This most effective flower should be made thus: Select about twelve
petals, gum the edge, draw over edge, let them dry, then gum the small
bulb at base of pistil and stamens (called the “heart,”) pass the stem
of this through the opening of petals, draw down tightly, and let remain
for a few minutes to dry, cover the stem with pale green paper, slightly
bend the pistil and stamens that they may incline towards the central
petal of the flower. A piece of strong wire about nine inches long is
required on which to mount the flowers and leaves; arrange three flowers
on the top of this with their backs to each other, leaving the flower
stalk about two inches in length, tie this with silk, roll a little stem
paper round and then place on three scales, cut from palest brown stem
paper; other three flowers should be placed between those already fixed
a little lower down. This order of arranging the flowers to be observed
until the truss of flowers is complete. Cover the stem with brown stem
paper and arrange the leaves, beginning with the small ones in the same
manner as directed for the flowers, only that each leaf should be a
little lower down than the last; they will require coloring, and for
this use burnt sienna and Prussian blue, applied with a tinting brush,
afterwards using the polishing brush; this will give them the gloss
observable in the natural leaf. Many of the rhododendrons are made of
plain colored petals, but their beauty is much enhanced by spotting
them; the process is simple, and the direction for one will do for all,
only varying the color used. Select the crimson with dark spots. Take in
the hand a stamped flower, and having mixed some carmine, take a tinting
brush and apply to the three uppermost petals, taking care that the
color becomes lighter towards the edge and deepening towards the center.
Now mix a little violet (moist) with carmine, and mark the spots as
desired; this must be done with a small sable brush. White rhododendrons
spotted with yellow and brown, or lilac with green spots, make very
striking varieties.