180 



DIRECTIONS FOR DRYING AND PREPARING 

 BOTANICAL SPECIMENS. 



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Provide two or more l)oards about IS inches ])y 12 inclies, and a 

 quantity of unsized paper, old newspai)er3 folded to a size a little 

 smaller than the boards answer fairl,y well, blotting paper is too tender 

 and too expensive, but the felt paper used for placing under carpets is 

 much better, and a single sheet of this between each set of plants is 

 sufficient ; if newspapers are used each should be folded three times, 

 which will give eight sheets between each set of specimens ; lay the 

 specimens on the paper taking care not to overlap them, and it may 

 be found necessary to cut away leaves or twigs from the under side, so 

 that the specimens may lay as flat as possible. When the sheet will 

 hold no more place another similar sheet of paper of eight thicknesses 

 of newspapers or a single sheet if of felt ]3aper over the specimens and 

 proceed as before until a pile of 6 or 8 inches is formed, then place 

 one of the boards underneath and another on the top of the pile and 

 fasten tightly with a strap which shoidd be drawn as tightly as 

 possible. Drying boards formed of crossed Inths about 1 inch by 

 I inch are better than boards as they permit of freer evaporation, but 

 the iron frames are much the best. The great secret of preparing 

 good specimens is to dry tliem as quickly as possible, so that it is 

 necessary to change the jxiper at least once in ever}' 24 hours, drying 

 the papers tJioroughly before using them again. The iron drying- 

 frames with handle for carrying are by far the best, and may be 

 olitained in Capetown, they are very handy, not expensive, and will last 

 for many years When quite dry, the specimens may be placed l:)etweon 

 single sheets of newspapers, but should not overlap each other more 

 than necessary. No specimen should be longer than 16 or broader 

 than 10 inches. A botanical specimen to be complete should include 

 stem or twigs, leaves in position, flowers open and in bud, fruit young 

 and nearly mature, this may not always be possible, but the utmost 

 completeness should be aimed at, mere scraps are of little value and 

 are worse tlian useless, when practicable the whole plant sliould be 

 taken, and wlien necessary cut into two or more pieces, or folded over 

 once or twice, whichever may be most convenient. Trees and slirubs 

 shonld be represented by twigs torn off at the origin, taking care to 

 secure l.)oth flowers and fruit Leaves should be laid flat upon the 

 paper, so as to show clearly their shaj^e and position on the stem, this 

 is often best done at the first changing of the papers, when the 

 specimens have become wilted by evaporation, and lastly each specimen 

 should have attached to it a small piece of paper upon which should 

 be written the popular or scientific name of the plant if known to the 

 collector, date of collection, colour of the flower, habit of the plant, and 



