THE YOUNG SCIEKTIbX. 
271 
out any difficulty. Embroider in the 
centre some sort of Japanese design ; the 
pattern selected should be as quaint as 
can be found, and executed in blue cot- 
ton if the dots are wrought in scarlet. 
A unique shopping bag is made of com- 
mon bed ticking, the blue stripes covered 
partially with gold thread (a good sized 
ball is sold for 18 cents) ; the effect is 
artistic ; the blue tint just visible gives a 
charming subdued beauty to the gold 
work ; the white stripes are adorned with 
point russe; stitch in embroidery silks of 
bright shades spanning the stripe at 
short intervals. The effect is very rich, 
showing off splendidly the color com- 
binations ; finish the top of the bag with 
silk or satin and adorn the corners with 
silk tassels or ribbon bows. The cost of 
these materials will not exceed $1.50, and 
a bag is made that will look far more 
artistic than one formed of cotton ma- 
crame lace. The linen macrame lace is 
very handsome, and when brought in 
combination with handsome ribbons and 
good silks the results of such artistic 
work is exceedingly satisfactory. 
A wall pocket, formed of Japanese fans 
is quite an addition to a prettily furnished 
sleeping room. Arrange the fans one 
above the other, taking two for the base ; 
shorten the handles of the other three 
fans,, which should be tacked to a strip 
of stiff pai)er, covered with satin or bro- 
cade. Around the fans run a fluting of 
narrow lace, and adorn the handles with 
very narrow ribbons, Maypole style ; cross 
the handles of the first or lower fans, and 
here place a cluster of buds or a brilliant 
butterfly with spread wings, and tack the 
pocket to the wall. 
Oriental embroidery is very elTective on 
plain Swiss muslin curtains. Select quaint 
patterns and finish off the edge with a : 
ruffle of the same goods laid in fine knife 
plaits. Another pleasing style of curtain 
drapery is obtained in this manner: Take 
unbleached muslin, (.that at six cents per 
yard is the best), cut the same into strips 
about four inches wide; purchase com- 
mon lace insertion, and buy half an 
ounce of cochineal, put this into a quart 
of vinegar and water, and dye the inser- 
tion a rich pink. When combined with 
the cloth pieces a very attractive bed- 
room curtain is obtained at small cost 
and very little labor. Cheap unbleached 
muslin curtains are made to look very 
picturesque by drawing out the threads a 
space of two inches on the sides and at 
the lower edge ; hemstitch the same with 
French cotton and trace with embroidery 
cotton at regular intervals over tlie rest 
of the drapery clustered leaves, and give 
to the outer edge a finish of pleated lace, 
which may be had for five cents a yard. 
A collection of specimens of ]^lants, 
carefully dried and preserved in a book 
manufactured for this purpose, forms an 
exceedingly interesting industry, and also 
gives an excellent opportunity for acquir- 
ing a knowledge of plants that might not 
be obtained unless engaged in forming a 
hortus siccus. In order to make this 
style of book interesting beyond the mere 
sight of the plants, a brief sketch of the 
same should be written on the opposite 
leaf. Some flowers are difficult to press, 
and especially when about half dried, the 
leaves break off or the stems crumble to 
pieces, and thus the plant is made use- 
less; however, with care and particular 
attention this trouble can be obviated. 
When plants are gathered they should be 
at once arranged and laid between the 
leaves of an old book or in a newspaper ; 
if the latter, then an old book cover or 
stiff pasteboard is required, into which 
lay the paper containing the plants, and 
place the whole beneath a weight. Leave 
it there for several days, then look at the 
work, and turn over the plants ; should 
the paper be much stained remove it and 
lay the flowers in fresh paper. When 
sufflciently dry place in the blank book, 
classing them. A narrow bit of ribbon 
formed into a bow and glued to the stems 
clustered gives a bright finish to the 
page. When ferns are bleached they 
make an interesting decoration to the 
pages of a hortus siccus. The bleach- 
ing is done in this manner: To three 
quarts of water put six ounces of liquid 
chloride of lime and twelve ounces of 
sal soda. Lay the fern leaves into a 
basin of clear water, adding a small por- 
tion of the preparation from time to time 
until the leaves are nearly white : then 
