Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation below, not the original instructions.
Flower and Fern Basket
From The household (of the Detroit free press), 1886
Serves 1
A block of wood under the basket prevents moisture damage to the table.
A modern interpretation · AI-generated from the original record
Ingredients
- a light frame of any shape liked
- the moss
- a tin or other vessel
- either wet sand or water
- a block of wood about an inch thick
Method
Make a light frame of wire and cover it with well-cleaned moss.
Attach a handle made in the same manner.
Place a tin filled with wet sand or water inside to hold flowers.
Dip the structure in water every few days to preserve freshness.
As published
This recipe was extracted from The household (of the Detroit free press) (1886) by Goff, May Perrin,, page 77. The excerpt below is the record exactly as published.
The moss should also be extended over the top of the basket after setting out young ferns, which may be found in any of the damp, mossy parts of the woods. The basket when pre- pared should be kept somewhat shaded and the moss should be daily 88 FERNS. dampened. The bottom and splints of the basket should be painted in green, as violent contrasts in flowers are not preferable. When moss is not available, grass sod may be substituted for the basket-lining, and' other plants be substituted for the ferns. Very beautiful baskets for flowers and ferns can be made of the longer and more feathery kinds of mosses. These look very beautiful, especially the wild flowers, when clustered in this delicate and soft green nest, which can be made to preserve its freshness and brilliancy for many months. A light frame of any shape liked, should be made of wire, and the moss, which should first be well picked over and cleansed from any bits of dirt or dead leaves which may be hanging about it, gathered into little tufts and sewed with a coarse needle and thread to the covering, so as to clothe it thickly with a close and com- pact coating, taking care that points of the moss are all outward. A long handle made in the same manner should be attached to the basket and a tin or other vessel, filled with either wet sand or water, placed within to hold the flowers. By dipping the whole structure into water once in three or four days, its verdure and elasticity will be fully preserved, and a block of wood about an inch thick
Cook this with the app: pantry check, scaling, and the assistant.