310 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



PRESSING. 



The sooner plants can be taken from the vasculiim the better. Lay 

 the specimens out as naturally as possible between sheets of news- 

 pai)er. Do not try to spread branches that should not spread natu- 

 rally. Do not turn flower heads erect which ordinarily droop. If 

 the leaves are all on one side of the stem let them remain in their 

 natural position as far as possible'. Do not overcrowd specimens and 

 do not let them overlap when it can be avoided, for when they dry 

 they will stick together and attempts to separate them will probably 

 i-esult in tearing". 



The grasses Avhich have been folded should be placed in the press 

 in such a manner that no ends project. Plants which are too large 

 to fold can be cut into sections, numbered and placed consecutively. 

 Roots which are too heavy to press can be sectioned, leaving one side 

 to show the general character of the surface. Place each newspaper 

 between driers before putting in press. 



Thin flat boards should be placed at intervals in the pack, in order 

 to insure more uniform pressure. When put under the press use 

 light pressure for the first day or so. If the felt driers are used 

 change them frequently, both to prevent moulding and to hasten the 

 drying. The faster floral specimens dry the better they will retain 

 their color. Where the corrugated board is used it is not necessary 

 to change them so often. In general it is advisable to change either 

 drier at least twice in the first twenty-four hours. Leave in the press 

 until thoroughly dry, then tie with cord, date and set aside till time 

 can be had for mounting. 



Always see that the driers are aired and clean, as many specimens 

 are ruined by stains and moulds which are the result of mishandling. 



When plants have once been put in the press the newspapers cover- 

 ing them should not be removed until they are dry. The bruises 

 caused by the press will quickly turn brown upon exposure to the air. 

 The flowers also have a tendency to become dull and turn brown 

 unless handled verj^ carefully. 



MOUNTING. 



^Mounting is also divided into two methods, either one of which is 

 good. The first is known as the glue method. For this it is neces- 

 sary to have a flat bottomed pan larger than the specimens to be 

 mounted, or a piece of window glass, and a pot of cheap glue — pre- 

 ferably Le Page's diluted. The glue is S])read with a brush in a 

 thin layer over the glass and the plant laid upon it. Light pressure 

 should be applied at the loose points to insure their being well coated. 



The position the specimen is to occupy on the sheet should be 

 determined before it is dipped in the glue. After dipping it is placed 

 on the sheet and set to one side. Put a drier over it and continue 

 with the next, piling them on top of each other as finished. A weight 

 should be placed on them overnight, and in the morning they will be 

 ready for filing. Do not omit to place the temporary labels with each 

 specimen. The permanent labels are not added until the plants are 

 mounted. 



