Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-09-26
TO PRESERVE CUTFLOWERs.
Empie but Effective Measures For Pro-
longing Their Life.

longing Their Life.
The woman who wishes to enjoy
the whole of the short life of her
cut flowers, instead of only small
portion of it, will not settle down
upon any one undertaking method
for preserving them, but will rather
vary it, according to the different
causes which lead to their decay.
Take, for instance. the flowers OF
succulent nature like the iris. The
stems, when put into water, slough
away and soon give forth an I'M
pleasant odor. There are two rene
dies which may he applied in this
case Either one should put mild
disinfectant in the water and 1ro-
quently change it or cut off the ends
of the stalks at short intervals.
a good point to remember in gath
ering flowers of the iris family, and
indeed all succulent plants like the
primrose, the snowdrop, the lily and
the poppy, is to pick them while still
in the bud, as they will often suck
up enough water to quite carry out
their natural life.
Another flower whose stem most
rapidly decays and corrupts the wa
ter is the mignonette, and it is often
best, therefore, to sacrifice it While
its head is still freshly green. Hello
trope, like mignonette, should al
ways be put in water by itself, for
it not only fades and turns brown
rapidly, but it will kill almost any
flower put with it.
The cause of decay in hard wood
ed plants like the azalea and camellia
is that they do not take up enough
water, not:that they have any tend
ency to pollute it, so that TO cut
their stalks frequently would be of
little avail. The hard, brittle wood
has no power of absorption, but ii,
when putting such flowers in vase
or bowl, you make sure that the low
est leaves attached to the blossoms
are under water, the effect is magic
al. The tender green of the fresh
leaf absorbs the water and acts as a
conductor, in its turn nourishing
the blossom. Ferns, and especially
maidenhair, are very short lived
when they have to look to the stem
alone for Dourishment, and the most
effectual way to preserve them is
to sec that the lower part of every
frond is we'll under water. Cut flow
ers require as a rule & far larger
quantity of water than is given
them, though the capacious bowls
and vases now in vogue come much
nearer meeting their wants than the
slender, elegant forms that continue
to adorn our cabinets and mantels.
We must be guided in our expecta-
lions of the longevity of flower,
however, by its normal life and not
expect the frail blossom of a day to
rival the splendid orchid in its three
weeks duration.
Flowers should always be placed
in water as soon as possible after be-
ing picked. When received by post
in q somewhat wilted condition, an
Immediate plunge into hot water
with a little sal volatile Will accom-
plish wonders IN the way of reviving
them.
Lilac, laburnum and azaleas re-
quiro to have q piece OF the bark
stripped up and left hanging, and
this, with the addition of few
leaves in the water, will often keep
them in quite fresh condition for
weeks.
The bouquet which you have car
ried during an evening will bo sure
to revive again if You will spray it
we'll with water and put it under a
bell glass, and if you wish to wear
flowers in your hair or on your cor
sage 5hoy may he made to retain
their freshness for an entire evening
by putting a bit of sealing wax over
the ends.-New York Sun.