Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-02
SPURIOUS BLOOMS.
SEVEN THOUSAND WOMEN FOL-
LOW THE TRADE IN PARIS.
Vast Number 6ha Artificial Flowers
Manufacturesfsin the Capital
ofFrance.



Perhaps one reason, why French women,
and especially Parisiennes, have a prac-
teal monopoly Of this branch of trade is
that, besides making artificial flowers. they
possess the art of Indicating to the rest of
the world the thousand and one ways in
which these blossoms may be utilized in
feminine dress. To- give an example: Till
lately 1t was considered in Paris. as else
where, bad taste to decorate dinner table
or sitting room with artificial flowers;
now, however-and 1t is said that the fash
ion comes from the Russian court-arti-
fetal flowers, especially roses, are constant
ly so used. even a very. fair imitation of
the actual scent and fragrance of the natu-
raj blossom being added by cunning pro-
cess. At the present moment there are
1000 women flower sartists in Paris alone;
they are assisted in the more mechanical
portions Of their labors by 700 workmen.
whose principal duties are those of pressing
and preparing the tissues of which the
blossoms are made. 1t is characteristic of
their artistic temperament. and doubtless
one reason why in any other kind of art
the French are 30 eminently successful,
that, instead Of having established huge
factories In connection with this work, the
leading ''fleuristes'' prefer to work with
only a small number of thoroughly COM
petent and highly trained assistants Even
what pompously styled. contain only some
thirty workwomen, and the most noted
''fleuristes" claim to be specially inspired,
as Is a painter or a sculptor and allow no
one to help them IN the actual labor of
composing their blossoms.
Skill and Taste.
Though this may seem somewhat exag-
gerated, it must be-. admitted that some
thing more than Skill more even than taste.
1t
perfect effects those most resembling ma
ture. can be obtained. Accordingly, to the
fortunate flower maker who can claim to
be at the head Of her profession no one
denies the title Of artist, and she is indeed a
true student Of nature. spending long days
in the country in order that she may see
her models to greater advantage. At the
great exhibition held three years ago one
"fleuriste'' exhibited group of roses so
absolutely perfect that the French govern
ment. considering that nothing else repre-
scented so exactly the exquisite character Of
French national industry, purchased them
and dispatched them as gift to the En-
press Of Russia. Both to the flower lover
who cares nothing about dress, and to the
lover OF dress who cares nothing about
flowers. visit to a leading 'atelier'' is
most fascinating experience. The most
scrupulous cleanliness remains supreme
and the kind Of work. which is being done
by them seems to nave refining influence
on the workers themselves. AS may be
easily understood the work has to be highly
specialized; thus one girl makes only roses
another has as her speciality mignonette vet
third devotes all her attention to the gor-
geous dollhouse blossoms which are so much
the fashion in the new century millinery
In many cases the workers are not only
artists but expert 5bntanists. and one girl
highly educated and intelligent, has had
the proud distinction OF being employed by
the french minister3ef education to make
op1- HI o.
the botany class of the public schools.
.@ Blossoms Of Batiste. "
1t is a curious fact, and one that is apt to
strike the casual visitor with some sur
prise. that the finest aid most costly arti-
hcial blossoms arednst made of the most
costly materials. atFlnas asfavorite material
with all the great sfeurfstes" is a light,
gauzy batiste. THIS material makes ideal
rolled between heavy irons in order that 1t
may be as smooth and fiat as possible. The
petals are shaped and cut with tiny irons
OF every shape and size. When a rose is
IN the making the petals are all cut out and
then Immersed in a small bath Of alkan
water colored with carmine. Into this each
petal. held by tiny pincers. is plunged, then
passed through pure water to soften and
spread the tint. AS in nature. the center
Of petal Is generally darker than the rest,
a finishing touch has to be added with a
camers hair brush. for the first immersion
In the carmfne gives only very pale, weak
color. and. accordingly. II a deep pink or
dark red rose Is in process Of making. each
petal has to be dipped again and again.
For less expensive blossoms the petals are
both cut and colored by machinery but for
the present it is we'll to consider only the
higher branches of the art. The exquisite
leaVes which are such specially Of the
French "feuriste" are composed of par
tlcu!ar make of light taffeta, tinted green,
In pieces of about yard square, which are
put on frame and left to dry. When dry.
light coat Of gum arabic is brushed on
one side. while the other Is washed with
green colored starch water. If a velvety
surface is to be obtained there is then ap-
Piled to the tafreta powder made Of wool
and dyed in very pale. almost white,
green. When the material is thoroughly
cried the leaves are cut or stamped out,
and the veins are pressed into them with
quantity shaped irons. The same elaborate
processes are followed in the case of stems
and the stamens Of both flowers and leaves
nne Wire india rubber and the finest tat
feta ribbon being used each material being
OF the best, and therefore costly.
WON HEAVILY FOR A WHILE.