348 THE FLORIST. 



REVIEW. 



The Fern Collector s Album. 



A handsome quarto portfolio bearing this title has just been published 

 by Mr. Hardvvicke of Piccadilly. It is tastefully bound " in scarlet 

 and gold, with blank leaves, on which dried specimens may be fastened 

 by the collector ; and short accounts of the structure, habitation, and 

 cultivation of each species on the opposite page." It therefore offers an 

 excellent inducement for us to turn our country rambles to a profitable 

 account. Ferns retain in a dried state their original beauty, both of 

 form and colour, better than most plants. A. portfolio like the one 

 now under notice, when filled, may therefore be made a source of real 

 delight, not only to the possessor, but to others. 



In the preface we find the following useful instructions respecting 

 Fern drying, which we extract for the encouragement of beginners. 



" To those who have not already made botanical collections, we would 

 give the following simple directions for their guidance : — Before you 

 leave home, get any carpenter to plane you two deal boards, about half 

 an inch thick, a foot wide, and a foot and a half long ; between these, 

 place one or two quires of Bentall's drying paper, which may be bought 

 at almost any stationer's, or, if unattainable, common blotting paper 

 and old newspapers will answer very well. Round the boards put two 

 narrow but strong leather straps, which cost about a shilling each ; 

 these must be drawn as tightly as possible, and will secure a great 

 amount of pressure on the plants inside; and the whole may be strapped 

 on the top of a box in travelling, so as not to take up much room. In 

 gathering the Ferns, cut them as low down the stem as possible, and, 

 in small specimens, get up the root if you can. In putting them to dry 

 in the blotting paper, have respect to the natural position of the Fern, 

 and also to the size of the sheet of paper on which they are to be finally 

 placed. When the fronds are long, or the specimens large, they may 

 be bent so as to lie in a smaller space than they otherwise could, and, 

 if dried in a certain position, will retain the form easily. It is best at 

 first to make the pressure lightly, so as to alter the form of the plant 

 if needful before it is completely dried ; then increase the pressure day 

 by day until the specimens are ready to remove. Ferns dry quickly 

 and easily, and may without injury be kept in the drying paper for 

 some time ; when, however, they are removed for putting down finally, 

 they should be secured by thin little strips of gummed paper, which is 

 best prepared beforehand by covering a sheet of note paper with a 

 strong solution of gum, which, when dry, may be kept for a long time 

 ready for use : the thinner the strips are cut the better, so as to hold 

 the parts of the plant in their right position. This plan is preferable 

 to gumming the whole plant or portions of it, as the little slips can at 

 any time be removed with a pen-knife, without injuring the paper or 

 book in which they are fixed, should there be occasion to remove the 

 specimens. In drying your Ferns, be careful to change the blotting 

 paper two or three times a week, so as to remove any dampness ; and 

 dry your paper in the sun, or before the fire, very often. It is best to 



