THE ARTIFICIAL FLOWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 46, 23 February 1929, Page 4

THE ARTIFICIAL FLOWER.

Of all the natural objects the flower is perhaps the most popular from the point of view of imitation. There was the exact imitation in wax of the Victorian era. There is the perfect artificial flower in silk with which hats and dresses used to be trimmed. There is the present-day felt flower, which seeks not to imitate but to suggest. These come from Italy in large numbers. Woollen flowers have been very much in vogue and so still are flowers made of leather, especially in white, beige or grey kid. Some of the most attractive flowers yet made are of straw. The straw takes bright colours very well and it is more finely woven than the very fine Bangkok. Thus it has stiffness and suppleness at the same time, and, while very small petals can be easily made of it, they have a certain stiff convention which gives them a quaint appearance. At the moment bunches of forget-me-nots and orange wallflowers are being made very successfully in finely woven straw. There are also different shades in primroses and bunches of wild lilies of the valley— that is to say, lilies with a slightly greenish hue. These look very well on the grey spring suits. The straw flower has a knack of looking perfectly natural and yet has something about "it which displays the art of workmanship. It lasts a long time and gets tumbled very' mych less easily than other kinds o'f posy decoration.

To cure earache, mix together a little eucalyptus oil, spirits of turpentine and camphorated oil, and rub them well round the bad ear. For colds, mix together a little eau-de-Cologne and about the same quantity of formaldehyde in one bottle. Shake this mixture and put a little on your handkerchief, and inhale it when your head feels stuffy.