Evening star., 1944-08-01
Flowers Preserved Indefinitely in Natural CoIors
ByProcess Developed by U.s.. Agriculture Expert
Specimens on DispIoy
At National Museum;
More Viii Be Added
By HARRIET GRIFFITHS.


A process by which the most
delicately tinted wildflower or rain
bow-hued crustacean may be pre-
served indefinitely in its natural
color has been developed by an Ag-
riculture Department scientist here
and specimens are now on display
at the National Museum
This preservation method, cre-
ated by G. r. Fessenden, specialist
in plant preservation. Bureau OF
Plant Industry. Soils and Agricul-
tural Engineering, at Beltsville. is
the first time the fugitive colors in
nature have been preserved" ac-
cording to DR.. Waldo Schmitt, head
curator of biology at the museum.
Until now, scientists using alco-
hol as preservative have con-
tended with faded, yellowed and
often distorted specimens, many of
which would disintegrate at the
slightest jar. There was no way to
depict faithfully the color of a
flower, the effects of plant diseases
or the ravages of pests, because the
ordinary preserved specimen is
brown or discolored. Color photo
graphs or paintings were the only
means Of reproducing natures
colors.
Remain Fresh Looking.
Preserved by the Fessenden proc
ess. a cross section of a strawberry
remains red and fresh looking. Au-
tumn leaves retain their incompar-
able colors. a tiny, brightly colored
hermit crab looks just as it did
when picked up at the seashore in
1889, and a plague-ravaged alfalfa
leaf shows its wounds in meticulous
detail, in clear plastic cases safe
from dust, mildew, insects or me-
chanical injury.
The process begins with the use
of a mild preservative in concen-
trated form, Mr.. Fessenden ex-
planned. The fresh specimen may
either be treated by putting it into
the preserving fluid while still fresh
or it may be pressed carefully and
dried before the preservative is ap-
piled. 1t is cured, preferably under
refrigeration, so plant engines NAV
be rendered inactive.
The specimen is then dehydrated
by the use of a desciccant, or dry
ing agent, to remove any remaining
water. Then it is put into it's final
mount by encasing it between plates
OF moisture-resistant plastic.
Moisture Excluded.
indications are" says Nh. Fes-
senden, who began work on the
process in 1923, that when sealed
into the plastic in such a way that
all free moisture is excluded, pre-
served specimens will retain their
appearance indefinitely under in
door lighting conditions"
The success of the Fessenden
method opens many possibilities for
the future. Science professors may
demonstrate to their students by
actual example the findings of the
past. County agents may show
farmers precisely how to recognize
the beginnings of costly and dam
gerous crop plaques in time to avert
them. A rare or unique orchid or
even a goldfish may be preserved in
its original beauty for posterity.
A poison ivy leaf, preserved in its
disarmingly bright garb, will serve
to educate nature lovers who I'M
Willingly gather the treacherous
foliage to enhance their wild bou-
Quets.
Mounting Problems Remain.
DR.. Schmitt, who is enthusiastic
In his recognition of the process as q
museum aid, comments especially
on the value of having a whole plant
or small cruStacean incased in q
solid block of plastic. a possibility
with the process. The article may
be examined from every side with
out injury. Final raounting prob
Rms, hoTever, are still being worked
out. Mr.. Fessenden says.
Speclments of wild flowers, veoe-
table and fruit cross sections and
diseased plant leafs are included in
the exhibit now at the museum, and
others are expected to be added
when processing is completed.
Most of Mr.. Fessenden's develop
ment work was done in the former
Bureau of Agricultural Chemistry
and Engineering. A complete report
OF his process is now in prepara-
ton. Because of its intricate tech
nique, it is not feasible to give out
too detailed an explanation of the
process until the full report is out.
A condensed description of the
method was presented by Mr.. Fes-
senden recently before the 338th
+ Getting of the Botanical Society of
Washington.
D1.lI