Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-02
Writer Bouquets. Grasses, etc,

AS usual, at this season. We have H.
lmries as to the preparation OF grasses,
flowers, etc. to use for winter decora-
ton. In 1874, we publ, heda series OF
articles on this subject in which We
given the results of our own experience,
with such Information as could be gath
cred from trustworthy sources. Those
who have the volume for that year VIII
find in the several numbers for August.
September, October and December, an
article in which these matters are treat
ed in full. 1t Is not practicable for Us
to 90 over the whole ground again, in
the same detail, but for the benefit OF
new readers, we give the principal
points, referring those WHO wish ior
further particulars, to the articles ID
1874. In Europe, the preservation OF
flowers is a regular business carried on
in large establishments and employing
many hands. Great numbers Of these
flowers are imported by our dealers,
both made up in wreathS, bouquets,
baskets, etc, and in punches or clus'
ters all ofOue kind. Most Of the made
up affairs are not ola kind that appea
TO our taste, the object being, apparent
~, to crowd the greatest possible varle'
ty of the most positive colors-even tC
black @ in each design. The affect,
as a general thing, is artificial au(
tawdrY.
AS TO GRASSES.
These are largely imported, and o
late years some dealers have Offered
many OF those collected in various part'
of this country. These for the mos
part are dyed ofvarious brilliant colors
and look 10 our taste, so thoroughly
unnatural, that we are repealed ratne
than attracted by them. The pleasin!
effect of grasses is in form, rather thai
in color, and when we see specimen
which are naturally of a soft green o
straw color, dyed with the most intense
crimson or blue, or Of green the llk'
of which no grass ever presented, The
eve is arrested by the stunning" color
and takes no note OF the beauty ofform
Others load their grasses with crystals
of alum and worse yet, others are
given metallic appearance by Tx
application of bronze powders. We
can describe how these things are done
but we can not fad beauty in them.
THE TINE FOR COLLECTING GRASSES
Each month there will be som(
grasses III season, and though many g
the earlier ones have gone by, there
will be found, during this month anC
next. a sufficient variety, especially o
the larger kinds. As some Of the most
pleasing kinds are Of no agriculture,
value. they are not generally known by
common names, and to give Their botani'
cal names would be Of no use except to
botanists. who do not need them. We
therefore simply say, that by road
sides, in meadows, and especially in
moist and swampy lands, grasses arc
to be sought for. Not only the more
SNOWY kinds, but those which have
delicate, fine panicles or llower clusters
should be collected. Secure long stems,
and cut away the leaves. In most
grasses the upper joint that bears tho
flower cluster will pull out readily rom
the sheathins leaf; this will often leave
the stem too short to make up conycn-
iently, and it is better to take scycra
Joints OF the stem and cut away The
leaves. Ifone can choose the time fol
collecting, the grasses should be watch
ed as they develop, and taken when il
flower, which may be known by tho
profrusion of the anthers Or the leathorl
stgmas. Some grasses if gathered
much later than this. will drop portions
OF their flowers, or shed their seeds il
an unpleasant manner. Still, if one
is but temporarily at locality, desir'
able grass should be taken in the con
Gition it is found at the time.