28 



CIRCULAR NO. 126, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. 



addition, the amateur or professional collector ^\dll find a light pick * 

 very serviceable in a rocky soil. This is about 10 inches long and 

 constructed similar to a mattock, but with one end pointed like a 

 pickax and weighing only about !{ pounds in addition to the handle. 

 If the pick is made by a blacksmith, he should be instructed to forge 

 the shank into which the handle is wedged not less than H inches in 

 length. 



The collecting case. — For those who are collecting j)lants in the field 

 two methods are available, a third method, that of carrying a press 

 and driers and putting the plants in as collected, being discarded by 

 most of the experienced collectors. First, for short trips on which it 



Fig. L— a collecting portfolio, bundle of plants in press, plant digger and case, and folding stove used 

 in drying plants, with collapsible smokestack In canvas carrying cases. 



is expected to obtain only a few plants a collecting box may be used. 

 This is made of tin and is cylindroid in form, with a cover hinged on 

 the side, and is carried by a strap attached at the ends. 



For more extended trips or one on which it is expected to obtain a 

 large number of specimens some foiTQ of collecting portfolio is pref- 

 erable. (Fig. 2.) A very satisfactory one may be constructed from 

 two pieces of heavy binder's board or leather board, measurmg 12 by 

 17 inches. To the long edge (the back) of one, near each end, should 

 be riveted a buckle, and to the correspondmg portion of the other 

 board should be riveted two straps about 6 inches long. Thus, the 

 two parts when buckled together have a back adjustable to the num- 

 ber of specimens obtained. To the middle of the upper side of one 



' These tan he obtained from hotanical supply companies at a cost of about $1.75 each. 

 ICir. lliUJ 



