Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-10-27
Preserving Autumn Leaves.

Leaves have their time to fall is as Ger
tain as any of NATURES marvels, and they
do it much more gracefully in the mellow
ing sunshine, ripening day by day, every
day showing new tints and beauties, unit
they fall, their mission accomplished. To
preserve their colorIng, they should be
gathered from the trees before frosts (get-
ting all the shades and tints possible, OF
course), singly, and in sprays suitable for
pressing, and at once placed between the
leaves mot too near tegether) Of books and
newspapers, and several pounds weight
laid upon them. They should be kept,
while pressing, in cool place, and az
often as every other day (every day is
better 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 remain. They shoald be kept
in press until thoroughly dry-between two
and three weeks; otherwise they shrivel.
They are then ready for coat of oil or
varnish. find mixture of three ounces
of spirits of turpentine, two ounces of boil
ed linseed oil, and half an ounce of white
varnish preferable to either alone. Get a
perfectly smooth board, large enough to lay
q spray upon, with no reaching of the
leaves beyond the outer edges, or in an un-
lucky moment comes the wall, How could
| be so careless as to break off the very
loveliest leafp have done it more than
once. and have thereby learned that autumn
leaves are brittle things and require tender
handling. Take piece of soft cloth to
apply the dressing. A brush does not do
it soevenly, andthere must be no streaks left.
They are a blemish when dry.
After the application, the leaves must
be laid carefully on boards or papers mot
overlapping each other) until dry, and then
disposed OF as taste suggests, avoiding az
much as possible stiff, unnatural arrange
ment. They charm ME most in sprays
and groups on curtains and walls with or
without ferns; but they can be arranged
very artistically on the panels of doors, US
ing starch for helding them in place. l have
seen them used with evergreens in winter
decorations with great effect. The stem
can be broken of, and a fine wire attached
in its place, which makes them little more
yielding to handle. There is beauty for
some in a wreath, so called, of autumn
caves; but have always failed to see it,
more especially if under glass. They have
'uch ahelpless, imprisoned look-the beauty
all fiattened out them. Not long since
-ead the maledictions of an individual ON a
newspaper. He had read in it: To pre-
'erve autumn leaves, put little white wax
IN the surface and pass warm iron over
hem. He says he sat up till after midnight
'uining bushel of the loveliest leaves he !
,ver saw. 1T left them the color of an oldfelt |
nat l have had some experience in the !
roning process, and can truthfully say it |
polls both leaves and temper. The |
caves Of sumach and the Virginia |
:reeper or five fingered ivy will retain |
heir beauty for time if pressed, and can |
'e used for advantage with other leaves;
,ut after drying they have not much sub /
tance. and soon the grace OF the fashion |
# them perisheth, as do so many other
'eautitul things"