Evening star., 1898-11-19
HORTICULTURAL MONsTROSITIEs.
Growing Flowers Dyed to Suit With
Various COlOred Rcd Inks.
From the Daily Mall

FROM the Daily Mall.
A horticulturist in the south of Franco
has by soma secret method, probably not
uncoanected with chemical process,
evolved a blue mimosa, which he asserts
will be found to equal the yellow variety in
Everything save its scent"
This is only one of the many successors
to the ghastly green carnation. The diff
culties in the way of producing these hor-
rible variegations are not so great as might
be expected. Acids and anfline dyes are
largely employed for the purpose. Place
spray of lilies of the valley in a little red
ink, and in a couple of hours the petals
will be striped with red.
Sulphur fumes are a common process of
turning blossoms red. Steel iron filings
introduced in the soil will impart deep
blue color to the flower. A green border
may be given to the common narcissus by
letting the flower stand in weak solution
of aniline dye.
By cutting off from flowers the various
components of light, by screening them
with red, blue or green glass shades, vari-
Gus strange effects can be brought about.
Buds OF a red flower kept in the dark be-
come white when open. In a red light pur-
pie leaves turn green, and geranium leaves
vary in color, size and shape. A red leaf
loses its red when kept in light of the same
color, and becomes yellow, edged with
green, in a blue light. There is a bright
red verbena which pales after 1t opens, but
If kept under colored glass the flower re-
mains unchanged while the unopened buds
get lighter in color.
Acids set free in leaves and petals by the
action of light alter the color of these.
Gardeners follow course dependent upon
this when they water with alum solution
species of hortensia: this flower, when it
opens, is yellowish green, but naturally il
changes to rose color The action of the
alum neutralizes or prevents the formation
of the acids above mentioned and a blue
blossom is the result.
In like way by the action of coored
glasses strawberry flowers were made to
fill the air with perfume and the blossom
of crassula, practically scentless in the
open air, became endowed with a delicate
odor, which 1t retained when cut and Dlac 81
in water.
More interesting than these artificial
methods of painting the lily and dyeing the
carnation are the natural means of nro-
ducing floral sports by crossing and inter-
breeding. The green rose was grown in
this manner, but chrysa nthemums lend
themselves most freely to the treatment.
A single plant by judcous crossing Will
bring forth simultaneously three blossoms,
each of a different color and of a different
variety.
The south of France is the place where
the greatest trade is done in floral mon
strosities. Daily Mail representative
called yesterday on Messrs. Neitch q Son,
the well-known Chelsea nurserymen. who
told him that they refused to have any
dealings in these artificial attempts to i'm
prove" on nature. Mr.. Robert Green the
great West End florist of Crawford street
Portman Square, equally averse TO
monStroSities. Mr.. Green will not allow
single one to appear in mis- shop. At both
places was the representative assured there
was no demand for such horrors in Eng
land.
The Englishman has too genuine a love
for flowers to take any delight in their dis
figurement Just well might one take
nightingale from a copse in July and teach
the little brown bird to whistle '''E dunno
know where e are" This, in the English
mans eyes, would be no greater sacrilege
of nature than to employ aniline dyes for
changing the hues of his beloved flowers.