This is an outline of our process when we would change the form of
flowers:
A slip from a plant, according to the kind of flower desired, is placed
in a flower-pot filled with mould, the bottom of which can be unscrewed
and removed at pleasure.
As soon as the slip has taken root, and the smallest fibres have sprung
from the stem of the plant, the form of the desired flower is made out
of a piece of ravine metal as thin as a piece of silk.
This metal-flower, after immersion in a solution which attracts the
particular electricity to be used, is enclosed in a hollow block of the
same metal, corresponding to the flower form, from which it rises in a
shape somewhat like that of a funnel, till it ends in a very fine point
or orifice as fine and as hollow as the finest hair. This point is
inserted in the root of the plant.
Underneath the metal-flower form is placed a bag of sympathetic
electricity, and the mouth of the bag is so arranged as to fit closely
round the form of the metal-flower in such a way that the electricity
has no escape but into the hollow metal block and through its fine,
hollow point. The metal point, previously to its insertion in the root
of the plant, is prepared with a solution to prevent the escape of any
of the electricity through its pores.
As soon as the bag is opened the electricity is attracted into the metal
form, and having no other escape, proceeds instantaneously through the
funnel and through the hair-tube into the plant. In doing this, it
retains the form implanted by its contact with the metal model, and by
the forced passage through which it has become married with another
electricity.
As soon as it is attracted by the solution with which the inside of the
metal is covered, a shock is produced which materially assists the
operation, by causing the electricity to imprint itself with greater
force and certainty on the embryo plant with which you will recollect
the hair-point has been connected.
It is essential that the charge should be sufficiently strong to modify
or overpower the electricity already existing in the plant, in order to
change the form which this would otherwise take; but, at the same time,
care is taken that the charge is not too powerful, for in that case, and
particularly if an antipathetic electricity be employed, the flower
would be instantly killed. The electricity is therefore applied in
gentle proportions at first, and then the operation is repeated several
times.