The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-09-25
HOUSEHOLD AND FARM.


In AppCtOn's Summer Book" we find some
directions for preserving autumn leaves, writ
ten by lady whose success in the preserva
ton of such leaves has given her quite Local
reputation From my own observation" she
says, 81 think it Is a mistaken idea that irosts
are needed to brighten and deepen the tints OF
autumn leaves. Leaves nave their time tc
fall Is as certain rs any of Natures marvels
and they do it much more gracefully in the
mellowng sunshine, ripenlng day by day
every day showing new tints and beauties, un
til they fall, their mission accomplished. Ia
preserve their colorlng, they should be gath
cred from the trees before trosts getting all
the shades and tints possible, of course, sing.
ly, and in sprays suitable for pressing, and at
once placed between the leaves mot too near to.
gether) Of books or newspapers, and several
pounds weight laid upon them. They should
DE kept, while pressing, in n cool place, and
HS often as every other day every day is bet
ter during the first week changed INTO new
books This is important, because the paper
absorbs the dampness from the leaves, and
they soon become disColOred if allowed to re.
main
"They should be kept in press until thor.
oughly dry-betwecn two and three weeks
otherwise they shriyel. They are then ready
for q coating Oc oil or varnish. I find a NIX
ture Of three ounces OF spirits of turpentine,
two ounces OF boIlcd lnseed oil, and halt an
ounce Of white varnsh preferable to either
alone Get perfectly smooth board. large
enough 10 lay spray upon, with no reaching
of the leaves beyond the outer edges, or IN an
unlucky moment comes the wall How could
be so careless as to break off the very lowell,
est leaf | have done il more than once, and
have thereby learned that autumn leaves are
brittle things and require tender handling.
Take a piece OF soft cloth to apply the dress
ing. 4 brush does not do it as evenly and
there must De no strcaks left. They are q
Flemish when dry.
r "After the application, the leaves must be
laid carefully on boards or papers mot over
tapping each other until dry, and then dis
posed of as taste suggests avoiding as much
as possible II stiff, unnatural arrangement.
They charm me most in sprays and groups on
curtains aud walls, with or without ferns; but
they can be arranged very artlstically on the
panels Of doors, using starch for holding them
IN place. | have seen them used with ever
greens in winter decorations with great effect.
The stem can be broken off, and fine wire
attached in its place, which makes them lit
tie more yielding to handle. There is beauty
\ for some in q wreath, SO called, of autumn
leaves sbut have always failed to see 1t, more
especially if under glass. They have such a
helpless, imprisoned look-.the beauty all flat
tened out of them.
Not long since | read the maledictions OF
an Individual on IA newspaper He had read
in IT. TO preserve autumn leaves, put lit
tie white wax on the surface and pass % warm
iron over them He SAID he sat up till after
midnight running u bushel of the loveliest
leaves he ever saw. 1T left them the color of
an old telt had have had some experience
in the ironing process, and can truthtully say
it spoils both leaves and temper The leaves
OF sumach and the Virginia creeper, on five
fingered ivy, will retain their beauty for time
If pressed, and can be used to advantage with
other leaves; but after drying they have not
much substance, and soon the grace of the
fashion of them perishcth, as do SO many 9TH
err beautiful things