COLOUR FOR WINTER

Evening Star, Issue 22637, 1 May 1937, Page 29

COLOUR FOR WINTER

The various everlasting flowers are still as popular as ever. In fact, there seems to be an increase of interest in these easily-grown and useful plants, but if everlastings are to prove satisfactory for winter decoration it is essential that they should bo gathered at tho right stage of development and dried in a proper manner. Many who have tried drying make the mistake of allowing the blooms to open too far before picking them. After this initial error the spoiling process is completed by drying _ too quickly Actually is is always advisable to pick the blooms before they are quite open. The best place for drying is an airy shod or room.. Do not attempt to hurry the proqess, as in full sunshine, for this tends to shrivel the blooms, and, in any case will spoil the colour. All foliage should be carefully stripped off, and the stems tied together in small bunches. Make a special note of this last condition, for failure is frequently due to having tho bunches too large, with tho result that the flowers do not dry evenly, the inner ones tending to decay.

For the same reason the bunches should be tied at the bottom only, the beads being spread out as much as possible to allow light and air to penetrate freely. Then hang these small bunches in the place selected for drying. Usually the simplest method is to stretch a few wires from side to side of the room, and string the bunches thereon. Avoid a stuffy atmosphere, as this encourages mildew.