Preserving the Colour of Flowers

Abstract

IN response to the inquiry of “A. W.,” perhaps you will allow me to say that many years ago I met with Mdlle. d'Angeville, the first lady to ascend Mont Blanc. She possessed the largest and best preserved collection of Alpine flowers I have ever seen, and she assured me she never used anything but cotton-wool in her press, changing it, of course, frequently. Her gentians, pedicularias, and other delicate plants were perfect in colour; and having tried her plan myself, although with less care, and therefore with less success, I still have Alpine flowers which have retained their colour for twenty years.