Flower Preservatives

Ingredients

• paraffin wax
• salicylic acid (20 grains)
• formaldehyde (10 minims)
• alcohol (2 fluid ounces)
• distilled water (1 quart)
• plaster of Paris
• lime
• dammar (5 ounces)
• oil of turpentine (16 ounces)
• benzoline (16 ounces)

Directions

1. Melt paraffin wax until just hot enough to remain fluid.

2. Dip fresh cut flowers one at a time by the stalks, moving them to remove air bubbles.

3. To make a preserving solution, mix salicylic acid, formaldehyde, alcohol, and distilled water.

4. For the English method, mix equal parts plaster of Paris and lime, then heat to 100°F (38°C).

5. After heating, let the flowers absorb moisture for an hour to reduce brittleness.

6. Dust the flowers gently to remove any dusty appearance.

7. For a varnish, dissolve dammar in oil of turpentine, then add benzoline and strain through fine muslin.