156 Rhodora [SEPTEMBER 
In July, 1917 we contemplated a long, hard canoe trip in north- 
western Maine, with the collection of plants as our primary object. 
From the start nearly to the finish of our 250 mile journey we realized 
that it would be necessary to depend on what could be carried in two 
canoes, together with what could be obtained from the woods. It 
was obvious that botanical equipment must be reduced to a minimum 
and yet at the same time be absolutely dependable. In view of the 
satisfactory results obtained by the senior writer with d. f. ventilators, 
this part of the equipment was quickly settled upon. A second 
matter demanding attention was the source of heat. With the 
prospect of long, hard days of poling and dragging the canoes upstream 
and of at least one long portage we hesitated about loading down with 
a three weeks supply of oil. So, at the suggestion of the junior 
writer, it was decided to place our dependence om a campfire — with 
what success will be seen. In addition, then, to sundry press frames, 
straps, and specimen papers, our equipment for preparing specimens, 
as finally boiled down, consisted of two hundred d. f. corrugated 
boards, cut with the corrugations running crosswise, fifty Washington 
driers (the purpose of which will be pointed out presently), and an 
abundant supply of matches. Thus armed, we sallied forth into the 
wilderness. 
In the preparation of specimens our general method of procedure 
was somewhat as follows. The freshly collected plants were placed 
in pressing papers and press number one was built up of these plus 
occasional interlarded driers. It will be seen that driers were not 
eliminated completely, but for the most part they were used only in 
connection with this first press, and here primarily to place on either 
side of the heaviest plants, thus protecting their neighbors from undue 
crushing. To a certain extent they were also used between groups 
of specimen sheets and to even up the press. For these purposes 
it was not necessary that they should be thoroughly dried out after 
each application. Press number one was then strapped up tightly 
and set aside for from twelve to twenty-four hours. Ordinarily it 
traveled a day in the canoe, wrapped securely in a waterproof bag. 
At the end of this time it would be unstrapped and the entire bale of 
plants carefully worked over, leaves which were crumpled or out of 
place being straightened or shifted, flowers or fruits being brought 
into due prominence, etc. From the specimens thus treated would 
be built up press number two, this time with a ventilator alternating 
