Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1877 — The Way to Cut Flowers. [ARTICLE]

The Way to Cut Flowers.

The florists employ a pair of scissors, with which the stems arc severed. But a writer in the American Garden says that the flowers should never be pulled off—nor should the stems be severed with scissors, but cutoff with a sharp’knife. The beat time for cutting flow era is immediately after sundown, unless to preserve them from a storm, which would otherwise destroy or prevent their being cut in the evening. Oo cloudy days the time of cuttiug is a matter of much less difference. The explanation of these rules as to the proper time tor cutting, it i« found in the state of tlie sap at different limes of the-day and night. From tlie earliest dawn till sundown: tiie leave* are actively draw-

ing upon the roots, and the sap ia flowing freely. After that time the leaves are nearly dormant until morning. The plant i« then resting, is asleep. A flower cut in the sunshine will wilt at once, and if not put in water will quickly perish, whereas, if cut at sunset, they wil| remain fresh all night- In a coui place it will not appear to change for a long time, even if not put |ii water; yet, in a close, hot room jt w.lljtnde in an hour’. The usual manner is to out all flowers with a long stem. Unnatural as it may seem, the true way. (for the greateF part of our flowers) is to remove them without a stem. Rose* should be c*t with a long stein—the longer the better, provided other buds are not destroyed. The carnation and all plants that bear their flowers in clusters should be removed without stems. The heliotrope should be allowed a very short stem, and the verbenashould only be out as far down as the first leaf. A bit of wire or a match-stiek will serve for astem if it is desired to make of these stemless flowers a boquet. If they are to be placed in shallow dishes—the best way to display them'—the stems are of no consequence. Do not collect flowers in large bundles, or tie them together, as these processes also hastens decay,—New York Herald.