ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 37 



can be best secured by exchanging with students in different 

 parts of the country or of other countries. The names of per- 

 sons willing to exchange specimens can be found in the Natural- 

 ist's Directory, published by Casino, Boston, or by inquir- 

 ing of the botanist attached to any college or Experiment 

 Station. The making of good specimens is an art that takes a 

 deal of practice and care to learn, but the following directions 

 will aid the beginner: 



In collecting herbs not over three feet take the whole plant, 

 root and branch. When taller than three feet cut off that much 

 measuring from the top, and in addition dig up the root with 

 such leaves as may be attached. Of shrubs and trees a twig 

 with leaves and flowers will suffice, but a piece of the bark is 

 often necessary to enable one to make out the species. For 

 dryers use common straw wrapping paper in sheets 12x18 

 inches. Place wad, about one inch thick, between the layers of 

 plants. Carefully spread out the leaves and see that the flowers 

 are not covered by them before putting on the dryers. The 

 dryers must be changed every twenty-four hours for the first 

 three days, afterwards every two days until perfectly dry. For 

 a press use lattice-work frames, which any one can make out of 

 a few laths or narrow strips of board. Apply pressure by 

 means of a stout cord or a trunk strap and keep the package in 

 the sunshine or near a stove. The plants will dry out in about 

 a week. 



For more detailed instruction the student is referred to a little 

 work, "The Plant Collector's Hand-book," by Professor W. W. 

 Bailey, published by Cassiuo, price $1. A pamphlet equally 

 as good is Professor L. F. Ward's "Suggestions to Beginners 

 in Botany," which may be had gratis by applying to the Secre- 

 tary of the Suiithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C. 



The following works for reference and general reading can be 

 recommended, and they should be taken up in the order here 

 given, viz. : 



Gray's Manual of Botany of the Northern States. 



Cliapraan's Southern Flora. 



Local Catalogues of Plants. 5 



