Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-10-30
How to Impress Leaves, Etc. on p.nor
Wood and Cloth. r''

LAST summer, as we roamed the woods
we collected many specimens of ferns nrat
tiy shaped leaves, and featherv snrays
We carefully pressed them in some old
account books, newspaper, or mnsia
books-robbing the kitchen Of fjatironS
and weights, and the library of heavy
books, under which we placed our books
full of the beauties of the woods.
After three or four days we changed tho
leaves on to different pages, to prevent
the dampness from depriving the leaves Of
color. (Be careful and select a dry Mace
for your pressing apparatus.J Of course
many leaves lost their bright green color
and many ferns were not fit for bouquets
or any ornamental winter decorations. We
determined TO make selection from all
those we had pressed, whose shapes were
perfect, and take an impression OF them
by the art of spatterwork We selected
an old account book, and cut out the leaves
leaves leaving an inch on which to cline
other leaves. We then bought q number
of sheets Of thick drawing paper and
cut these sheets the size Of the leaves OF
the account book. On these we ARRANGED
our best specimens We then, by spatter
1cl ~, AobIh ~ pctJCCt c"pftSS6oH VI itltlil-
even the tiny laceWOrk points Of delicate
ferns and leaves were faithfully impressed
on our drawing paper. After we had re
moved the pressed leaves, etc, we
traced the veins of the leaves with a dark
pencil.
We have now arranged sufficient leaves
to half fill our account book. We carefully
pasted the leaves to the strip of the old leaf
left, only FASTING on every third strip, as
the dlaWing paper was thicker thar the
original leaf. We are now collecting
from greenhouses all rare specimens Of
ferns, lycopodiums and maidens hair.
This summer we shall strive to find new
varieties in the woods, and among even
the weeds by the roadside. These i'm
pressions are lasting. We hope some of
our young friends will commence to gath
er a collection Of the lovely ferns and
leaves scattered broadcast over hill and
dale by the good Father of us all. Look
at every little weed! The weed yarrow is
as beautiful as lace-wOrk,
Perhaps some of our readers do not
know how spatter-work is done. We
will tell them our way. First get a ten
cent cake Of India ink, and a paper OF
number eleven or twelve needles; then
purchase a small piece of netted wire at a
sieve-maker's or take piece ofthe netted
wire Of an old sieve (mOst people use a
small comb, but this fine netted wire
makes finer spatters). Then get nail
brush or tooth brush tan old one will do
quite as well as new brush). Then pur
chase some draWing-Daper, and your ma
terials are ready. Rub your India ink in
q saucer with little water; be careful
and not have it very thin. The spatters
are made by dipping the end of the bris
ties Of your brush lightly into the liquid
ink in the saucer, and rubbing the brush
on the wire or comb. Before using it on
your work you should have a piece OF
waste paper to try it. If the spatters are
large, you have too much on your brush
The spatters should be in so fine a spray
as scarcely to be seen at first. Patient
and constant work will make the SHADING
delicate and even
Now you are ready to commence work
You should have an old table or a board
for your work, as the points of the needles
might injule it. First spread sheet o.
thick Wrapping-paper over your table OF
board. Place your drawing paper on The
table, and arrange your leaves as you de
sire to represent them. If there is any
danger Of the leaves moving, or they are
not perfectly fat, fasten them gently down
with fine needles, using the handle
OF your brush for hammer. Ther
hold your wire netting in your lief
hand, dip your brush lightly into
the moist ink, after. trying it or
waste paper, then spatter your paper al
over and around your leaves, until there
is as dark shade as you desire. Let tht
ink dry before you untasten your ferns
etc. Then remove them carefully from
your paper. II well done, you will have
a perfect impression Of your ferns and
leaves. 1t adds to their beauty to trace
the veins with dark lead pencil. If you
desire to keep any portion OF your paper
free from spatters, you should cover ii
with paper, leaving only the place to be
spattered uncovered.-Litle Corporal.