Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-09-02
FLOWERS AND TREES.
Keiiaoie Directions for Preserving Them
in Good Condition

Rehaoie Directions for Preserving Them
in Good Condition.
Gather the fiowersonly on dry, sunny
days, when as free from atmospheric
moisture as possible. As most wild
flowers and all delicate ferns droop and
wither if carried in the hand. the best
plan is to place them one by one be-
tween the leaves of a book as soon as
gathered If book has not been pro-
vided for the purpose place the flowers
between layers of moss. damp round
the stems. but dry round the blossoms
Carried thus in a basket or botanical
case they win keep fresh for some
hours, but as soon as possible they
should be placed in water and allowed
to stand in a moderately warm room
for an hour or two before being press
ed. in order to dry off any moisture they
may have contracted against the moss.
The reason for being particularly care
full as to their dryness is, that upon that
largely depends their retaining their
color. If pressed when damp they in
variably become discolored, or have a
faded appearance. Those in the book
may be left there for an hour or two. If
not convenient to attend TO them at
once, but the sooner they are put into
blotting-paper the better. Arrange
carefully, and regulate the pressure ac-
cording to color and texture. Ferns
can not be too firmly pressed. and vel
low and purple flowers also stand great
pressure; but red or yellow-tinted
leaves, such as those of the wild gerani-
UNI, and all flowers of succulent texture.
require to be more lightly pressed, 9TH
erwise they lose their color. Most
flowers and ferns are the better for
having the blotting-paper changed at
least twice during the eight or ten days
required for pressing them perfectly.
This is best done by placing dry sheet
above them. taking hold of it and the
sheet upon which they are lying, turn
ing over quickly the two thus held. so
bringing the damp sheet uppermost,
then carefully removing that Should
any leaf or blossom be inclined to adj
here to the paper, a slight tap on the
back will generally suffice to loosen it;
If not, it must be removed with the fin
gers Then place two dry sheets above
and one underneath that upon which
the flowers are On changing a second
liIilt- OIc OVER anu one Will SUI
flee. Primroses. violets. wood sorrel
and several other delicate flowers and
all very fragile ferns such as the young
fronds OF the oak and beech, form an
exception TO this rule. and must not be
removed from the first sheet upon
which they are laid down until they are
perfectly dry: otherwise they viii curl
up, and it will be found impossible to Law
thaDa fiofa TyrA 1-I- Shan-S
however, be laid above and one under
meath the sheet they are on. Moss. if
pressed immediately in the moist state
it usually Is IN when gathered. need not
be changed from the papers in which it
is first laid. But if allowed to dry. and
then re-wet for pressing, it must be put
into dry papers next day. ANY thick
ish paper viii do to press it in. The
press consists of two pieces of hard
wood. two or three dozen pieces of MILL
board. cut to the same size, or frac-
ton less, and an unlimited supply of
white blot ng paper. There IS no APP
preciable advantage gained by using
botanical paper. and blotting paper is
more readily obtained. Before using,
the paper should be carefully dried in
the sun or before a fire, but not used
whilst still hot. Each layer of flowers
or leaves should have from four to six
thicknesses of paper. and then be
placed between two pieces of mill
board. Two strong leather straps, con-
nected for convenience sake by
handle. like rag straps, give the neces
sary pressure. If still a greater de-
gree than they give when drawn as
tightly as possible is desired. two
wedges may be inserted between the
strap and the wood. When removed
from the press. the flowers and leaves
should be kept in book for awhile be-
fore being exposed to the air.-LOn0on
Queen.