Letters written on vellum or paper are gilded in three ways; in the first, a little size is mixed with the ink, and the letters are written as usual; when they are dry, a slight degree of stickiness is produced by breathing on them, upon which the gold leaf is immediately applied, and by a little pressure may be made to adhere with sufficient firmness. In the second method, some white lead of chalk is ground up with strong size, and the letters are made with this by means of a brush; when the mixture is almost dry, the gold leaf may be laid on, and afterwards burnished. The last method is to mix up some gold powder with size, and make the letters of this by means of a brush.

564. TO PRESERVE STRAWBERRY PLANTS

Sir Joseph Banks, from a variety of experiments, and the experience of many years, recommends a general revival of the now almost obsolete practice of laying straw under strawberry plants, when the fruit begins to swell; by which means the roots are shaded from the sun, the waste of moisture by evaporation prevented, the leaning fruit kept from damage by resting on the ground, particularly in wet weather, and much labour in watering saved. Twenty trusses of long straw are sufficient for 1800 feet of plants.

565. MANAGEMENT OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS

On the management of strawberries in June and July, the future prosperity of them greatly depends; and if each plant has not been kept separate, by cutting off the runners, they will be in a state of confusion, and you will find three different sorts of plants. 1. Old plants, whose roots are turned black, hard, and woody. 2. Young plants, not strong enough to flower. 3. Flowering plants, which ought only to be there, and perhaps not many of them. Before the time of flowering is quite over, examine them, and pull up every old plant which has not flowered; for, if once they have omitted to flower, you may depend upon it they never will produce any after, being too old, and past bearing; but to be fully convinced, leave two or three, set a stick to them, and observe them the next year. If the young plants, runners of last year, be too thick, take some of them away, and do not leave them nearer than a foot of the scarlet, alpines, and wood, and fifteen or sixteen inches of all the larger sorts; and in the first rainy weather in July or August, take them all up, and make a fresh plantation with them, and they will be very strong plants for flowering next year. Old beds, even if the plants be kept single at their proper distance, examine, and pull all the old plants which have not flowered. When the fruit is nearly all gathered, examine them again, and cut off the runners; but if you want to make a fresh plantation, leave some of the two first, and cut off all the rest. Then stir up the ground with a trowel, or three-pronged fork, and in August they will be fit to transplant. If you have omitted in July, do not fail in August, that the runners may make good roots, to be transplanted in September; for, if later, the worms will draw them out of the ground, and the frost afterwards will prevent them from striking root; the consequence of which is, their not flowering the next spring; and you will lose a year.

566. THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

What each flower enumerated, signifies, when sent to a friend or lover.

Almond, flowering—Concealed love.
Althea, Frutex—I am deeply in love.
Amaranth—Immortality, or piety.
Anemone—Fading hope.
Arbor-Vitae—Unchanging friendship.
Auricula, Scarlet—Pride. You are proud.
Bachelor's button—Hope in love.
Balm—I long for your society.
Balsamine—Impatience; or, pray come.
Bay Leaf—I change but in dying.
Box—I believe in your constancy.
Buttercup—Riches. You are rich.
Calla Ethiopica—Magnificent beauty.
Carnation—Pride and Beauty.
Camelia Japonica—Surpassing excellence.
Cedar—Think of me.
China Aster—Caprice.
Cypress—Despair, and without hope.
Dahlia—Dignity—I will sustain it.
Daisy—Youthful beauty.
Dandelion—Coquetry, I accuse you of.
Eglantine—I wound to heal.
Forget-me-not—True love for ever.
Fox-glove—Insincerity. You are false.
Geranium—Gentility and elegance.
Gilly-Flower—Thou art fair.
Golden Rod—Encouragement. You will succeed.
Grass—Submission.
Heart's Ease—Love in idleness.
Heliotrope—Devotion. Let us pray for each other.
Hellebore—Calumny. You have listened.
Hollyhock—Ambition. I seek glory.
Honeysuckle—Dost thou love me?
Houstonia—Content ever with thee.
Hyacinth, Purple—Sorrow. I am sad.
Hydrangea—Heartlessness.
Ivy—Wedded Love. We are happy.
Jasmine, White—I desire a return of my affection.
Larkspur—Haughtiness.
Laurel—Ambition. I will win.
Laurustinus—A token. Pray remember.
Lavender—Acknowledgment.
Lilac—Fastidiousness.
Lily, White—Purity and beauty.
Magnolia—You are beautiful.
Marigold—Jealousy—I have cause.
Mignionette—I live for thee.
Moss—Patience, or pray wait.
Oak-Leaf—Courage. I will endure.
Passion-Flower—Piety. Trust in God.
Periwinkle—Memory. Never forget.
Pink—Household love. I am at home.
Poppy—Forgetfulness.
Primrose—Neglected merit.
Rose—Love, or I love you.
Rue—Disdain. Go: never return.
Saffron—Marriage—when?
Snow-drop—Faithful in adversity.
Thyme—Thriftiness. I am diligent.
Tulip—Beautiful eyes. Look on me.
Violet—I dream of thee.
Willow—Forsaken—never more.
Wheat—Prosperity—I wish thee.
Yew—Penitence. I am sorry.

567. FRENCH POLISH FOR BOOTS, &c.

Logwood chips, half a pound; glue, quarter of an ounce; soft soap, quarter of an ounce; isinglass, quarter of an ounce; boil these ingredients in two pints of vinegar and one of water, during ten minutes after ebulition, then strain the liquid. When cold it is fit for use. To apply the French polish, the dirt must be washed from the boots, &c.; when these are quite dry, the liquid polish is put on with a bit of sponge.