fixed round the cal)"x, to support the petals. It may 
be made of strong paper, of the colour of the foliage. 
It should be roimd, and of the size of the expanded 
flower — about two inches and a half diameter. Six 
or eight cuts are to be made in the centre, half an 
inch long, and one continued to the circumference. 
Two small incisions are then to be made from the cir- 
cumference inwards, which shoidd end at about the 
eighth of an inch from the opening cut, and the same 
distance from the outer edge ; thus, little clasps will be 
formed, to fasten, the one on the other, and hold the 
petal card together, when put on the flower. Instead 
of the central cuts in the petal card, some florists 
perforate it, by carefully forcing the dressing-stick 
through the centre, and thus a short tube is produced 
at the back, in effect the same as by tbe first method. 
The calj'x shoidd be neatly tied round with fine 
thin bass, as at figure d, to prevent its bursting. 
The dressing-stick i, is made of box, round, and 
sharp at one end ; divided and flat at the other, form- 
ing pliers. These are used for taking out, or properly 
disposing, the petals of the flower, previously to its 
being exhibited. Figures e, f, metal pliers for 
the same purpose. The hook h, is intended to fasten 
down the layers, and may be cut out of fern, hazel, 
or other branches. Figime g, a wire bearer; which, 
with the assistance of an awl, may be inserted into 
the upright support, to form a bearer for the flower, 
as seen in the representation of the perfect plant. 
Figure A: is a shade, usually made of brown paper, 
with a wire rim, and painted; this is intended to 
retard the flowering; that of glass is to forward it; 
both afford protection from rain. 
Hort. Kew. 2. v. 3, 79. 
