Have a wooden cross made, twelve or fifteen inches high and one
and one-half inches in diameter, with a base that has three steps (made
by using three different sizes of blocks one inch thick) ; let the lower
one be six inches square ; have the cross fastened in the center of these
steps. Cover this with putty (which must be used while moist), and
place the quartz and minerals irregularly all over the cross ; take a few
of the minerals, and fine sand; pound up the minerals fine, sift the
sand over the pounded mass and sprinkle it in the interstices made by
the minerals not covering the entire cross.
One can be made of shells in the same way, only using small shells,
bits of broken china, glass and sand to fill up the smaller spaces. Avoid
regularity as that spoils the effect. Spar, quartz and mineral specimens
may be preserved in this way, as even the smallest pieces may be used.
With each piece numbered, and a corresponding catalogue giving num-
ber and description of specimen, these make a very valuable acquisi-
tion to a cabinet where all the articles are labelled.
36 CRYS TALLIZA TIONS.
CRYSTALLIZATIONS.
FERNS AND GRASSES.
Alum, if dissolved in cold water, will take about fifteen parts of water
to one of alum, or a pint of water to an ounce of pure alum ; but, by
dissolving in boiling water, the pint of water will take up a pound of
alum. It is by this process the crystals are formed, and herein is where
many persons fail ; that is, the attempt to crystallize by dissolving only
the amount of alum that cold water will take, whereas the proper
method is to continue adding alum until a " saturated solution " is
formed, or it will dissolve no more, whenever large and heavy masses
of crystals are desired ; but if delicate and well-defined small crystals
are formed, make a boiling solution of water, and only an ounce or so
of alum, which will cover the objects placed in it while hot, with perfect
crystals when it becomes cold. For an ordinary collection of grasses
and ferns, sufficient for two bouquets or a basket, take a pound of alum
and one gallon of water; boil until dissolved, and when cool, having
tied the grass in small bundles, pour the solution of alum into a glazed
jar or basin, and placing sticks across the rim, from side to side, sus-
pend the branches from these so that they hang down and are immersed
in the water ; then place the jar in a safe place where it will not be dis-
turbed during a whole night. Do not expect that the crystals will be
always formed as soon as the solution becomes cold, for it may be
twelve or fifteen hours, perhaps even longer, before the deposit com-
mences.
When the grasses, etc., appear sufficiently coated, remove and hang
them up to drain, and dry off. Slender grass should not be too heavily
crystallized, as it causes it to bend too much to appear graceful. This,
however, will be learned by experience. It is sometimes desirable to
give the crystals a frosty appearance ; this is done by placing them
before the fire where they will dry rapidly, and gives them a white
look, like crushed ice or frosted snow.
FRESH FLOWERS.
Page 32
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Have a wooden cross made, twelve or fifteen inches high and one and one-half inches in diameter, with a base that has three steps (made by using three different sizes of blocks one inch thick) ; let the lower one be six inches square ; have the cross fastened in the center of these steps. Cover this with putty (which must be used while moist), and place the quartz and minerals irregularly all over the cross ; take a few of the minerals, and fine sand; pound up the minerals fine, sift the sand over the pounded mass and sprinkle it in the interstices made by the minerals not covering the entire cross.
One can be made of shells in the same way, only using small shells, bits of broken china, glass and sand to fill up the smaller spaces. Avoid regularity as that spoils the effect. Spar, quartz and mineral specimens may be preserved in this way, as even the smallest pieces may be used. With each piece numbered, and a corresponding catalogue giving number and description of specimen, these make a very valuable acquisition to a cabinet where all the articles are labelled.
[illustration: 36 CRYSTALLIZATIONS.]
CRYSTALLIZATIONS.
FERNS AND GRASSES.
Alum, if dissolved in cold water, will take about fifteen parts of water to one of alum, or a pint of water to an ounce of pure alum ; but, by dissolving in boiling water, the pint of water will take up a pound of alum. It is by this process the crystals are formed, and herein is where many persons fail ; that is, the attempt to crystallize by dissolving only the amount of alum that cold water will take, whereas the proper method is to continue adding alum until a " saturated solution " is formed, or it will dissolve no more, whenever large and heavy masses of crystals are desired ; but if delicate and well-defined small crystals are formed, make a boiling solution of water, and only an ounce or so of alum, which will cover the objects placed in it while hot, with perfect crystals when it becomes cold. For an ordinary collection of grasses and ferns, sufficient for two bouquets or a basket, take a pound of alum and one gallon of water; boil until dissolved, and when cool, having tied the grass in small bundles, pour the solution of alum into a glazed jar or basin, and placing sticks across the rim, from side to side, suspend the branches from these so that they hang down and are immersed in the water ; then place the jar in a safe place where it will not be disturbed during a whole night. Do not expect that the crystals will be always formed as soon as the solution becomes cold, for it may be twelve or fifteen hours, perhaps even longer, before the deposit commences.
When the grasses, etc., appear sufficiently coated, remove and hang them up to drain, and dry off. Slender grass should not be too heavily crystallized, as it causes it to bend too much to appear graceful. This, however, will be learned by experience. It is sometimes desirable to give the crystals a frosty appearance ; this is done by placing them before the fire where they will dry rapidly, and gives them a white look, like crushed ice or frosted snow.
FRESH FLOWERS.