just like love." 



Grass is found beneath summer skies and winter snows. 

 To see a graceful bunch of it tied with a green ribbon is 

 indeed refreshing. 



In grass we read — " Submission ; Utility." 



" Here I come creepin;; e\-erywhere ; 

 By the dusty roadside. 

 On the sunny hillside, 

 Close by the nois\' brook. 

 In every shady nook, 

 I come creeping, creeping everywhere." 



A Card Souvenir. 



" You cannot see me coming, 

 Nor hear my low, sweet humming; 

 For in the starry night. 

 And the glad morning light, 

 I come quietly creeping everywhere." 



In spite of all that may be said to the contrary, human 

 nature has a weakness for lucky four-leaved clovers. 



