FLORAL DECORATIONS. 
q8 
and place another layer, and so on until they are disposed 
of. After a day or two the leaves should be shifted into 
another book, where the dry leaves will again absorb 
more moisture. After a few days in this way, the books 
all the time being subjected to pressure, the leaves will be 
dry. Now procure from the druggists some white wax 
and place it in a saucer on the stove to melt. When the 
wax is melted add a few drops of turpentine which softens 
the wax and makes the waxed leaf more pliable and 
natural. Try a leaf by dipping it into the wax, face 
downward, then draw it slowly over the edge of the saucer 
once or twice, to remove all superfluous wax, and hold it 
in a horizontal position with the right side of the leaf up, 
and it will dry in a minute or two. If the wax is too 
hot it will wither the leaf, and if too cool the wax will 
show in lumps, if just right it will be perfectly even, and 
show the colors of the leaf as bright as when first gathered. 
Sometimes, when there are uneven spots of wax on the 
leaf they can be removed by slightly scraping them with 
the thumb-nail. 
The wax should not be removed from the stove during 
the operation, but when it is too hot move it back and for¬ 
ward again when it cools. 
By the method here described leaves will retain their 
