216 Pub. Paget Sound Biol. Sta. Vol. 2, No. 47 



some of these problems, and preparing the way to some extent for a com- 

 mercial enterprise. In the first place progress has been made, specially 

 in Scotland and Canada in using a fan-like apparatus for cleaning the 

 moss. From figures obtained from Rev. Adam Forman, Beattock, Scot- 

 land, the machine used there for cleaning moss will do 16 times as much 

 rtOrk as the people who run it can do by hand. This is the result of sev- 

 eral actual' trials. It thus ajjpears probable that sorting or cleaning the 

 moss can be done at least to some extent, by machiner}-. 



In the second place, in connection with drying the moss, experiments 

 carried on in IMontreal, New York, and Seattle, all more or less inde- 

 pendently of each other, have led to practically the same results, namely, 

 that a successful system of drying sphagnum must take into account the 

 proper adjustment of temperature, humidity and circulation of air. It 

 would appear that artificial heat may be used to advantage and without 

 seriously impairing the usefulness of the moss for surgical dressings if 

 these factors are carefully guarded. 



In the third place if these dressings are manufactured commercially, 

 a modification in the mode of making the pads is essential. It would 

 never pay to make them in the elaborate fashion that the Red Cross has 

 done where free expert assistance was almost unlimited. The writer has 

 experimented sufiiciently at least to satisfy himself that the moss can be 

 prepared quite inexpensively in large sheets which may be varied in thick- 

 ness according to the probable demand on the absorbency of the pad. 

 These sheets can easily be cut into the particular size required and cov- 

 ered in an appropriate manner. 



Finally, the writer wishes to express his appreciation of the efforts of 

 all who have so loyally supported the cause of siihagnum in the North- 

 west. He is particularly indebted to Mrs. Henry Brakel and ]\Iiss Evelyn 

 Gill Klahr for giving instruction in making sphagnum pads in the North- 

 western Division ; to Prof. Albert Sweetser of the University of Oregon, 

 Special Field Agent for the Northwestern Division, for the location and 

 collection of sphagnum in Oregon; to Mr. L. L. Buch, Special Field 

 Agent in Pacific County, Washington, for locating moss and directing the 

 collection ; and to the University of Washington for making it possible for 

 many of the experiments herein recorded to be carried on. 



Bibliography 



During the last four years a considerable number of articles have ap- 

 peared on sphagiium in its relation to surgical dressings, many of them 

 as newspaper articles or local news items, both in Great Britain and 



