The next process in shaping is that of `goffer ing,' or ',muffing,' by means of which the hollow form is given to petals. For hollowing petals, the gofTering-iron is simply it polished iron ball, mounted on an iron wire in a handle. It is heated and waxed, the petal is placed on a cush ion, and the iron pressed against it A variety of other forms of are used. such as prismatic rods and bent wires.
The stamens are made of C0/1 VAC yellow thread on which corn-meal is gummed. The centres of daisies are usually of wool and cotton dyed yel low. Flowers are put together wholly by hand. and are built up from the centre; the pistils and stamens are tied in a linnet' to a piece of wire: the petals are arranged in order. and pasted; then the sepals of the calyx are pasted Outside of these, and further secured by whiling fine thread or silk round the lower parts. Other wires are inclosed with this thread, and form the stalk, which is bound round with green tissue paper; and at proper intervals !he leaves are inserted by means of fine wires, to which they are hound, the ends of these wires being bound in and in corporated with the stalk, and concealed by the green paper. or a green rubber tubing may be
used for the stems. Buds are made of taffeta, tinted, and stiffened, and stuffed with cotton. When a variation of tint is desired on a petal it is colored with a brush. The petals are taken directly from the cutter to the artist, who per forms his work with great deftness and rapidity. Twenty or thirty petals are spread out on a tray. and the artist touches up one after another with the paint prepared for the purpose.
Besides the flowers copied from nature, there is a considerable demand for what are called 'fancy flowers,' most of which are invented by the manufacturer to use up waste and spoiled fragments originally designed for better pur poses. Flowers suitable for mourning are pre pared by coating leaves, flowers, etc., with strong gum, and then ducting upon them powdered galena. This substance, a sulphnret of lead. is formed naturally in lustrous cubic crystals of a dark-gray color, and however finely it is pow dered, the fragments still tend to retain the same shape and surface, and thus present a number of flat glittering facets. It is used in like manner for cheap jewelry.