164 THE PLANT WORLD, 



DRYING BOTANICAL DRYERS IN WET WEATHER. 



By F. H. Bur(;lehaus. 



IN his futicle "CoUectin^^ Sets of Plants for Exchange" in the Octo- 

 ber Plant VVori-d, Mr. Hitchcock seems to make no reference to 

 drying papers in damp or cloudy weather. 



It is well known to all who have had much experience in the field, 

 that a several days" stretch wntli no sunshine is most disasterous and 

 will result in many black and discolored specimens — an ''eye sore" to 

 any collector who takes pride in preserving the natural colors, and 

 making^ the most valuable collections. 



But there is a way out of this danger if the collector is willing to 

 do a little disagreeable work. I have preserved many valuable speci- 

 mens and in first class condition, in camp, when there was no sunshine 

 for a week or more at a time. On one occasion while collecting at 

 Deer Lake, Wisconsin, it was a question of taking home discolored 

 and poor specimens or devising some method for drying papers during 

 the rainy weather. Our camp stove was small and would accommo- 

 date but a single sheet at one time, on top, so a frame of sticks was 

 made on all sides and a few inches from the stove, where several thick- 

 nesses of paper could stand on edge and receive the full benefit of the 

 heat. 



Of course it is necessary to watch the papers closely and remove 

 them as soon as dry, to prevent scorching. After a little experience 

 one can tell by touching the paper with the palm of the hand if all 

 moisture has departed. 



In this way sufficient paper was dried to make several nice sets 

 and I felt well repaid for the tedious job, regardless of the many com- 

 plaints from the other members of camp who seemed to dislike more 

 or less the odors of scorched felt. 



When collecting in Western Minnesota one time the use of a farm 

 kitchen was secured for a few hours by offering a nominal inducement 

 to the landlady. A roaring fire in the range with two persons to 

 handle the papers made short work of drying 2500 sheets. It is need- 

 less to say that the kitchen bore a faint (?) odor of scorched wool and 

 the landlady might ask more for such a privilege t-o the next collector. 



Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1900. 



