The morning call., 1894-07-29
ABOUT HERBARIUMS.
How TO Gather, Press and Preserve
Plants and Flowers.

lrOWeI Or large p0Cket-knlte dig under
the root, but far enough from it to
avoid cutting 1t; and break the elod of
earth off from the root gently with the
nands. Shake the root as free from soil
as possible, being sure not to injure it in
any way; and if the plant is from a swamp
and the root is muddy. it may be washed
gently in water.
For case in which 10 carry the plants
the best thing is regular bOtanized case;
but tin cracker box will serve, leaving
the card long enough to allow the case to
be carried over the shoulder. Put the
plants in carefully and put the lid on
tight. Plants so taken will remain per-
fectly fresh sufficient time to be eXam-
lned and arranged at home.
Two plants of a kind should be taken if
possible, oDe for pressing and one for an
alysis. A notebook must always be car
ried, in which everything OF interest
relating TO the plants or their habits
should be recorded; the color of flowers,
which, even with the most careful press
ing, is apt to depart, the character Of the
soil. location, etc.
OF large plants it is often impo ssible to
take the whole in one piece. In such
cases specimens of all the parts-root,
stem, leaves, flowers and fruit-must be
secured; and for woody plants and trees
the flower and leaf-bearing twigs should
be collected. lr the leaves vary on differ
eHt parts of the plant the different forms
should be collected. And if the bark is
characteristic portion of that should be
stripped off also.
A good press is made of two pine boards,
II by Is inches, having each two cleats on
one side, one across near each end. The
plants are pressed between these boards
by means of stout strap; or better still
by bolt and nut sCrewing the boards TO-
gether a each corner.
The best driers for plants are made of
bOtting-paper cut into sheets II by 16
inches, but as these are expensive very
good drieTs may be made from the heavy
felt paper which is used to put under
carpets. Several thicknesses of old
newspapers will answer the purpose if
nothing better is 10 be had. The plants
themselves are placed between thin papers
cut to the same size as the Griers. What
is known as grocers' teapaper is perhaps
the best for this. but old newspapers an
swer the purpose very well.
The greatest care should be taken in Law
ing the specimens out, to see that no part
prOtTudeS beyond the edge of the paper.
When plants are stiff and unmauageable
they may be kept in place by means of
narrow strips Of gummed paper pasted
across rebellious stems or petioleS.
To press. two or three drlers are placed
upon one of the boards, cleat side down,
ana then a sheet of he thin paper upon
which to arrange the plant. Thick, feshy
roots, tubers and the like should be cut in
half lengthways and part of the inside
removed. In the case Of flowers with
very quick centers like the cane flower or
the mandrake, a small piece OF thin paDer
with a mole in the middle is placed upon
the flower, and cotton put around the CEN
ter IN order to obtain the necessary pres
sure upon the petals When the plant is
satisfactorily arranged, place another thin
paper over it, then two drlers, and pro-
ceed with another plant as before. 1t is
best tC place the plants on alternate sides
as much as possible to keep the pile from
being too uneven.
When the press is full, or all the plants
to be pressed are arranged, place two or
three drierS on top and then the second
board. and strap or screw together.
The plants must not remain in press the
first time more than twentY-fOur hours,
and fleshy plants should not be allowed to
remain that long.
AS general rule tits best TO change the
driers at he end of twelve hours, and
after this change once day for four or
five days, after which they may be left
under hard pressure two or three days,
when they will be dry.
When changing the driers the plants in
the thin paper must not be disturbed
Place the press before you with pile of
fresh dTieTS at your left. Remove the
upper press board, and place upon it two
fresh drlers lift the thin plants carefully
to the new pile, and add two more fresh
driers aDd continue till all driers are
changed.
No amount of curiosity should allow one
to open the thin papers TO look at the
plants, as the specimens are almost sure to
be IN jured by so doing.
The wet drers may be dried in the sun
or in a warm oven, leaving the door open
for the n DISTURB 10 escape.
TIE first pressure of the plants should
be quite light. The next tighter, and at
each succeeding change tighter still.
When the plants are finally removed from
the press they may be laid aside q week
or more in their thin papers, when they
are not ready to mount. but ready to pre-
pare to mount, for there still remains a
little work to do.
All specimens should be accompanied
by labels giving both common and scien-
tific names, date of collection, location.
ETC., and also number or letter referring
to the analysis which should always be
kept in specimens
The last preServatiVe process which the
plants must undergo is poisoning. This
cannot be omitted if the heTbarium is In
have any permanent value. for the speci
mems are certain to be destroyed by in
sec:S if they are not poisoned.
The best preparation is one ounce of
corrosive Sublimate dissolved in one ouart
of alcohol diluted % per cent. Fill
large platter with the mixture and din the
entire specimen therein, handling it with
tweeZers ana letting it drip before LAYING
il aside
The plant must be placed immediately
in dry ps ueTs, between driers one change
being sufficient. Ii any of the corrosive
sublimate touches the hands rub on AT
once little sweet oil, which will prevent
it burning the skin.
To mount the specimens heavy white
paper or light white Bristol board shonld
be used to the size of 16x11 inches. There
are two methods of mounting specimens
by gluing aud by gummed strips.
The latter is the better one for The he
ginner, since If mistakes are made the
plants may be taken Off To make the
gummed paper, use heavy writing-paper
without lines, and give it TWO coats Cf
good mucilage. putting on the second coat
after the first is dry. The paper should
be pinned down on some fiat surface (the
ironing board will do) while il
dries, and it may then be laid awav he
tween the pages of a book TO prevent its
curling up. Cut the strip not more than
one-fOurth of an inch wide, and usually
not more than half this. These strips are
ther cut into bits the required length.
three-fourths of an inch being the usual
length.
Adjust the specimens to the sheet on
which it is to be mounted, moisten the
strips ard place whenever they are required
10 make the plant secure Cleveland
Leader.