"The Distaff." USES FOR AUTUMN LEAVES.

Waikato Times, Volume xxvi, Issue 2458, 8 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distaff." USES FOR AUTUMN LEAVES.

(Prk.«s ) Autpms leaver cuu be utilised for dessert D'Oyleys, in tho following way: (Troop your leaven on squares (or rounds)) of white cnteen'or satin, secure lightly with gum or stitch them with fine white cotton or rilk ; cover the entire D'Oyley with fino nett or tulle, mid edgo with lace. Tho effect i*> exceedingly pretty aod delicate. Of course the leaves must have been previously preyed and diiod between sheets of blotting 1 paper in the manner described lust week. Sprays of leaves are very useful holp<» for decorative pnrpo«cs during tho winter when flowers nre scarce and th*» va*es empty. They nre much improved by mixing various grasses with them, and fronds of pressed ferns. Another method of preserviuir the brightness of colour is to smooth each leaf on the wrong side with a hot iron, holding it down for a minute or two. Any leaves that are not frit should bo soaked in water, then oiled on tho right side Take a number of fino wire stems, and fix every leaf to a atom. Lny the leaf over the wire, which should extend tho whole length of the leaf to support it. Afterwards coyer the wiro with green or brown tissue paper, nnd croup them into spray*. To look well, nature must be as closely followed as possible, each individual leaf on a spray of tbo same species. Afterwards the sprays can be mixed and arranged according to tnsto. Va«es and dinner table ornaments may be made very pretty and effective filled' with leaves thus preserved.