HOW TO PRESERVE BLOSSOMS.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 13, 29 November 1919, Page 29

HOW TO PRESERVE BLOSSOMS.

Blossoms can be preserved so that they retain a great deal of their natural form and colour. * » * In Sand. Some' successful results have been secured by using sand. The sand should be quite clean and dry. The blossoms aro gathered soon after they have opened, but they must be free (from rain or dewdrops. Flower pots of moderate size are suitable for the plan, a little square of cardboard being put over the hole in the bottom. * * * The Method. The pot is about half-filled Avith sand, and then the flower is stood upright in the material. Moro sand is filtered in over the blossom, care being taken that the petals are held in the right position. Finally, the bloom is entirely buried. Any number of flowers may be treated in this way, and as the pots are filled they should be put aside in a warm position, such as a shelf in a sunny greenhouse. At the end of about ten days the sand may be poured away, when it will be found that the flowers are beautifully preserved iii their natural colours. « » Preserved in Wax. Another plan, in which candle wax is used, is successful where the flowers have fairly large and substantial petals. Secure an ordinary candle and cut this up into chunks, then melt these down in an old saucepan, the bits of wick being fished out. Rosebuds, carnations, and other blossoms are taken and dipped into the liquid wax for a moment. On being removed it is found that all parts of the flower were covered with a thin film of wax; this is quite transparent, yet it is sufficiently airtight to prevent tho. petals from withering. * * * The Gum Method. Another mothod needs a solution of gum and water. The mixture should only be slightly thick. Into this the blossoms are dipped when they are fresh. The gum covers all parts of the flowers with a thin coating, which is invisible, yet acts as a preservative. * » * The Sulphur Box. Those flowers which are treated with sulphur fumes seem to retain their colours best of all. A somewhat deep wooden box with a tightfitting lid is required. Tape is tacked across the inside from which the flowers could be suspended. The sulphur is put into a saucer, after !K\ing broken iip into lumps of a moderate size. 'The saucer is placed at one end of the box, the blossoms being arranged on the tapes, care being taken to see that none of them are allowed to hang right over the sulphur. The sulphur is lighted, and when burning briskly the lid of the box is shut down. To keep in the fumes a damp cloth is employed to cover the box. » * * The Result. At the end of three or four hours the blossoms will be seen to have turned quite white. After a few moments' exposure to the air the proper tinting is restored. It will be found that unless the flowers are properly bleached the preservation is not complete. Where the petals have not turned quite white the sulphur process must be repeated.