Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-10-22
I5w.3 Fressr7e Autumn Leaves.

OF all the methods by which We at
tempt to keep the glories OF one season
before oar eyes throughout the year
there is none more attractive, and, If the
leaves have been successfully preserved
in all their delicacy and variety of tint,
none more effective than that afforded by
autumn leaves" Nearly every one has
made the experiment at one time or an
other of gathering them but their beau
" is evancscent unless fixed by some
appropriate method of drying and pre-
serving; and SO few of the methods COM
monty employed yield satisfactory results,
that many persons refrain from collecting
leaves which they have learned 10y ex-
perience will only be spoiled on their
hands. From lady whose success IN
this and similar matters has obtained for
her quite q local reputation, and the pro-
duct of whose skill we have ourselves
admired. We have been fortunate enough
TO secure the following description of her
methcd We quote directly from her let
ter, though 1t was not designed for publ
cation:
From my own observation, she says,
Il think it mistaken idea that frosts
are needed to brighten and deepen the
tints Of autumn leaves. Leaves have
their time TO fall is as certain as any of
natures marvels, and they do it much
more gracefully in the mellowing sun
shine, ripening day by day, every day
showing new tints and beauties, until
they fall, their mission accomplished.
To preserve their coloring. they should
be gathered from the trees before frosts
(getting all the shades and tints possible,
Of course), singly and IN sprays Suitable
for pressing, and at once placed between
the le;ivcs-not too near together-of
books OF newspapers, and several pounds
weight laid upon them. They should be
kept, while pressing, in a cool place, and
as often as every other day (every day is
better during the week. changed into
new books This is important because
the paper absorbs the dampness from the
leaves, and they soon become discelored
if allowedtc remain.
They should be kept in press until
thoroughly dry-between two and three
wecks-otherwise they shrivel; they are
then ready for a coating Of oil or varnish.
| find mixture of three ounces of spirits
of turpentine, two ounces OF boiled lin
seed-oh and half an ounce of white var
nish preferable to either alone. Get a
smooth board, large enough to lay spray
upon with no reaching of the leaves be-
yond the outer edges, or in an unlucky
moment comes the wall, How could
be SO careless as to break off the very
loveliest leaf ! have done it more than
once, and have thereby learned that
autumn leaves are brittle things and re-
quire tender handling. Take piece of
soft cloth 10 apply the dresslng-a brush
does not do it as evenly-and there must
be no streaks left they are u blemisli
when dry.
after the application, the leaves mas,
be laid carefully on boards or papers mot
overlapping each other) until dry, and
then disposed OF rs taste suggests, avoid
ing as much as possible a stiff, unnatural
arrangement They charm me most IL
sprays and groups on curtains and walls,
with or without ferns but they can boar
ranged very artis.ically on the panels OF
doors. using starch for holding them IL
place. | have seen them used with ever
green's in winter decorations with great
effect; the stem can be broken off and /;
fine wire fastened III its place, which
makes them little more yielding &c
handle. 1nefe Is beauty lof some III u
wreath, So called Of autumn leaves, but
have always failed to see it, more especi
ally if under glass they have such help
less, imprisoned looR, the beauty al
fiattened out of them.
Not long since | read the maleIiction,
Of an individual on newspaper; he ha.
read in it 'to preserve autumn leaves
-; !,t.!e white Iax on the surface ant
pass B. Garin iron over them He said h
sat up till midnight ruinmg bushel .
the loveiiest leaves he ever saw 1T lef
them the color of an old felt hat. | lay
had some experience in the ironing pro
cess, and can truthfully say it spoils botl
leaves and temper.
''The leaves Of su'nac and the Virgins
creeper, or e-fingcred ivy, Will retail
their beauty for time, if pressed, and cal
he used to advantage with other leaves
but after drying they have not much sub
stance, and soon the grace Of the fashlol
of them perisheth'-as do TO many othe
beautiful thiugs '-ipptctoh's SGmme
BOOk