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 on 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 rfot 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 



