Book 3 — Roses Tinged Blue by Chemicals
Reading edition
Roses may be colored without any detrimental effect by placing their stems in a solution of 100 cubic centimeters of water, 2 grams of saltpeter, and 2 grams of an aniline dye. A centerpiece of roses colored to represent the national colors was made in this way and proved very effective as a table decoration. A convenient way to color the flowers is to place their stems in a test tube containing the mixture.—Contributed by Chester Keene, Hoboken, N. J.