THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 25 



six pieces 12 inches and four 18 inches long. Nail together to 

 form a frame 12 by 18 inches; have the heads of the nails on 

 the 18 inch strips and clinch them on the other side. Two 

 frames will be needed for each press, which should contain 

 not more than 25 sheets of plants. For each press get two 

 cords (sash-cord or heavy fish-line 3-16 inch thick, I prefer the 

 latter) with a three inch loop at one end (not a slip-knot) and 

 four feet long. 



A supply of driers is also needed, and fifty should be on 

 hand for each press. Their function is the absorption of water 

 from the fresh plants, and it is important to have them as ab- 

 sorbent as is consistent with expense. Blotting paper may be 

 used but it is expensive. The ordinary material is carpet- 

 paper, costing 5-10 cents per square yard. There are many 

 grades in the market and care should be taken to select a suit- 

 able one, soft, not too thin, and not treated with tar or some 

 other prepartion. A sample will be sent to anyone on request. 

 Each square yard will cut into six driers 12 by 18 inches. 



Folders are needed in which the plants are placed during 

 pressing and where they remain until they are completely dry. 

 Newspapers are as satisfactory as anything. Cut the sheets 16 

 by 22 inches and fold once to 11 by 16 inches. 



Having collected the plants in good condition, lay a frame 

 on the table with the 18 inch strips dozvn; on it place a drier 

 and on it a folder. Inside the folder arrange the plant in as 

 natural a manner as possible. Smooth out some of the leaves, 

 see that some of the flowers will be pressed open, but do not 

 waste too much time trying to make "pretty" specimens. If 

 the specimen is too long for the paper, bend it sharply (not in 

 a curve) ; in this way plants up to 48 inches long may be 

 pressed entire. Add another drier, another folder, and so 

 build up the pile. Place not more than 25, or at most 30, 

 plants in one press. Thick stems may be split before pressing. 



