Year: 1879

1t seems almost saCrilcgc to mar the SYM
mctry Of Il wcll-ErOwn tree by cutting or
breaking its branches. \ few may some
times be removed without detracting from
lis beauty; but when the ground is strewn
with leaves, il is needless 10 do this. From
such prOfusion rare selections Of cOlOring-
mOttlcd, marblcd. striped, blOtched, or
shadCd-can b. made that are unattainablc
in single branches; and these may be so ar
iiStically combined and mounted on wires as
to serve the purpose OF natural branches. y
few green leaves greatly enhance the bril-
lance OF the more highly cOlOred. Both
reds and ycllOwS become more vivid in con-
trlst with grccu-a fact too often ignored.
Rather stout wire is needed for the main
stem of a garland or branch; more slcn-
der to strengthen and render plant the leaf
stems. Common wOrstcd, Berlin or Ger
mantOwn, in red. maroon or brown; is cX-
cellcnt for winding the stems to wires after
the manner Of artificial flower sprays. Care
in arranging the leaves. according both to
color and size. Is necessary to give sItisfac
tory results. \ bOUgh or branch should
begin st the apex with very small leaf,
and the leaves gradually increase in size
toward the base. This being affixed to the
main stem by winding the worstcd, other
twiss. similarly made, can be added as the
work proceeds.


The best way 20 prepare the leaves for
mounting-thcy having been washed from
all impuricties-is 10 press them between
clean white papers under a weight. Where
one las not pressing boards designed es
pccially for this purpose, the papers con-
tanning the leaves can be laid under heavy
box or a pile Of books. After two or three
days they should be fully dried and smoOthed
with a warm mot hot iron. If a bit of
wax or Of paratinc be rubbed on the face Of
the iron Just as each leaf is ironed, Il gloss
and elasticity will be impaired and at the
same time the colors heightened and fixed.
Lcafy branches are most easily dried in this
way, without previous pressing.


b means Of warm sand small bOughs of
leaves can be- dried with their twigs and
leaves in natural position. Seeding naples
only three or four inches high, that are 50
abundant around full-grOwn maple trees,
are very lovely dried in this manner. = y
common wire sieve. a quantity Of clean
sand and a box, the bottom Of which can
be easily removed. are the materials needed.
Set the sieve within the box, and in the in
terstices Of the wirc-wOrk place the stems
of the NAPLES or the base OF the branch.
with every leaf posed as usual. Pour the
sand. heated to blood warmth, through a
paper cone or tunnel around and upon the
branches and leaves till all are covered
Set the box in the sun or on the back Of a
stove or range. If in the sun, two or three
days will be required to dry them; on e
stove or range. with constant, steady
warmth. twenty-four hours viii probably
suffice. At the end of that time remove the
bottom Of the box and let the sand pass out.
The little tree and branches will remain in
the sieve, every leaf and twig gracefully
balanced. their cOlOrs clear and fresh.
though in texture so firm as never to wilt,
or shrivel \ camers hair pencil dipped in
melted wax or paraffine should finish them.
Arrange the trees in a dish Of sand. lay
green moss upon the surface, and YOU have
pretty parlOr ornament.


The leaves of the maple and oak, and Of
few woody shroubs such as the berry


ing plants. best repay the pains taken for
preservation. OF the naples. acer rUJrt'H'
| (the red maple). whose foliage turns deep
crimson in autumn. and 4. sdcchariauDl
| (the sugar maple). exhibiting all shades of


red and yellOw-sometimes in the same leaf
from maroon and orange to delicate