Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1886 — To Skeletonize Leaves. [ARTICLE]

To Skeletonize Leaves.

Soak the leaves for a long time in rain-water, until they are quite decayed, but those who have had considerable experience in the work recommend a quicker method, the immersion of the leaves in a boiling alkaline solution, the time of immersion to be regulated by the character of the various leaves aud the nature of the epidermis to be removed. "When it is seen that the groen part of the leaf is dissolving, put the leaf on a flat white earthen plate and cover it with clear water. Then, having gently squeezed with the fingers, the membranes will begin to open and the green substance will come out at the edges. The membranes must be carefully taken off with the finger, and great caution must be used in separating them near the middle rib. The skeletons must then be thoroughly bleached by exposing them to the fumes of chlorine gas. If to this vapor be added that of peroxydo of hydrogen the fibers of the leaves are strengthened, so that they can readily be arranged—after being dried by pressure between folds of tissue paper—in bouquets.—lnter Ocean.

A last farewell—a shoemaker giving np his business.