The Everlasting, or Eternal Flowers, as they are sometimes called, have of late 
attracted a good deal of attention in all parts of the v\^orld, and are becoming generally culti- 
vated. The plants do not appear very important when the garden is gay with scores of Flora's 
choicest gems, and are, therefore, often considered hardly worth saving, and the flowers remain 
ungathered. In the winter, however, when it is desirable to decorate church or school room or 
home, the Everlastings are a treasure. These flowers lessen the regret we all feel when the 
season of blossoms is over, because they enable us to transfer a little of summer beauty to the 
parlor. They retain both form and color for years, and make excellent bouquets, wreaths, 
and every other desirable winter ornament. The flowers should generally be picked as soon 
as they expand, or a little before, and hung up in small bunches, and so that the stems will dry 
straight. If the bunches are too large they will mildew. The Gomphrenas must not be 
gathered until fully developed. Those who are familiar with the usual style of winter deco- 
ration, and realize how gloomy a room is made by the heavy, dark wreaths of cedars and hem- 
locks, unrelieved by a flower or beriy, or any bright color, will thank us for urging them to 
save every flower that will keep its color during the winter. Make all wreaths light and airy, 
and enliven them with bright flowers. 
AGROCLINIUM, Nat. Ord. Compositce. 
The Acroclinium is one of the most beautiful of the everlasting family, 
growth, about eighteen inches in height, and 
bears a great number of pink and white 
daisy-like flowers, with a yellow centre. 
They should be gathered the first day they 
open, or even before fully open, and dried. 
If allowed to remain too long on the plant, 
the center becomes black in diying, but if 
gathered young they retain their natural 
color. The engraving shows the size of the 
plant, and the appearance of the flower when 
It is of strong 
fully expanded. 
Ammobium 
There are two varieties, a bright pink and a clear M'hite, and both indispensable. 
AMMOBIUM, Nat. Ord- Composita:. 
is a small but very pretty little flower, pure white, and therefore very 
useful in making up. The plant, 
which grows about eighteen 
inches, is stiff and angular in ap- 
pearance. This is one of the 
hardiest of the everlastings. Some 
florists use this flower very liber- 
ally, even in the summer, in the 
making of small bouquets. Like 
the Acroclinium and very many 
The bud, as shown in the engraving, is very pretty. 
95 
of our everlastings, it is a native of Australia. 
