Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-04
PRESERVING AUTUMN LsAvEs.
Spread Them ON Newspapers After They
base Been ironed.
food Hous Ia ping.

4
base Been ironed-
food Hoas IL PING.
! A few absolutely perfect leaves are
better than a score OF common ones
| that we are tempted to collect. The
leaves OF the hard maple are always
gorgeous In hue and delicate in outline.
Those that wear the deepest tints OF
crimson or yellow are best for our pur-
nose. Oak leaves are shiny and firm
and easily preserved. Nature has always
/ beep prodical 10 the beech tree, scat
terinQ on her boughs the richest, bright
est colors.
The sumac CLOVIS with vivid crimson,
and clear amber shines through the
dainty larch and chestnut leaves. linen
there are the dull chocolate and notified
red of the blackberry vines, while the
poplar and aspen shine out with silvery
white, all speckled over with touches Of
green. Gather these wild wood beauties
with az much care as would be bestowed
upon bouquet of garden blossoms, and
hasten home with them before theybegin
10 dry and curl Upon reaching home
let The first care be to have two hot
irons ready.
Cover the kitchen table with three or
four layers Of newspapers, over wnich
fasten smoothly a soft cotton cloth.
Have at hand lump OF beeswax, tied
In small bag, and ssmilar package
Of rosip. Now smooth out leaf with
your hand. rub the beeswax lightly
over the iron, letting the hot,
smooth surface glide quickly over the
leaf, first on the upper and then the
lower side, pressing a little more firmly
third and fourth time, until the leaf
is thoroughly dry. The glowing colors
will be firmly fixed, and will never fade,
unless exposed to the sunshine.
Having treated all the leaves In
similar manner, they are ready for the
resin, or 'the finishing process" With
a moderately hot iron, which must be
lightly and RAPIDLY rubbed over the bag
of resin, 60 over every leaf, hrst on the
upper and then on the lower SIDE.
This gives them a brilliant, hard.
glossy finish that makes them almost
indestructible. Many persons CON-
plain that the glossy appearance is un-
natural. While this is true, to some
extent, yet the protection given by the
coat of resin could be obtained In no
other way.
To preserve small branches and
boughs with leaves one must proceed in
the same manner, pressing the limbs
and twigs with the iron until dry, being
careful to avoid the point where the
leaf Is attached, as too much heat just
there will cause it to drop off instantly.
To achieve perfect success be sure to
take the leaves when freshly gathered.
When the work has been finished, spread
number OF newspapers upon the floor
of some unused room and there place
the treasures.
Give them plenty Of space, so that
they will not touch or stick to each
other. Cover them entirely with more
papers, and let them remain in this
cool, dark seclusion until ready to deco
rate the rooms. or otherwise use them
as things of beauty and joy. Reserve
few of the brightest and more perfect
specimens for the holiday times, when
they will come out of the darkness so
beautiful that they who see them will
have no longing for summer, flowers.
but will revel in the unfading glories OF
the autumn leaves.