6H./IPTER I. 
THE MECHANICAL WORK. 
Wiring and Stemming — Mossing, Tinfoiling, etc. — Filling the Design — Suggestions t< * the 
Florist-Worker— Conveniences for Work. 
SHIS IS THE BEGINNER'S starting point— his first initiation into 
the florists' art. The rapidity and neatness with which he learns to 
do his work determines his chances of after success. The neces- 
sary materials to commence work with are : Pine tooth-picks, sharpened 
both ends ; match-sticks, six inches long ; annealed wire, Nos. 20, 22 and 
36 ; unbleached linen thread of from No. S to 20, and a pair of heavy 
shears to cut wire with. 
TO STEM A FLOWER. 
There are two methods in use. One is : Cut the fine wire (No. 36) 
into lengths of about four inches ; wrap the wire around the tooth-pick, 
holding it firm ; place the flower in position, with the tooth-pick well up 
under the calyx, and with a few more quick wraps of the wire it is firmly 
secured. Tooth-picks by this process can be got read)- before it is neces- 
sary to use them, thus saving time when in a hurry. The objection to 
this system is, that sometimes too much or not enough wire will be used 
to securely fasten the flower without slipping. The method I prefer is as 
follows : Separate the fine wire into small coils ; cut through these once, 
leaving the wire as one long length ; wrap a strand around it so as to pre- 
vent tangling. Place a coil of this fine wire around the neck, cut the 
tooth-picks to a proper length — whole, halves, or three-quarters, as the 
case ma)' be — and you are ready for work. To wire for compact work, 
place the tooth-pick close up under the flower ; give three or four quick 
wraps of the wire around the two, running the wire below the stem or calyx 
down onto the tooth-pick proper. This is an important point, and prevents 
slipping. To break the wire : . Throw a loop over the end of the first 
finger of the right hand, slip this loop off between the firmly-held thumb 
