The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-27
TO PRESERVE CUT FLOWERS.
Simple but Effective Measures for
PrOIOnging Their Life.

The woman who wishes to enjoy the
whole of the short life of her cut flow
ers, instead of only small portion of
it, will not settle down upon any one
undertaking method for preserving
them, but will rather vary it accord
ing to the different causes which lead
to their decay.
Take, for instance, the flowers Of a
sCcculent nature like the iris. The
stems, when put into water, slough
away, and soon give forth an unpleas-
ant odor. There are two remedies
which may be applied in this case;
either one should put mild disinfect-
ant in the water and frequently change
it, Or cut off the ends of the stalks at
short intervals.
A good point to remember in gather
ing flowers of the iris family and in
deed all succulent plants like the prirn-
rose, 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 rap
idly decays and corrupts the water is
the mlgnonette, and 1t is often best,
therefore, to sacrifice it while it's head
is still freshly green. Heliotrope, like
mignonette, should always 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-wooded plants
like the azalea and camellia is that they do
not take up enough water, not that they have
any tendency to pollute it. so that to cut
their stalks frequently would be of little avail.
The hard, brittle wood has power of alb
sOrption, but if when putting such flowers
in vase or bowl you make sure that the
lowest leaves attached to the blossoms are
under water, the effect is magical. The
tender green of the fresh leaf absorbs the
water and acts conductor in it's turn
nourishing the blossom Ferns, and espe-
cially maiden hair, are very short lived when
they have to look to the stem alone for
to preserve them is to see that the lower
part of every frond Is we'll under water Cut
flowers require as d rule a far larger guam
tity 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 expectations of the lon
geV1ty OF Hover, however, by its normal
life, and not expect the fral 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 being picked; when
received by post in a somewhat wilted con-
dition. an immediate plunge into hot water
with a little sal volatile will accomplish
wonders in the way of reviving them
Lilac, laburnum and azaleas REQUIRE tn
have piece of the bark stripped UP and left
hanging, and this, with the addition of a
few leaves in the water. will often keep them
IN quite fresh condition for weeks
The bouquet, which you have carried dur
Ing the evening will be sure to revive again.
If you will spray it well with water and
put 1t under bell glass; and If you wish to
wear flowers in your hair or on your cor
sage they may be made to retain their
freshness for an entire evening by putting
DIT OF sealing wax over the ends.