Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-25
CARE OF CUT FLOWERS
ADD A LITTLE SALT OR AMMONIA TO
THE WATER.
One Perfect Blossom Looks BetteR
Than q Bunch Badly Arranged
Always Split stems.

Written for The Evening Star.
Luxuriant as are cut flowers IN the sum-
mer in most neighborhoods, very few per-
sons know how to get the most benefit
from them. The flowers, beautiful az they
are at first. seldom last any time and the
method OF their arrangement and location
in the house is such as does not add any,
thing to the decorative scheme.
Those who have handsome gardens very
often like to send floral gifts to their less
fortunate friends. Flowers for this pur-
pose should be clipped from the stems the
day they are to be sent away and should
be Immediately placed In water. The gath
erer should not handle the flowers any
more than Is absolutely necessary. When
they are shipped from the main stalk OF
the plant they should be at once dropped
into a shallow pan or basket, and when
that Is filled should be carried to a cool,
dark room, sorted and placed in water.
A little salt or ammonia added to the
water in which the stems are Immersed
will help to preserve their freshness. Be
fore placing the flowers in the water the
stems should be cut diagonally, to remove
the end of the bark, which even in a short
time after cutting from the stalk is coated
over with thick. gummy substance. which
prevents the fbers from drinking UP the
water When the flowers look especially
withered they should be immersed almost
to the head in water and allowed to re-
main until the leaves SNOW Signs VI ISIoN-
ering or prove by their condition that they
are hopelessly dried up. Flowers having
fibrous woody stems are best preserved
by making slit of two inches In the lower
part of the stem or by peeftng OF the skin
so that a larger surface of the stem may
be exposed to the water.
When the flowers are to be arranged in
a shallow bowl a wire arrangement may be
purchased from the florist for their sup
port or a wire frame to be fitted TO the
bowl may be made at home. When the
bowl is a very large one ana Is 10 De nlieu
to the top with the flowers. small pots may
be set in the bowl and filled with water
Wild Flowers Soon Die.
Wild flowers are very hard to preserve
They last longest when taken UP with their
roots. Plants which are exceptionally hard
to keep may be retained in better condition
by cutting notches in the lower part OF the
stems, at the fnternodes IL they are jointed:
In sending flowers away the use OF oiled
and corrugated paper is best Inc olie1
paper excludes air. and the corrugated
naper wrapping the blossoms preserves
them from crushing. A bit of damp moss
placed at the stem OF the Mower anu dh-
other piece at the head will keep II cool ana
prevent its tossing about on the journey
stout paper should then be wrapped about
the outside. A strong box and lots or moss
and paper to prevent the flowers from COM
Ing in contact with the rough wood are the
best protection. Plenty of paper should be
crushing when on the journey.
All sorts of receptacles serve for the re-
ception Of decorative flowers. Among these
are lars and bowls of cut glass. glazed pot
terv Indian brass, porcelains of China and
Japan Delft Worcester and the FeiVety
Wedgwood china, beaten oriental ware OF
copper, Sevres. Limoges, crystal ana even
silver The flowers should be adapted TO
the character of the Jar in which they are
to be placed. For instance. gorgeous tropi-
cal-looking plants suggest a barbarlc jar OF
rare pottery or one of copper. brancned
holder consisting of a number Of little cor
nuc oEIas of cut glass arranged upon d
silver frame Is one Of the newest flower
holders. 1t serves admirably as tabie
decoration for elaborate dinners.
As the Japs Do.
The japanese exhibit a great deal OF taste
In the arrangement Of flowers. Their
method is almost entirely symbolical. but
their care In seeking and following the line
of grace suggested by the plant Is wise
one. The average idea Of plant arrange
ment is a thick unsightly bunch in which
every variety Is crowded without an idea
Of harmony. AS a gift one perfect hover
is in better taste than a mass OF iHieIior
ones badly arranged.
In decorating room with flowers it
should be remembered that profuston In the
use OF flowers, as OF anything else, Is IN
abominable taste. Those fashionable DANES
who turn their drawing rooms into artificial
flower arbors every time they entertain are
among the worst offenders against good
form.
The color Of the flowers should be sub
ordiI ate to the color scheme of the apart
ment In a red room not Of the scarlet
type red and yellow flowers like giadioli,
scarlet and yellow dahlias and asters, yell
low and red chrysanthemuns and peonies
and yellow lilies may be used TO advantage
In blue room pale yellow, white and bum
flowers look well, especially such as nave
yellowish green foliage. Warm tints should
be used for forming harmontes and cold
tints for contrasts
When artificial light Is to be used at the
time the best effect of the flowers Is desired,
1t should be remembered that white, red
and yelIows are the safest to use. Blue,
violet and the reddish puppies fade under
Its rays.