DRYING FLOWERS IN SAND.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 183, 11 January 1878, Page 7

DRYING FLOWERS IN SAND.

The Floral Cabinet gives the following directions for drying flowers in sand, which, although not new, will be of interest to many of ourreaders. It says: — There nve many of our brilliant flowers, such ns dahlia's, pansies,- pinks, geraniums, sweetwilliams, carnations, gladiolas, • which may be preserved for years. White flowers will not answer well for this purpose ; nor any succulent plant, as hyacinths or cactus. Take deep dishes, or those of sufficient depth to allow flowers to be covered to an inch dpep with sand ; get the common white sand, such as is used for scouring purposes, cover the bottom with a layer about half an inch deep, and then lay in the flowers, with their stems downward, holding them firmly in place while you sprinkle more sand over them, until all places between - the petals are filled and the flowers are out of sight. A broad dish will accommodate quite a large number; allow sufficient sand between. Set tho dish in a dry, warm place, where they will dry gradually, and at the end of a week pour off the sand and examine, them ; if there is any moisture in the sand it must be dried out before using aa-ain. or fresh sand may be poured over them, the same as before. Some flowers will require weeks to dry, while others will become sufficiently dry to put away in a week or ten days. By this simple process flowers, ferns, &c, are preserved in their proper shape, as well as in their natural colour, which i 3 far better than to press them in books When arranged in groups and mounted on cards, or in little straw baskets, they may be placed in frames under glass. SALE OF CANADIAN SHORTHORNS AT WINDEIWEUI2. It was quite anticipated that Mr Cochran e's consignment of shorthorns from Canada would be one of the "sensational" sales oft.be year, but Mr Thoronton, who sold the cattle, npver dreamt, that 4,300 guineas would be realised for one animal. The stock were shipped on the 4th August from Montreal and were landed in Liverpool on the 14th, and after a ten day*' passage they looked uncommonly well, thus proving their constitutions were hardy When they appeared on the slopes of Oloudesdale's farm, Mille^hpek, after a fortnight's rest, they cert.uinlv seemed a very attractive lot. A mono* the breeders present were the Earl of Beotivp, Lord Skelmersdale, Lord Faversbam, Sir W. Salt, Sir -John Swinbourne, the Rev. Mr Sr.amforth, &c. The animals sent over consisted of a number of first-class specimens of the Booth blood and of tbe Bates, the latter of which will be seen from tbe price?, are decidedly most in favour at present. Of the Bates the Third and Fifth " Durdu-s of Hilhurst" were present, al«o the celebrated bull " 2nd Duke of Hilhurst " and son of the "6th Duke of Geneva" which is now in the herd of the Karl of Dunmore, whose selections from his herd made such bi<rh prices two and three years ago. The first onimal .brought into the ring was " Vernal Star," a cow of 11 years of age. She is a beautiful red and white, and keeps her age remarkably well. Put in at 50 gs «he rjse very rapidly to 450 gs, at which price she was knocked down to Mr Darling of Shropshire. Tbe. next animal passed out of the ring for 41 :rs. Then " White Pose" was bought by th°. Rev. Mr Stamforth after a spirited competition for 300 gs. This was a beautifully modelled white cow and so also the red and white " Bright Lady," that fell to Mr Torr for 300 gs. When "Vesper Star " came into the ring there was quire a sensation. She is a .cbarmin"' red and white cow, with " all over " quality- fall of flesh, and betokening a -yood milker. From 100 gs. she rapidly rose to 1000 gs. at which she was knocked down to Mr Crossley, of Kerry, Ireland. ' There was less animation in the next lots, yet still several of the cattle went from over 200 gs. to 800 gs. The "3d Duchess of Hilhurst," a magnificent red, then stepped into the ring There was not a moment's pause until 1000 gs. was offered, and ultimately Mr Loder claimed her as bis own at 4100 gs. When sth Duchess of Hilhurst came into the ring, 1000 gs. was offered, capped imme-' diately by 500 more and soon the figure 3300 was reached. Lord Bective beingdetermined to have the beautiful red, even bid 1000 gs. advance on bis own previous. bid, aod secured the charming creature at 4.300 gs. which is. with the exception of tbe " Duchess of Geneva," sold at New York Mills sale, 2' or 3 ' years ago for 7.000 gs. the highest price ever given for a shorthorn. The" 2nd Duke of Hilhurst," a magnificent, specimen of the shorthorn breed, went at 800 gs. to Mr Longman, of Paternoster Row. The sale in every respect was v highly successful one, resulting in the grand total of £17,150. _ The average . of>37 cows, heifers, and calves, was over £420, and of 8 bulls £240. A NEW GRASS. A grass from Hungary (Setam Geri maxima) is exciting some attention* in* the United States'. The following is from the,, ; Russian River Flag, which i will be 'read with interest : — Mr Benjamin Clark, of Windsor, has been experimenting* on; the growth pf Huni garian grass, which is, la rg«|y used as ! I feed in the the Western States* and with 7- ' • '*• "V*

a, degree of success which cannot fail to be of interest. Mr Clark brought the seed with him from the East, and planted it on May 4, simply ploughing it into a piece of ordinaiw .soil. Tingrass is now about 5 feet high, the stalk thick and juicy and joined like cornstalk, the leaves large and succulent, and the heads from six to eight inches long and very full. The seed, which is exceedingly numerous, is of the oily nature of that of the burr clover, which, in fact, it closely resembles. Mr Clark is of the opinion that it can be 'repeatedly cut, and is now making experiments. In Illinois it is customary to allow it to sow itself, which it does readily ; but we are informed by Mr H. O". Marshall that in Missouri it is usually cut and the stubble turned under as a fertiliser, and adds greatly to the richness of any soil on account of the fulness of its roots. In Missouri if is found to be too rich for horses, but the best possible i'eed for cattle and hogs. It makes first-class hay, and yields largely, the stools being as full as the average of wheat. Although in the Western States it is customary to sow it in rich soil, the average growth is but four feet, while Mr Clark has a growth of five feet on soil that is rather thin and without irrigation. Is not the Hungarian grass our feed of the future 1